News Expect closure of Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland to impact Walt Disney World

[Lilofan]

Rather than closing parks it would make more sense to do what China is doing for entry to certain areas and checking for fevers and not allowing entry to people with fevers.

Evidence from an interview that I think was posted in the other thread from an expert that went to China as part of a WHO mission suggests that asymptomatic transmission isn't happening typically. Therefore a sane containment strategy is to keep people with symptoms common to the virus away from uninfected people.

It seems the vast majority of transmission was found to be within families that are in close contact for long durations.

For an unknown reason this virus doesn't seem to have almost any serious cases amongst children. It has, by far, the most serious cases amongst the elderly. The elderly are definitely the smallest demographic at WDW (or any theme park). Perhaps just recommending that the elderly postpone trips would be enough of a precaution.

Even though the elderly are a small demographic that visit WDW, there is a contingent of elderly that live and at times work in the vacation capital of the world- Orlando and Central Florida.

 

[DisneyCane]

Even though the elderly are a small demographic that visit WDW, there is a contingent of elderly that live and at times work in the vacation capital of the world-class Orlando and Central Florida.

They should certainly take some precautions. Especially to avoid having prolonged, close contact with people that are showing symptoms common to this virus. However, they should take the same precautions for the flu which, despite the flu shot, is FAR more likely to make them ill or possibly kill them.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Guessing it got pushed back?

Looking like it, and I'd honestly be shocked if it did end up closing on Friday. I've lived in Europe for the past few months so I've been following the virus closely, and Paris in general is not very scared. Very few people wearing masks and the Louvre is reopening after 2 or 3 days of closure.

 

[monothingie]

Guessing it got pushed back?

Curious the source disappeared too. Maybe his VPN connection was no good.

 

[esskay]

The elderly are definitely the smallest demographic at WDW (or any theme park).

In terms of guests they are, but Disney do employ a heck of a lot of elderly folks. Lots of the shop staff, ticket barrier staff and those that generally hang around areas of the park helping people out are elderly.

 

[LSLS]

So Columbus just shut down the Arnold sports festival this weekend, citing recommendations from the CDC. Honestly the domestic parks may be in more danger of closing that I really thought.

 

[Horizons '83]

So Columbus just shut down the Arnold sports festival this weekend, citing recommendations from the CDC. Honestly the domestic parks may be in more danger of closing that I really thought.

No offense to that festival but it doesn't have the clout that Disney Parks has. There are talks of the Final Four being played without fans attending, if that happens, then I think the risk of a Disney closure goes up.

 

[LSLS]

No offense to that festival but it doesn't have the clout that Disney Parks has. There are talks of the Final Four being played without fans attending, if that happens, then I think the risk of a Disney closure goes up.

Arnold brings in over 200,000 people for the weekend. It's a bigger deal than you realize.

 

[larryz]

Arnold brings in over 200,000 people for the weekend. It's a bigger deal than you realize.

Well, he's 72 years old, so that puts him right in the high mortality target group... I can understand why he'd want to bail.

 

[LSLS]

Well, he's 72 years old, so that puts him right in the high mortality target group... I can understand why he'd want to bail.

It sounds like it was actually the state of Ohio that made the call.

 

[larryz]

It sounds like it was actually the state of Ohio that made the call.

 

[LSLS]

Let me add, just received an email that a conference I was considering attending at WDW in the next month has been cancelled.

 

[larryz]

Let me add, just received an email that a conference I was considering attending at WDW in the next month has been cancelled.

Well, that's no joke...

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Arnold brings in over 200,000 people for the weekend. It's a bigger deal than you realize.

“If I don’t like thing, it’s not popular”

 

[esskay]

Let me add, just received an email that a conference I was considering attending at WDW in the next month has been cancelled.

Not sure these can be compared to general park attendance.

Confrences involve thousands of people in the same enclosed space.

If you think about the parks, the only times you're up close and personal with other people is during a busy parade, or a 3d/4d show.

Not saying it won't impact things but its worth noting.

 

[celluloid]

Not sure these can be compared to general park attendance.

Confrences involve thousands of people in the same enclosed space.

If you think about the parks, the only times you're up close and personal with other people is during a busy parade, or a 3d/4d show.

Not saying it won't impact things but its worth noting.

Most Preshow Rooms and many weaving queues come to mind.

 

[Lilofan]

Most Preshow Rooms and many weaving queues come to mind.

When it rains, many guests seek shelter and are crammed in bathrooms or merchandise locations.

 

[iowamomof4]

Do they clean things like 3D glasses (Star Tours, TSM, etc...)? Will they start doing so now?

 

[trainplane3]

Do they clean things like 3D glasses (Star Tours, TSM, etc...)? Will they start doing so now?

I always thought they cleaned them? Isn't it UV light or some other method?

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Do they clean things like 3D glasses (Star Tours, TSM, etc...)? Will they start doing so now?

I think they do but don't know for sure. My wife and I always wipe them down with an antibacterial hand wipe just to be safe. We don't want to take a chance with something that touches so close to our eyes.