News Walt Disney World's COVID-19 reopening plans announced - July 11

[disneygeek90]

He said resorts, not theme parks. Disney is requiring masks at all times on property, period.

Wearing in an AC hotel lobby can't be the breaking point of cancelling.

 

[jaklgreen]

You're missing the point. Disney saying they're going to have social distancing measures in a PowerPoint deck does not mean guests will BEHAVE according to social distancing measures in the parks when they're actually in them. And I am NOT talking about tough guys saying "social distancing is stupid, I'm not going to do it," I'm saying it's a nonsense concept to try and apply in a theme park environment.

Picture Main Street on any random morning, even a morning with light crowds. Honestly picture in your head what it would look like for people to be swerving around to keep six feet of distance with other people. Better yet, imagine an entire family walking around in a group trying to swerve around as a group to keep six feet of distance from other families who are also walking around as a group. It doesn't pass the most basic level of common sense. It's completely absurd.

This is public health theater. That's all it is and that's why it bothers me so much.

I have been watching people's videos of Shanghai DL since it opened and have witnessed what you have said. People are mostly wearing their masks, except when they think they are far enough from others, or for pictures, or for snacking on popcorn. I have also seen many follow closely behind others while in line for rides. The whole mentality of "I'll get on the ride faster if I am right behind the person in front of me" is still strong. I think that people will start out trying to do the right thing but as the day goes along, everyone will become lax.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

I agree with this. You can’t put the genie back in the lamp or is it pandora back in the box...either way things are moving like an avalanche. What started as slow, steady and measured is not anymore. It’s a free for all. No point pretending there are rules which very few have any interest in following. By mid-July it’s possible masks and social distancing are both out. We could be back to pretty much normal.

I agree...people have short memories, little tolerance for inconvenience, and are tired of the virus affecting their lives. What scares me is that all those things add up to seeing a bad second wave because people are being careless. The virus may not affect them personally, but it could be devastating to someone they know. My MIL and her boyfriend are pushing 80, and they decided to go to a Memorial Day party yesterday...hosted by someone who has been refusing to wear a face covering since the pandemic began even though she's also pushing 80 and lives in the worst-hit county in MA (she's really not a smart person...we've known this for 20 years).

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

No meet and greets, no playgrounds, no parades, no fireworks, plexiglass at every cash register, mandatory face coverings "while on property," which would seem to include parking lots and every other place.

This sounds like a miserable guest experience. I know it was expected but I'm disappointed. IMO, you just don't open if this is the only way you think you can do it safely.

I don’t see any scenario as currently presented where your assessment is not 100% correct.

This isn’t what you’re looking to spend your time and money on, people

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Pretty sure Disney doesn't want people coming in from Area that could be hot bed with virus.

The State of Florida is already covering that. Disney doesn't have to worry about it.

 

[Getachew]

Yeah, I get that. But I also feel like Disney should know better by now. They already have another park open. Plus, given the restrictions in place it seems like they could open sooner if they wanted to. Like I said, particularly given all the restrictions, I guess it just seems slow to me.

A very cautious approach works better for them imo than Jumping the gun.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

People maybe over it doesn't mean we should just drop all physical distancing plans. I hope all parks don't succumb to public pressure and drop social distancing measures just people want them too.

That's a big concern of mine, too. Pressure from the general public should not be the deciding factor of any choices when it comes to the virus.

 

[SpectroBro]

Me too. Im mostly torn about if the Halloween party will be a go by august 13th.

TBH, parade rehearsal for BTY has to begin by the last week of June in order for parties to begin on time. As of this moment, there is no entertainment department or casting department to press forward with that. Unless they get it in to high-gear within the next few weeks. That opening MNSSHP seems unlikely.

 

[Amused to Death]

Me too. Im mostly torn about if the Halloween party will be a go by august 13th.

The main reasons for going to a Halloween Party are the parade, fireworks, and trick-or-treating. Parades and fireworks are currently off. I'm not sure trick-or-treating would be a good idea either. It would be awfully hard to maintain any kind of social distancing between CMs with candy and guests.

 

[Hawg G]

Realistically, things could get VERY bad again, VERY quickly, and they could choose to not reopen altogether. Or they could reopen in July and close again six weeks later. Or like you said, things could almost be normal by September... Literally any scenario is possible right now.

Realistically, Covid cases could be dramatically down by July, and masks put in the “mementos” box.

 

[Giss Neric]

I agree...people have short memories, little tolerance for inconvenience, and are tired of the virus affecting their lives. What scares me is that all those things add up to seeing a bad second wave because people are being careless. The virus may not affect them personally, but it could be devastating to someone they know. My MIL and her boyfriend are pushing 80, and they decided to go to a Memorial Day party yesterday...hosted by someone who has been refusing to wear a face covering since the pandemic began even though she's also pushing 80 and lives in the worst-hit county in MA (she's really not a smart person...we've known this for 20 years).

Wait your MIL who is pushing 80 has a boyfriend and they both went to a party? Dang!

 

[DisneyJoe]

But the MK is still chock full of 40 year old rides with hour plus waits (maybe worse).

They'll implement Boarding Groups, as they are doing in Disney Springs

 

[Giss Neric]

The mask requirement makes this decision quite simple: I will not be appearing.

Indeed, the fact that they are creating mask-free 'relaxation zones' is a self-admission that mask wearing in the Florida sun is the antithesis to a relaxing vacation.

You could just wait it out until it all goes away. The question is how long? Would you wait till next year?

 

[fngoofy]

Again, why keep the resorts closed?

Well, a few reasons might be:

Again, why keep the resorts closed?

I. Transportation.
A. Buses, Monorails, Skyliner, all things that put too many people in too closely
1. With only day trippers, WDW can get their act together dealing with the new procedures prior to opening up things further

II. Room Cleaning / Pools / Restaurants / Other Resort Activities
A. This will require a whole other set of procedures, and by waiting allows them to learn from this first phase

III. Failure
A. With everything fluid, both within and outside WDW, it means they don't have to cancel as much should things go pear shaped and require another closure

 

[SpectroBro]

Me too. Im mostly torn about if the Halloween party will be a go by august 13th.

TBH, parade rehearsal for BTY has to begin by the last week of June in order for parties to begin on time. As of this moment, there is no entertainment department or casting department to press forward with that. Unless they get it in to high-gear within the next few weeks. That opening MNSSHP seems unlikely.

 

[beertiki]

I think the next 6 weeks are going to be the most important time of this virus. Two possible outcomes. 1, there is no spike in cases after everything opens up and masks and social distancing is ignored. 2, a large 2nd wave of infections, more shutdowns.

If #1 happens, Disney will be able to change plans and open with no restrictions.

If #2 happens, Disney will not open.

I think Disney is betting on #2. It is better to have never opened, than to close down again.

 

[Getachew]

Realistically, Covid cases could be dramatically down by July, and masks put in the “mementos” box.

Or maybe the masks will remain

 

[_caleb]

The mask requirement makes this decision quite simple: I will not be appearing.

Indeed, the fact that they are creating mask-free 'relaxation zones' is a self-admission that mask wearing in the Florida sun is the antithesis to a relaxing vacation.

A trip to Disney is supposed to be a relaxing vacation? Guess I've always done it wrong!

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Wait your MIL who is pushing 80 has a boyfriend and they both went to a party? Dang!

Yup. My MIL isn't very bright...and she's got limited time on this earth already (active brain bleed...she's been told she'll be lucky to see Christmas this year). I'm not sure why she'd want to potentially spend weeks of her remaining time sick. Her boyfriend is super paranoid about the virus, so I'm not sure why he went along with it...maybe just to keep her stress levels in check? She gets very worked up very easily...sometimes about nothing.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I don’t see any scenario as currently presented where your assessment is not 100% correct.

This isn’t what you’re looking to spend your time and money on, people

And all it took for us to start agreeing on stuff was a global pandemic.