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

[Miss Bella]

I get it too. Part of a good vacation, especially to WDW, is an escape from reality. It’s hard to do with all of this going on.

Maybe this our new reality.

 

[bryanfze55]

Where was the public shaming? Because he was asked to leave the bar? It didn’t sound to me like anything he described was anything more than Disney doing the best they can under the circumstances. It’s up to guest to decide of the experience is worth it or not.

I was definitely referring to the act of posting his Facebook status here on WDWMagic as “public shaming.” Was not referencing whatever occurred at WDW. The judgment just doesn’t seem necessary. Complaining/venting about the rules, restrictions, “new normal” in general =\= breaking the rules and is totally a necessary outlet for some people.

 

[GoofGoof]

Maybe this our new reality.

Covid is our current reality and I fully understand the desire to get an escape from it. I don’t personally believe in this “new normal” or “new reality” narrative. There has never been a worldwide pandemic that didn’t end. We have plenty of history to show that this isn’t permanent.

I was definitely referring to the act of posting his Facebook status here on WDWMagic as “public shaming.” Was not referencing whatever occurred at WDW. The judgment just doesn’t seem necessary. Complaining/venting about the rules, restrictions, “new normal” in general =\= breaking the rules and is totally a necessary outlet for some people.

Fair enough. I think if you post something like that on social media you probably leave yourself open for criticism.

 

[Miss Bella]

Covid is our current reality and I fully understand the desire to get an escape from it. I don’t personally believe in this “new normal” or “new reality” narrative. There has never been a worldwide pandemic that didn’t end. We have plenty of history to show that this isn’t permanent.

Fair enough. I think if you post something like that on social media you probably leave yourself open for criticism.

The pandemic will end, but that does not mean things will go back to how they were before the pandemic. There were a lot of changes after 9\11, but young people wouldn't know that.

 

[bryanfze55]

The pandemic will end, but that does not mean things will go back to how they were before the pandemic. There were a lot of changes after 9\11, but young people wouldn't know that.

I think private companies (I.E., Disney) will continue to enforce mandatory masking after the pandemic is over. How long? I don’t know.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The pandemic will end, but that does not mean things will go back to how they were before the pandemic. There were a lot of changes after 9\11, but young people wouldn't know that.

People would go crazy if they knew you could get on a plane without being searched, without an ID being checked AND light up and smoke while on the plane. Crazy!!!!

 

[dreday3]

I think private companies (I.E., Disney) will continue to enforce mandatory masking after the pandemic is over. How long? I don’t know.

By over, you mean we've reached the needed immunity, CDC allows relaxation of guidelines? Then I completely disagree with you. Companies will drop masks as soon as they are "allowed" by CDC. Some probably before, but doubtful Disney would.

 

[Chi84]

I think private companies (I.E., Disney) will continue to enforce mandatory masking after the pandemic is over. How long? I don’t know.

Maybe just until Disney can get a vaccine requirement in place, although that will probably take some time. We’ve never experienced this before, so there isn’t any precedent on how businesses (especially entertainment venues that rely on large numbers of people in close proximity) will respond.

 

[GoofGoof]

The pandemic will end, but that does not mean things will go back to how they were before the pandemic. There were a lot of changes after 9\11, but young people wouldn't know that.

Yeah, some changes for sure, but the world moved on. We’ll move on from this too. It will be interesting to see what lasting changes come out of it.

I think private companies (I.E., Disney) will continue to enforce mandatory masking after the pandemic is over. How long? I don’t know.

I don’t know when the official end to a pandemic is declared. I Imagine it’s like a recession where it’s actually called after the fact looking back at data as opposed to real time. So if the official pandemic ended July 1 we may not know that until August or September. Anyway, that’s just semantics on timing. I think masks will be among the last things to go at places like WDW. It will certainly be after vaccines are available to anyone who wants one at a minimum and probably longer depending on overall case count and the way other large venues are treating them. If MLB opens stadiums without masks and concerts with large crowds are held Disney will have a stronger leg to stand on easing those requirements but if those venues still require masks I don’t see Disney being a first mover.

I‘m optimistic it could be sometime this summer that WDW relaxes all or most of the Covid restrictions including masks. If the vaccine rollout goes poorly and we hit the fall and cases are still rampant I could see Disney consider a policy where proof of vaccination is required to get in as an alternative to continuing Covid restrictions indefinitely. By then the majority of Americans will be vaccinated and any international guests coming in would probably be required to show proof of vaccination to fly. All just guesses on my part. Who knows what will actually happen.

 

[Jrb1979]

Yeah, some changes for sure, but the world moved on. We’ll move on from this too. It will be interesting to see what lasting changes come out of it.

I don’t know when the official end to a pandemic is declared. I Imagine it’s like a recession where it’s actually called after the fact looking back at data as opposed to real time. So if the official pandemic ended July 1 we may not know that until August or September. Anyway, that’s just semantics on timing. I think masks will be among the last things to go at places like WDW. It will certainly be after vaccines are available to anyone who wants one at a minimum and probably longer depending on overall case count and the way other large venues are treating them. If MLB opens stadiums without masks and concerts with large crowds are held Disney will have a stronger leg to stand on easing those requirements but if those venues still require masks I don’t see Disney being a first mover.

I‘m optimistic it could be sometime this summer that WDW relaxes all or most of the Covid restrictions including masks. If the vaccine rollout goes poorly and we hit the fall and cases are still rampant I could see Disney consider a policy where proof of vaccination is required to get in as an alternative to continuing Covid restrictions indefinitely. By then the majority of Americans will be vaccinated and any international guests coming in would probably be required to show proof of vaccination to fly. All just guesses on my part. Who knows what will actually happen.

While I love your optimism, I am expecting late fall the earliest we start to get back to normal. I think by Christmas things will be normal. I only say that as here in Ontario they don't expect the majority to be vaccinated til fall. The way things are going in the US I don't see it being much quicker.

 

[bryanfze55]

Maybe just until Disney can get a vaccine requirement in place, although that will probably take some time. We’ve never experienced this before, so there isn’t any precedent on how businesses (especially entertainment venues that rely on large numbers of people in close proximity) will respond.

I don’t have an issue with mandatory masking. It’s the age requirement that I find off-putting. I think making 2-year-olds mask is overzealous.

 

[Miss Bella]

People would go crazy if they knew you could get on a plane without being searched, without an ID being checked AND light up and smoke while on the plane. Crazy!!!!

Those things were changed long before 9/11.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Those things were changed long before 9/11.

Lol. Even when I’m agreeing with you, you disagree!

 

[FATHER OF FIVE]

I could even deal with masks indoors/no masks (or optional) outdoors but I still cant for the life of me figure out how they are going to do masks at Blizzard Beach come March.

 

[Miss Bella]

Lol. Even when I’m agreeing with you, you disagree!

I wasn’t disagreeing with you just pointing out these weren’t the post 9/11 changes I was referring to.

 

[GoofGoof]

I could even deal with masks indoors/no masks (or optional) outdoors but I still cant for the life of me figure out how they are going to do masks at Blizzard Beach come March.

They won’t in the pools or on the slides. You will likely have to wear one coming in and going out and when not in the pool (like getting lunch or heading to the restroom). You don’t have to wear masks in the pools and Universal doesn’t have them at their waterpark.

 

[Miss Bella]

They won’t in the pools or on the slides. You will likely have to wear one coming in and going out and when not in the pool (like getting lunch or heading to the restroom). You don’t have to wear masks in the pools and Universal doesn’t have them at their waterpark.

No masks are required in the pool area at all.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I wasn’t disagreeing with you just pointing out these weren’t the post 9/11 changes I was referring to.

What post 9/11 changes were you referring to? Just curious.

 

[GoofGoof]

No masks are required in the pool area at all.

I think it’s a safety issue with kids. You don‘t want to accidentally waterboard a toddler

For the water parks I’m sure it will be the same rules as the resort pools. I could maybe see them only required coming and going through the gates and possibly at the food spots or areas people would have to crowd together. I assume chairs will be distanced as well as lines for slides.

 

[Miss Bella]

I think it’s a safety issue with kids. You don‘t want to accidentally waterboard a toddler

For the water parks I’m sure it will be the same rules as the resort pools. I could maybe see them only required coming and going through the gates and possibly at the food spots or areas people would have to crowd together. I assume chairs will be distanced as well as lines for slides.

Disney World parks is the only place I know of that requires people to wear masks outside. It's not required in my state, or Florida. As screwed up as California is it's not required outdoors there. It's not required at the pool bars at WDW either. I doubt they will be required at the water park.