Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[JohnD]

Or option C which is don’t open the parks until there isn’t a need for masks.

Give me a mask already. I'm ready to go back!

 

[robhedin]

First amusement park in United States is opened! A amusement park in Pigeon Force with attractions, rides, and arcades open and operating!


Hopefully this sets a precedent for other regional parks to open (Six flags, Cedar Fair, and other independents) and will put pressure on Universal and Disney to open as well.

The Island in Pigeon Forge doesn't qualify (to me, at least) as an amusement park - it's a restaurant/retail/hotel space that has a ferris wheel, an arcade, a carousel, and one of those "trains" that hauls kids around a mall.

The rest of Pigeon Forge has a few more arcades, go cart tracks, etc. Those were largely operating, but the "main" attractions are still shut down- Dollywood, shows, Aquarium, Ripley's, etc.

They were still somewhat busy this past weekend, however. Not packed like they usually are, but steady.

 

[jaklgreen]

Or option C which is don’t open the parks until there isn’t a need for masks.

That is also an option. I feel that if they think that it is safe enough to open up, then it should be safe enough for people to go around without masks on.

 

[Bill in Atlanta]

My point is that it is easy to say that people should have to wear masks to the parks when you are not the one who will be walking around all day in them. The whole "well if you don't like it, don't go" argument is besides the point and is what someone says when they don't have a valid counter argument to the discussion. He needs to make decisions, not only to appease the people who are concerned, but also those who will be there and don't feel like they want to wear a mask for whatever reason. Wearing masks is not conducive to spending a whole day at the parks. The masks will be taken on and off continuously throughout the day, kids will get fed up with them and throw them on the ground, etc. Wearing a mask when you go out and about to the stores is nothing like wearing one all day in the Florida summer. Instead of saying that everyone needs to wear a mask and those who don't like do not have to go. We can easily say that masks are not required and that anyone that is that concerned should stay home.

On this note, I saw where Theme Park Review is blocking people on FB if they say they won’t want to wear a mask in the summer heat. It’s his page so he can do whatever he wants, but it’s crazy how emotionally invested people have gotten over masks.

 

[GoofGoof]

It's debatable if there's a need for masks...

It's more like if you feel you need it then you're free to do so.

Whether any guest thinks masks are required or not is irrelevant. It’s private property. If Disney says masks are required they are required. They call the shots. The only recourse any customer has is to not go.

 

[natatomic]

Accidentally posted this in another thread that I meant to post it here.
Just got this email from Island H2O Water Park just down the road from DAK, and I’m pretty sure it’s in Osceola county, which still has a mask mandate.
It looks like they’re going to open on June 1st. I don’t know how that will work if the mask mandate is still in place or if they have insider info that the mandate will be lifted by then.

 

[GoofGoof]

That is also an option. I feel that if they think that it is safe enough to open up, then it should be safe enough for people to go around without masks on.

I agree. I also think there’s still a decent chance that’s exactly what happens. Disney waits until the vast majority of the country is in phase 3 and then deems it not necessary to require masks so opens without a requirement. Masks could be both allowed and encouraged but not required and might even still be provided by Disney in that scenario for anyone who still wants to use them. CMs might still be required. The mask thing comes from the rush to open faster.

 

[BaconPancakes]

So WDW will not be open June 1st and masks will definitely be required per Chapek? So many people eating crow right about now...

 

[JohnD]

I agree. I also think there’s still a decent chance that’s exactly what happens. Disney waits until the vast majority of the country is in phase 3 and then deems it not necessary to require masks so opens without a requirement. Masks could be both allowed and encouraged but not required and might even still be provided by Disney in that scenario for anyone who still wants to use them. CMs might still be required. The mask thing comes from the rush to open faster.

Whenever WDW opens and the requirement is guests wear masks, you can be sure there will be a number of guests who will happily do so and Disney will gladly offer $24.99 masks for purchase.

 

[jaklgreen]

Whether any guest thinks masks are required or not is irrelevant. It’s private property. If Disney says masks are required they are required. They call the shots. The only recourse any customer has is to not go.

That is true, but we have to ask, if it's not safe enough to go to the parks without personal protection gear, then why are they opening? Or are the doing this just for "show" like the security.

 

[GoofGoof]

Whenever WDW opens and the requirement is guests wear masks, you can be sure there will be a number of guests who will happily do so and Disney will gladly offer $24.99 masks for purchase.

They better order some more masks then. The ones on shop disney are backordered until July 29. I wonder if that’s a clue about when the parks will open

 

[JohnD]

They better order some more masks then. The ones on shop disney are backordered until July 29. I wonder if that’s a clue about when the parks will open

Either that or we're already too preconditioned that people are buying them to the point they are selling out. Sad commentary that Disney masks are on back order.

 

[Polynesia]

That is true, but we have to ask, if it's not safe enough to go to the parks without personal protection gear, then why are they opening? Or are the doing this just for "show" like the security.

You can say that about every business that opens. Getting a haircut now requires both stylist and customer to wear a mask. Where I go they also require both to sanitize their hands before and after service.

 

[Polynesia]

They better order some more masks then. The ones on shop disney are backordered until July 29. I wonder if that’s a clue about when the parks will open

I put an order in and my date was end of June. They must be selling quickly.

 

[JohnD]

I put an order in and my date was end of June. They must be selling quickly.

Either that or we're already too preconditioned that people are buying them to the point they are selling out. Sad commentary that Disney masks are on back order.

 

[jaklgreen]

It's mostly security theatre. *I hope I do not get banned for expressing this opinion, but i didn't bring the topic up* but if you're at risk or fear you are don't go. A mask will not be helpful if you're at one of the busiest theme parks on earth.

I have to agree with you in that everyone should be proactive in their own health and safety. We have all be staying at home and "flattening the curve", now it is up to individual people to do what makes them comfortable and safe. I think it is nuts to go to WDW, even wearing a mask, if a person is worried about getting sick. Those are the people that need to stay away until they deem it to be safe for themselves. Because this is just giving some people a false sense of security. I rather they say that masks are optional that way people decide if they want to risk it. We all know that people are going to be taking their masks off at every opportunity that they can get. "Oh, I need a drink", off comes the mask, etc.

 

[jaklgreen]

You can say that about every business that opens. Getting a haircut now requires both stylist and customer to wear a mask. Where I go they also require both to sanitize their hands before and after service.

But can we really compare a vacation to WDW with spending under an hour getting your hair cut? Most people will be flying in, staying at a hotel, and spending hours out in the heat.

 

[Polynesia]

But can we really compare a vacation to WDW with spending under an hour getting your hair cut? Most people will be flying in, staying at a hotel, and spending hours out in the heat.

Yes, we can. The original point was should they open if you have to wear a mask. And that goes for most businesses. Even an office job can be a risk now. People spend nine hours there wearing a mask. I agree traveling on a plane is risky to me. It’s up to each person if they think the risk is worth it. But I see your point

 

[Disney Analyst]

Oh I totally agree Disney can setup any policy's they feel they need to protect from liability (like security at the entrance of parks). But it seems difficult to enforce and others in the amusement park field might have other policy's that some customers might like better, thus competing with Disney.

I doubt Disney would cause a massive scene and ban a guest because they or their kid didn't wear a face mask. Also some people with might have issues wearing one (Asthma, some people with autism, ect).

I can understand someone with Autism or the like, not being able to wear a mask, or at least not leaving one on... but as someone who has many friends with Asthma, including my fiance, I can't imagine a mask making any difference, unless you are taking it off due to an Asthma attack, and then that is a completely different ball game. Just unsure if that is reason enough to not require them for the majority?

Hospitals have required patients to wear masks the entire time they are in the hospital, and I'm not hearing or seeing any data on preexisting conditions that necessitate those patients not wearing masks? I'm sure there are outliers, but it is by no means a majority that would cause Disney to not require masks by guests. It seems to only be some hypothetical reasoning brought up on these boards to showcase why masks won't happen or won't work...

But so far, all facts are pointing to Disney requiring masks for all people in the parks. Unsure why these hypotheticals matter, Disney will have already gone over all these questions and will have a plan in place to address concerns.

 

[Lilofan]

Yes, we can. The original point was should they open if you have to wear a mask. And that goes for most businesses. Even an office job can be a risk now. People spend nine hours there wearing a mask. I agree traveling on a plane is risky to me. It’s up to each person if they think the risk is worth it. But I see your point

If Chapek says guests and cast to wear face masks, surely the leaders up and down the supply chain will follow and it's their job to train, educate, implement to their team members. Team members are their to implement to guests. Managers on duty, Security and law enforcement are on duty to assist if there are incidents that need to be addressed with them.