Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[GoofGoof]

Sounds like the bare bare bare basics. Your numbers are exactly what I was thinking.

I forgot landscaping too. They need to at least keep the lawns mowed and weeds down. Bugs could become a problem quickly if they don’t stay on top of it.

 

[thomas998]

In regards to the current times, I know some who are stress eating, drinking and or smoking. It is definitely not the way to go. The last time I went on a Disney cruise I could not believe the amount of food options on the ship and the massive quantities of food guests were consuming. I can see if the ships even get into operation this year that the buffet option while very popular will not be pile as much food on your Mt Everest plate. It would be served and dished out by the crew. Eating less when you really need to be is always a good thing. I learned that over the years, not when I was 40 pounds heavier back in the day.

The reality is you get bored on a cruise because there isn't enough stuff to keep you occupied during the slow trip from point A to point B. Only so much time you can spend in a pool or wasting time listening to an act that is only a step above what you would find in a high school talent show. I suspect more eating is just because your bored than anything else. Stick me on a cruise ship and I'll eat 3 times a day.. let me exist on land and I may get so busy on things I'm working on that I will forget eat for a day and rarely eat 3 meals a day. Cruise ship just kind of cause you to behave like cattle, you know your supposed to go eat breakfast so you do whether you are really hungry or not, and it happens with each meal you just kind of follow what you think is expected which seems to be eat eat eat.

And I'm curious as to whether self serve buffets will ever return before a vaccine is out. I know I used to always be leary of using spoons and tongs that god knows who touched before me... but now that there is a known virus floating around I can't see a lot of people feeling safe going to buffets.

 

[Polynesia]

43,000 Walt Disney World Union Cast Members to be Furloughed April 19th; Full Details Released

Walt Disney World news, photos, and reviews! We provide you with daily news from the Walt Disney World theme parks and beyond

blogmickey.com

Here are the announced details, per the STCU:

• Everyone’s job, seniority, wage rate and benefits are guaranteed through the furlough, even if you stay on furlough after Disney reopens. Seniority continues indefinitely beyond 12 months.
• Everyone who has insurance will keep it for the duration of the furlough up to 12 months, including both full-time
  workers as well as part-time workers who qualify under the Affordable Care Act.
• Insurance means all insurance benefits: medical, dental, life, etc. with no exceptions.
• Disney will pay 100% of your insurance. You will not owe back payments when you return to work.
• For insurance eligibility and pension contributions, full-time workers will be credited 40 hours per week during the furlough. Part-time workers will get credit for their weekly average hours worked since October 2019.
• If you are a new worker, you can choose insurance after your 90-day probation just as you had planned.
• If you come back from an approved Leave of Absence during the furlough, you are covered by the Union’s
  agreement.
• If you have a qualifying life event, you can get insurance. Example, if you had insurance through your spouse but
  your spouse loses their job, you can enroll in Disney insurance. The same is true for a divorce or the birth of a
  child.
• If the furlough continues until the next open enrollment period in 2020, you will be able to choose insurance.
• Vacation, Floating Holidays and Paid Time Off (part-time employees): From April 12-18, you can choose to have it
  paid out weekly up to 40 hours per week until it is gone.
• Full-time employees can also choose to be paid out accumulated sick days above 96 hours.
• Other basic programs continue: HUB access, Aspire, Maingate, etc.
• If you are in a job that requires certain skills or proficiencies, the Company cannot say you lose them.
• A small group of less than 200 workers will do “essential” duties during the closure. The work will be offered to
  volunteers by seniority. If not enough people volunteer, the work will be assigned to the least senior workers. If
  you have a legitimate health, safety, childcare or other reason you cannot work, you will not be forced to work
  and you will not be penalized. You will remain on furlough.
• If any worker covered by Disney insurance needs COVID-19 testing, Disney insurance will pay for it.

I think most CM’s were interested in seniority and benefits. This is a decent deal for the cast members.

 

[MisterPenguin]

The Costly Toll of Not Shutting Down Spring Break Earlier (Published 2020)

People got sick — and some died — after attending crowded parties and theme parks in Florida as the coronavirus spread.

www.nytimes.com

 

[zengoth]

And I'm curious as to whether self serve buffets will ever return before a vaccine is out. I know I used to always be leary of using spoons and tongs that god knows who touched before me... but now that there is a known virus floating around I can't see a lot of people feeling safe going to buffets.

Single-sided buffets (like at Boma) can have CMs on the other side dishing things out. Other buffets that sit on an island (like deserts at the Tusker House) will probably have to be re-thought.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

 

[peter11435]

Between security and animal care there’s not much left for maintenance. I would have thought at least 200 just for security with 30+ hotels, 4 parks, 2 water parks, Disney Springs and all of the behind the scenes buildings. It’s a lot to protect.

Security and maintenance are not covered by this union

This 200 does not account for all positions considered essential that will remain.

 

[zengoth]

In general, every business who wants to become a leader in the pick-up/delivery aspect needs to step up their game. I've heard troubles about Instacart in several parts of my area (Tampa Bay), due to lack of supplies in store; Target has been pushing "pick up", but today we found out we don't get the "they come to our car" service, we have to go into the store to pickup, which kinds of defeats the purpose (partially). Restaurants that already have drive-thru will do better than those that don't - and the smart ones (probably the franchises) will start making some permanent changes to their facilities in order to stay profitable. Mom and pop restaurants (I am thinking about diners, which i love) will need better ways to package food for take-out, imo. I am coming home with cold food too many times, unfortunately.

 

[George]

I had not thought of hydraulic systems needing to be drained. I wonder what the impact will be on the AAs of long term stationary. Hall of presidents comes to mind.

Its sad if they can't move around and whatnot. I know that many of the animatronics like to take advantage of socialization time which, at best, is a couple of early morning hours. Now, they have the possibility of day time gatherings in some instances. To think that the "masters" have taken this opportunity away is unfathomable. They may have to dust off the ole "Westworld" contingency if the animatronics ever find out about this missed opportunity to finally psychologically decompress from what have to be unrewarding jobs.

 

[GoofGoof]

Security and maintenance are not covered by this union

That makes more sense. The numbers weren’t adding up otherwise. I would imagine quite a few security people still have to be working otherwise some idiot blogger would be posting videos from inside a closed WDW.

 

[monykalyn]

I agree - there are other factors in play. Population density and use of public transportation come to mind. Atlanta is a major airport with lots of international flights, but it's pretty hard to live in the area without a car, so most people who can afford one, have one. That is not true of Manhattan.

was reading about viral load and severe CV19 cases have a much higher viral load. I’d expect that goes hand in hand with population density too. I haven’t been able to find just what the threshold is though for a sure infection to take place. Even on the cruise ships not 100% of passengers had infections, and that’s with the presymptomatic/asymptomatic suspects being proposed high spreaders.

Eventually yes, by June no.

. Opinion is not fact. So far every model has peak by May. What would be the point in extending beyond June? Not totally open but why not start phased slow openings?

The actual amount of money small businesses are getting individually is pretty small.

This, plus the ripple effect. The way my husbands LLC for being independent contractor is structured we may qualify for the $10k small business loan that will be forgiven- but he lost at least double that with commission, bonus, plus with economy down it’s doubtful right now business will pick back up in the fall to previous levels of income. He got denied unemployment although that may have been due to MO system being rather far behind the curve in getting its updates from the feds.

My middle kid is due to start UCF in the fall- the freshman orientation is all virtual all summer, but as far as the updates the school has sent they plan to resume in person classes in the fall. Term starts late August.

virtual hugs to all who are dealing with this, stay safe and well!

 

[John park hopper]

I may be mistaken many contracts have a completion date when the job goes beyond th

I have a question for anyone that might know the answer. I've been social distancing for a month now. If I do not get infected, will I be at a higher risk when things open back up and I start being around groups again?

I would think since you were not sick you therefore do not have antibodies to the virus thus you still have the potential to become infected if you are around people who are asymtom

 

[flynnibus]

The reality is you get bored on a cruise because there isn't enough stuff to keep you occupied during the slow trip from point A to point B. Only so much time you can spend in a pool or wasting time listening to an act that is only a step above what you would find in a high school talent show

How many cruises have you done?

 

[marni1971]

The grounds, interior and exterior of the buildings will look like #@&%..

They are already.

The reality is you get bored on a cruise because there isn't enough stuff to keep you occupied during the slow trip from point A to point B..

That’s opinion, not reality.

 

[peter11435]

How many cruises have you done?

I’m guessing none.

 

[peter11435]

They are already.

any examples?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Why did all the sponsors leave?

Well.... Turner Classic Movies left because Disney chose to cancel their sponsorship and focus on a modern Disney IP...

Also true. For the most part the company is now more concerned with promoting its own IP’s, brands, and products and not those of others.

Also... Siemens wanted to stay correct?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

This, plus the ripple effect. The way my husbands LLC for being independent contractor is structured we may qualify for the $10k small business loan that will be forgiven- but he lost at least double that with commission, bonus, plus with economy down it’s doubtful right now business will pick back up in the fall to previous levels of income. He got denied unemployment although that may have been due to MO system being rather far behind the curve in getting its updates from the feds.

Yes. I may or may not get any money through small business / unemployment. Not sure yet. Either way I’m out $550 a month on an office I can’t even use, plus I’ve lost at least 3 months of work.

 

[Polynesia]

I have a question for anyone that might know the answer. I've been social distancing for a month now. If I do not get infected, will I be at a higher risk when things open back up and I start being around groups again?

Reports are coming out that many more people have had it than is being reported. I’ve also read some people might be immune. So maybe you’re one of the lucky ones who won’t be as susceptible to it? So many unknowns. I plan on still taking sensible precautions until I’m tested for the antibody.

 

[xdan0920]

Exactly. Most small to medium businesses need the initial money just to survive for this time period. It won’t cover them if this gets extended or the customers don’t come back when they reopen.

The actual amount of money small businesses are getting individually is pretty small.

The actual amount of money small businesses are getting isn't "small" it's non-existent so far. The PPP has turned out to be a complete disaster in roll out. Businesses are dying on the vine because our government and banks are screwing up so badly.