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

[GoofGoof]

I think the big difference is research shows airplane air is 100% flushed every 3-4 minutes. FOP definitely doesn't have that level of circulation or HEPA filters. But flights are also way longer and I'm not a scientist so

Airplane air is filtered, but its not a sterile environment. There’s still risk there. I would rather spend 5 mins next to a sick person in a mask the whole time on FOP then spend 2 hours on an airplane next to a sick person wearing a mask most of the time. People are still pulling their mask off to eat and drink on a plane and/or adjust and since it’s a longer period of time there‘s more opportunity for exposure overall. Just my personal opinion. I can’t say which is more risky.

 

[SoFloMagic]

None of that is really conclusive. There’s is a million theories. I wouldn’t even bother linking an article.

Got it. So when I post there are "a million theories", but you get to post with no qualifiers?

Maybe Steve can make you one of these:

 

[Miss Bella]

And what happens after that 99.8% recovery rate? Is everyone free and clear and healthy - are there lasting effects for any? If you know the answer to that, I have news for you. It's a NOVEL virus. And that doesn't mean it's a book.

I'm sure you think that once someone's 'recovered', we may as well swing in Mickey Mouse to say, "everybody neat and pretty? Then on with the show!"

Nobody would know either way. There are long term effects to most illnesses and there always will be.

 

[gerarar]

I visited Hershey Park earlier during the summer and there was absolutely no social distancing on the many roller coasters. Every row was being used, but one party per row. Lines however were “distanced”, but many times not. There were many security guards and employees trying to enforce it, but it was pretty much a lost cause.

This seems to be the road that Disney is heading in. At least lines are still extremely socially distanced and mask enforcement is still present. A lot of these things were lacking in my visit to Hershey Park. So I still give kudos to Disney for at least doing that.

Also, plexiglass in lines was lacking on my visit, although as others noted, it barely does anything, especially in open air. Also back to back switchbacks were not utilized, similar to WDW currently as far as I can tell.
Some pics from my visit at Hershey in August:

 

[legwand77]

And what happens after that 99.8% recovery rate? Is everyone free and clear and healthy - are there lasting effects for any? If you know the answer to that, I have news for you. It's a NOVEL virus. And that doesn't mean it's a book.

I'm sure you think that once someone's 'recovered', we may as well swing in Mickey Mouse to say, "everybody neat and pretty? Then on with the show!"

not quite a novel virus currently, in case you missed it we have a vaccine now.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Letting more people ride an attraction is a big deal for the bottom line. More ride capacity means more park capacity and most importantly more hotel rooms booked. It doesn’t matter for Jan when capacity isn’t an issue but when we hit Spring Break and later into early summer it’s going to be a huge deal as more resorts come back online.

I agree on the queues being more of an issue as you spend way more time in the queue than on the ride. I think ride distancing is relaxed first, then queues, then transport and restaurants last. All those things are relaxed while keeping masks in play.

The thing that bothers me about WDW park capacity numbers are that WDW has never disclosed to the public the maximum capacity of each park. It is estimated by people outside of the company that for example the Magic kingdom has a maximum capacity of 90 to 100 thousand people, so 35 percent of that is up to 35 thousand people! That’s a lot of people to be considered “limited” capacity.

As for the COVID rules, like is done in Asia, there is no physical distancing but full mask compliance. I think that is enough, so I agree with you, over time we will see ride capacity increase, distancing restrictions relaxed with the last thing to go being the mask compliance..

 

[GoofGoof]

The thing that bothers me about WDW park capacity numbers are that WDW has never disclosed to the public the maximum capacity of each park. It is estimated by people outside of the company that for example the Magic kingdom has a maximum capacity of 90 to 100 thousand people, so 35 percent of that is up to 35 thousand people! That’s a lot of people to be considered “limited” capacity.

As for the COVID rules, like is done in Asia, there is no physical distancing but full mask compliance. I think that is enough, so I agree with you, over time we will see ride capacity increase, distancing restrictions relaxed with the last thing to go being the mask compliance..

I don’t think the capacity limit is just a straight percentage of max park capacity. I think they adjust the number of reservations allowed based on ride availability and attraction capacity as well. The 25% or 35% number is just a guideline they give publicly for simplicity sake, the math is probably a lot more complicated. I also think right now a lot of that math is designed to keep ride lines under a certain time and also to prevent huge bottlenecks of crowds in the parks. That’s why more people on each ride can lead to more people overall. The queue capacity factors in too. If you keep 6 foot distancing in the queue but increase park capacity you might run out of room for lines even if each line moves faster because you increased ride capacity.

 

[Miss Bella]

not quite a novel virus currently, in case you missed it we have a vaccine now.

Some people may have long term problems, but most won't, but you can say this about a lot of virus's and illness's. PNA and valley fever come to mind. Valley fever is not contagious, but many people in the southwest get it and it can cause long term problems and lung damage.

Life isn't always fair when it comes to disease, and living is inherently risky. There are a lot of things people can do to improve their overall health and immune systems, but that actually takes work. Locking yourself in your house certainly isn't one of them.

 

[Miss Bella]

Are annual passholders blocked out from certain parks MLK weekend?

 

[giantgolfer]

not quite a novel virus currently, in case you missed it we have a vaccine now.

I haven’t been vaccinated yet. You?

 

[giantgolfer]

Some people will have long term problems, but most won't, but you can say this about a lot of virus's and illness's. PNA and valley fever come to mind. Valley fever is not contagious, but many people in the southwest get it and it can cause long term problems and lung damage.

Life isn't always fair when it comes to disease, and living is inherently risky. There are a lot of things people can do to improve their overall health and immune systems, but that actually takes work. Locking yourself in your house certainly isn't one of them.

Comparing the risk of a highly contagious virus that affects people worldwide vs. a non-contagious virus that only affects a portion on the country ?

 

[Miss Bella]

I just re-read what you posted. It’s a comparison.

We have no idea what long term problems Covid will cause it hasn't been around long enough. Therefore there is no way to compare it to anything. I was giving an example of some illnesses that do have long term affects. Will Covid have some I would assume so, but there is certainly no way to know this at this point.

 

[giantgolfer]

We have no idea what long term problems Covid will cause it hasn't been around long enough. Therefore there is no way to compare it to anything. I was giving an example of some illnesses that do have long term affects. Will Covid have some I would assume so, but there is certainly no way to know this at this point.

Good backtrack! I commend you for that.

 

[Miss Bella]

Good backtrack! I commend you for that.

I think the lack of socialization is starting to wear on you. You really have nothing to add to any conversation besides calling people selfish?

 

[SoFloMagic]

I’m glad you have all the answers. Thank you Dr sloflo.

See, that's the thing. I don't claim to have answers. I listed a bunch of stuff that people way smarter than me have discussed. I didn't present any of it as fact. You present your feelings as fact, yet 99% of experts would dispute many of the claims you make.

I think its downright dangerous to downplay the severity of covid. We have liberties as Americans, and you're welcome to do whatever you want. But if you're not concerned about the pandemic and want to do stuff, just let it be that. Don't spread nonsense about it and encourage others to disregard the advice of public health officials to justify your actions.

 

[giantgolfer]

I think the lack of socialization is starting to wear on you. You really have nothing to add to any conversation besides calling people selfish?

I actually work in retail, so the socialization dig is inaccurate.

All I’m doing is voicing my opinion as to why we are STILL stuck in the pandemic. It’s because of people like you. You disagree. Okay. That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop voicing my opinion. You are doing the same. I’m not “courageous” enough to travel, remember?

The victim card doesn’t look good on you.

 

[Miss Bella]

See, that's the thing. I don't claim to have answers. I listed a bunch of stuff that people way smarter than me have discussed. I didn't present any of it as fact. You present your feelings as fact, yet 99% of experts would dispute many of the claims you make.

I think its downright dangerous to downplay the severity of covid. We have liberties as Americans, and you're welcome to do whatever you want. But if you're not concerned about the pandemic and want to do stuff, just let it be that. Don't spread nonsense about it and encourage others to disregard the advice of public health officials to justify your actions.

I've been up to my ears in it literally since it started, but I know enough to know that nobody has the answers. Nothing I have seen anything thus far has made sense. I'm not sure what advice from health officials you think I'm disregarding.

 

[BaconPancakes]

I see the same “nurse” is still here doing the same old tired song and dance. *yawn*

 

[Miss Bella]

I actually work in retail, so the socialization dig is inaccurate.

All I’m doing is voicing my opinion as to why we are STILL stuck in the pandemic. It’s because of people like you. You disagree. Okay. That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop voicing my opinion. You are doing the same. I’m not “courageous” enough to travel, remember?

The victim card doesn’t look good on you.

What am I a victim of again? You work in retail. Why is ok for people to shop in your store, but not get on a plane.

 

[giantgolfer]

What am I a victim of again?

You are allowed to throw insults, but I can’t.