Universal Orlando outlines plans to reopen its theme parks from June 1

[Tom Morrow]

I went yesterday. I've got to say, it feels like Universal is doing just about everything it can to operate with covid-19 still a threat. Really impressive measures, and nothing is too much of a hassle. Now, will these measures and procedures work when the park isn't extremely empty? That is to be determined.

I saw some guests not wearing their masks, but I would say the vast majority were abiding by the rules. Quite the opposite of what apparently happened at SeaWorld today:

SeaWorld Orlando Fumbles Reopening - Theme Park University

As businesses around the United States start to reopen, everyone is looking at them under a microscope. Rightfully so considering we are still in the middle of a pandemic. Theme parks, in particular, are being watched closely simply because of their size and how many people congregate there on a...

themeparkuniversity.com

Also side note, the parks look fantastic. It seems that quite a lot of touch ups and polishing were done during the closure. They're also, of course, now incredibly clean. These were two of my biggest gripes about UOR and I hope it stays this way.

 

[Rob562]

Calling all APs. Blackouts for June, July and August have been dropped at Volcano Bay. Have a nice summer!

There are still a few restrictions for July at Volcano Bay. Notably Seasonals are still fully blocked, and Power and Preferred only have access after 4pm.

But the theme parks are now wide open across all pass types for the summer.

-Rob

 

[lebeau]

Not saying "go" or "don't go" but stay safe everyone!

Florida, Arizona and Texas set records for new COVID-19 cases

Florida, Texas and Arizona set records for new COVID-19 cases, and more than a dozen other states are also reporting big jumps in the number of cases as much of the country reopens after months of quarantine.

Are the governors in the worst-hit states considering another shutdown? Not a chance, if you ask them.

“No, we’re not shutting down, you know, we’re going to go forward,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday. “You have to have society function.”

Never mind that the Sunshine State recorded 2,610 new cases Wednesday -- just below Tuesday's record of 2,783 -- and the death toll rose from 2,993 to 3,018.

Florida has 'all the markings' to become next COVID-19 epicenter, study says

Coronavirus cases are spiking nationwide, and experts say Florida could be the next epicenter in the pandemic.

That warning comes via Wednesday's projections from a model by scientists at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania.

Record 3,200 New Coronavirus Cases in Florida, as State Surpasses 85,900 Cases

Florida's number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased by a daily record of more than 3,200 Thursday, as the state's virus-related deaths grew by more than 40.

With 3,207 new COVID-19 cases, the state's total rose to 85,926, according to figures released by the Florida Department of Health. The state had reported more than 2,600 new cases Wednesday and 2,700 new cases on Tuesday, which had set the record up until Thursday.

 

[lilypgirl]

Are the express passes from the hotels still in use right now? Is there any need for with the way the parks are running now?

 

[Tom Morrow]

Are the express passes from the hotels still in use right now? Is there any need for with the way the parks are running now?

Yes they are still in use, and yes. Despite the low attendance, there are still lines due to significantly reduced capacity on attractions.

 

[lilypgirl]

Yes they are still in use, and yes. Despite the low attendance, there are still lines due to significantly reduced capacity on attractions.

Thank you!

 

[Tom Morrow]

Less impressed with my second visit. The park was reaching "too crowded to be safe" crowd levels, which means you'd end up in heavy crowds occasionally. Guests acting more unruly, many with masks down, many ignoring social distancing markers in lines. Blatantly yelling at TM's or ignoring them when asked to pull their masks up. I didn't see any "constantly wipe stuff down" TM positions either. I wouldn't have been bothered by this stuff before, but now that confirmed cases are skyrocketing in Florida, this is concerning.

Based on what I've seen and heard, I won't even be stepping foot in SeaWorld for a while.

 

[monykalyn]

Less impressed with my second visit. The park was reaching "too crowded to be safe" crowd levels, which means you'd end up in heavy crowds occasionally. Guests acting more unruly, many with masks down, many ignoring social distancing markers in lines. Blatantly yelling at TM's or ignoring them when asked to pull their masks up. I didn't see any "constantly wipe stuff down" TM positions either. I wouldn't have been bothered by this stuff before, but now that confirmed cases are skyrocketing in Florida, this is concerning.

Based on what I've seen and heard, I won't even be stepping foot in SeaWorld for a while.

Didn’t see any of that on Wednesday. Maybe weekends are worse with higher attendance?

 

[Tom Morrow]

At this point I wish Universal and SeaWorld would consider closing again at least until Disney re-opens.

 

[ToTBellHop]

At this point I wish Universal and SeaWorld would consider closing again at least until Disney re-opens.

For like 2 weeks?

 

[Tom Morrow]

For like 2 weeks?

Well, preferably Disney would push back too, we clearly need another month of shutdown. Wishful thinking though, we're all doomed.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Didn’t see any of that on Wednesday. Maybe weekends are worse with higher attendance?

That may have been it. I'll be avoiding weekends for a while.

 

[HongKongFooy]

Well, preferably Disney would push back too, we clearly need another month of shutdown. Wishful thinking though, we're all doomed.

For what,
you think a month will change the viral paradigm?

I'd love to know how 30 days would help.

 

[Tom Morrow]

For what,
you think a month will change the viral paradigm?

I'd love to know how 30 days would help.

It would have helped quite a lot if Florida had stayed closed until the end of May vs. the end of April. See: Illinois and all the other states that did this having the best results.

 

[lebeau]

For like 2 weeks?

Maybe longer.

Disney World employees petition to delay park reopening amid coronavirus surge

 

[Bob Harlem]

Maybe longer.

Disney World employees petition to delay park reopening amid coronavirus surge

Hmm... Misleading headline, the petition isn't signed by employees, it's general public.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Maybe longer.

Disney World employees petition to delay park reopening amid coronavirus surge

I realize that this was started by maybe someone who is not that savvy regarding the whole situation, but, if these really are employees, it should be addressed to their union to make that case for them. And if they're going to address 'government officials', they need to be singling out the governor who is in charge of the 'phases of reopening.'

 

[lebeau]

Hmm... Misleading headline, the petition isn't signed by employees, it's general public.

The petition was started by employees. Thus, "Employees petition..."

I realize that this was started by maybe someone who is not that savvy regarding the whole situation, but, if these really are employees, it should be addressed to their union to make that case for them. And if they're going to address 'government officials', they need to be singling out the governor who is in charge of the 'phases of reopening.'

I don't expect the petition to accomplish much except maybe give Disney pause for thought. They hate bad press. Opening early as things are heating up in FL could lead to a lot of bad press. Especially when things like this petition are already making headlines.

As relates to the pandemic, I have given up on making predictions. The point I keep coming back to is that plans change. A lot can happen in two weeks as we have seen multiple times this year. We'll see what happens.

 

[Jon81uk]

Once people have recovered they don't spread it any more. People can be a spreader without showing symptoms.
Keep people indoors and they can't spread it on if they have it and once they recover then it doesn't matter anymore. Once no one in an area is contagious anymore then everyone is safe (New Zealand) and things go back to "normal".

Think of it as if you are covered in paint, if you go out you cover others in paint, but stay at home and wash yourself and you stop spreading. If the paint isn't visible to you you can still spread it when you go out, so if you minimise your contact with others you lessen the chance of spreading the paint around.
It doesn't move the problem, it solves it, until someone new comes to the area with more invisible paint (hence quarantine measures are in place for new arrivals).
30 days might not reduce the number of paint covered people significantly, but it lessens the number of people out spreading it, increasing the number of clean people.

 

[The Mom]

I know it's difficult, but please keep the politics in the correct forum. Thank you.