News Walt Disney World theme parks increase capacity but see longer waits and less physical distancing

[JoeCamel]

In the classroom that’s how we do it too. Even at lunch they have assigned seats now for that reason. The problem with the buses is there is only the driver who needs to focus on driving so kids don’t follow the assigned seat thing all that well. They have tried it in the past when the buses got too rowdy and it never works. Kids will just get up and move. I also agree that there’s a difference between being in a classroom or cafeteria with more space and being confined in a bus. Especially now that it’s cold out and the windows are less likely to be open it’s a lot of people breathing the same air.

The bus system in this district usually has a driver and an aide to help with the kids.

 

[networkpro]

Impressed by your continued denial that no one is traveling to Disney from out of state. There are plenty from out of state. There are significant groups at Disney even traveling from outside the country.

You'd be surprised at how many people there are attending from the West Coast. I guess they needed a break.

 

[giantgolfer]

You'd be surprised at how many people there are attending from the West Coast. I guess they needed a break.

Disappointing, if true.

 

[networkpro]

Disappointing, if true.

Only if you consider every person not from where you are from a threat. Personally, I'm more concerned about people from high population density areas than any geographic region.

 

[giantgolfer]

Only if you consider every person not from where you are from a threat. Personally, I'm more concerned about people from high population density areas than any geographic region.

I’m in favor of following the CDC guidance and avoiding unnecessary travel.

 

[Miss Bella]

They aren't staying on property. Many have been saying the resorts are ghost towns and have lots of availability. Parks may be full but Disney doesn't make its money on full parks. Its from full resorts.

The discounts this Fall were pathetic. I think that we'll see an increase in resort bookings with the 35-40% off being offered from Jan-June.

 

[legwand77]

Something to note Tokyo Disneyland is beginning to reduce social distancing in some shows, rides even with the record/highest number of positive tests in Japan currently.

Probably the first steps we will see in WDW in a few months

Changes in Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea:

More walk in, reservations not required in some restaurants there now
Playgrounds in parks open
More characters out and about not just in cavalcades - simialr to what they are doing with Anna in EPCOT
PhilharMagic every row seated now, now markings in the queue for separation
Removed Plexiglass from some rides and seating all rows in ride vehicles. Add plexiglass on a few rides.

Judging from the crowds and availability, I think that capacity has quietly been raised a little bit more at the WDW parks, like it was before.

 

[GoofGoof]

Something to note Tokyo Disneyland is beginning to reduce social distancing in some shows, rides even with the record/highest number of positive tests in Japan currently.

Probably the first steps we will see in WDW in a few months

Changes in Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea:

More walk in, reservations not required in some restaurants there now
Playgrounds in parks open
More characters out and about not just in cavalcades - simialr to what they are doing with Anna in EPCOT
PhilharMagic every row seated now, now markings in the queue for separation
Removed Plexiglass from some rides and seating all rows in ride vehicles. Add plexiglass on a few rides.

As the vaccine rolls out and cases drop to a low enough level I think it’s likely that happens at WDW too. It’s going to be a gradual easing of restrictions not a light switch where everything is turned off at once.

Just to keep things real though, we aren’t exactly getting close yet. In Japan their cases spiked to around 3,000 per day for a nation with a population of 126 million people. That’s the equivalent of the US having under 8,000 cases a day, we had 223,000 cases yesterday. Compared to just the state of FL that would be the equivalent of around 500 daily cases in FL. If you compare to just Tokyo itself where the Disney parks are the population is 14M and had 621 cases yesterday so 44 cases per million. That’s the equivalent of around 900 cases a day in FL or compared to Orange County FL 62 daily cases (yesterday was 759). Again, just trying to level set what comparable cases would look like. I’m not saying we have to get to those particular numbers here to start removing restrictions, but we aren’t even in the same ballpark as Japan or Tokyo right now...not even the same zip code.

Best way to get there is a combination of continuing to follow basic Covid restrictions (masks, distancing, avoid gatherings and avoid indoor interactions) and combine that with vaccines. If the path we choose is just vaccines without an effort on the other stuff we are looking at sometime this summer, best case. With a better effort on other restrictions we could get there quicker, possibly by Memorial Day. I think Spring Break is overly optimistic, but getting a full “summer season” in at WDW is a possibility if people get with the program.

 

[legwand77]

As the vaccine rolls out and cases drop to a low enough level I think it’s likely that happens at WDW too. It’s going to be a gradual easing of restrictions not a light switch where everything is turned off at once.

Just to keep things real though, we aren’t exactly getting close yet. In Japan their cases spiked to around 3,000 per day for a nation with a population of 126 million people. That’s the equivalent of the US having under 8,000 cases a day, we had 223,000 cases yesterday. Compared to just the state of FL that would be the equivalent of around 500 daily cases in FL. If you compare to just Tokyo itself where the Disney parks are the population is 14M and had 621 cases yesterday so 44 cases per million. That’s the equivalent of around 900 cases a day in FL or compared to Orange County FL 62 daily cases (yesterday was 759). Again, just trying to level set what comparable cases would look like. I’m not saying we have to get to those particular numbers here to start removing restrictions, but we aren’t even in the same ballpark as Japan or Tokyo right now...not even the same zip code.

Best way to get there is a combination of continuing to follow basic Covid restrictions (masks, distancing, avoid gatherings and avoid indoor interactions) and combine that with vaccines. If the path we choose is just vaccines without an effort on the other stuff we are looking at sometime this summer, best case. With a better effort on other restrictions we could get there quicker, possibly by Memorial Day. I think Spring Break is overly optimistic, but getting a full “summer season” in at WDW is a possibility if people get with the program.

Nice observation and stat fun, but none of that you went through was my point, I was just noticing the ease of social distancing at Tokyo Disney and how that might come to pass when WDW starts. I was actually being very specific saying it was just Tokyo Disney not comparing it, because of the usual freak out here when anyone shares news outside of doom and gloom, but alas it still happens.

 

[giantgolfer]

because of the usual freak out here when anyone shares news outside of doom and gloom reality

Fixed it for you.

 

[matt9112]

That is really good advice. There are plenty of people having great trips you just won’t find them here.

Rather hear pros and cons vs rehashed disney talking points...if a review or an experience has zero negative points on something like a hotel or theme park something is wrong...its not reality.

 

[GoofGoof]

Nice observation and stat fun, but none of that you went through was my point, I was just noticing the ease of social distancing at Tokyo Disney and how that might come to pass when WDW starts. I was actually being very specific saying it was just Tokyo Disney not comparing it, because of the usual freak out here when anyone shares news outside of doom and gloom, but alas it still happens.

You specifically said we would see this at WDW in in a few months so I don‘t understand how that’s not comparing it.

Probably the first steps we will see in WDW in a few months

I was just pointing out that I agree it will happen eventually at WDW but a few months seems very unlikely since the situations are not the same. I wouldn’t assume that because Tokyo Disney (not run by TWDC) is doing something it’s going to happen at WDW soon too. Late Spring or summer seems a lot more likely to me for WDW. If you are going to WDW in a few months, like for President’s Day Weekend, don’t expect to see these roll backs of restrictions in place. Spring Break? Maybe possible to see the start of some changes.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Nice observation and stat fun, but none of that you went through was my point, I was just noticing the ease of social distancing at Tokyo Disney and how that might come to pass when WDW starts. I was actually being very specific saying it was just Tokyo Disney not comparing it, because of the usual freak out here when anyone shares news outside of doom and gloom, but alas it still happens.

I’m asking this with all sincerity. What do you think the solution is right now?
Open all parks with no restrictions? Keep certain restrictions?

 

[Miss Bella]

Rather hear pros and cons vs rehashed disney talking points...if a review or an experience has zero negative points on something like a hotel or theme park something is wrong...its not reality.

This forum is definitely slanted to the negative, but mainly by people that haven’t gone to WDW this year. I appreciate good and bad reviews from people that have actually experienced it.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

This forum is definitely slanted to the negative, but mainly by people that haven’t gone to WDW this year. I appreciate good and bad reviews from people that have actually experienced it.

I’ve been this year. Just haven’t been since March. My only major complaint was security and entrance which I think has now been fixed with the new scanners.

Even though Epcot was a mess of a park, the Festival of the Arts was just great.

If I knew everything I know now, I would have hit Disney when they reopened and crowds were so low, I was expecting us to be out of this mess by now!

 

[Miss Bella]

I’ve been this year. Just haven’t been since March. My only major complaint was security and entrance which I think has now been fixed with the new scanners.

Even though Epcot was a mess of a park, the Festival of the Arts was just great.

If I knew everything I know now, I would have hit Disney when they reopened and crowds were so low, I was expecting us to be out of this mess by now!

The scanners are great just remember to pull the I’m umbrellas out of your bag.

 

[Chi84]

This forum is definitely slanted to the negative, but mainly by people that haven’t gone to WDW this year. I appreciate good and bad reviews from people that have actually experienced it.

The negativity isn't as bothersome as the stunning lack of tolerance for opposing viewpoints - like "fixing" someone else's post because it doesn't say what you think it should. Eventually, all you hear is what you want to hear, and that's kind of sad (and boring).

 

[Jrb1979]

The negativity isn't as bothersome as the stunning lack of tolerance for opposing viewpoints - like "fixing" someone else's post because it doesn't say what you think it should. Eventually, all you hear is what you want to hear, and that's kind of sad (and boring).

I tolerate others views. Where I draw the line is the ones that basically flaunt the guidelines that the CDC puts out. Like non essential travel and having family gatherings. Its the reason cases are skyrocketing since Thanksgiving. I expect the same after Christmas. People want this to end but keep doing things to make this last much longer.

 

[Chi84]

I tolerate others views. Where I draw the line is the ones that basically flaunt the guidelines that the CDC puts out. Like non essential travel and having family gatherings. Its the reason cases are skyrocketing since Thanksgiving. I expect the same after Christmas. People want this to end but keep doing things to make this last much longer.

Yes, but the CDC guidelines are guidelines, not laws. Other people may decide not to follow them. I personally don't agree with that, but they are acting within their rights. I'm not talking about expressing disagreement, but about trying to bully others into not expressing opinions by calling them names, labeling them selfish, "fixing" their posts, etc.

I assume people are coming to this thread to find out what is going on at WDW right now in terms of capacity and social distancing, not to be harangued about not going to Disney.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

That is really good advice. There are plenty of people having great trips you just won’t find them here.

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