No Vaccine Passports at Disney World or in Florida
We’re back with another roundup of Walt Disney World news & rumors. This one covers a job listing for a fireworks designer, Cast Members’ incentive for getting inoculated, and why vaccine passports will not be used anywhere in Florida. (Updated April 3, 2021 with official vaccine passport ban details.)
Let’s start with fairly significant developments around topics we’ve been discussing the last few months. Florida passed a bill shielding companies that make good faith efforts to public health guidance from pandemic-related lawsuits, while also raising the standard of proof.
During the signing of that bill, Governor DeSantis stated he would issue an executive order banning vaccination passports or other other methods of proving individuals have been vaccinated, citing privacy concerns. He further called for the Florida Legislature to pass a bill making the ban permanent.
April 3, 2021 Update: Governor DeSantis has issued the promised executive order, effectively banning vaccine passports in Florida. Among other things, the EO states that it’s based upon Florida’s desire to protect individual freedom and patient privacy.
The executive order further indicates that requiring vaccine passports for taking part in everyday life–such as attending a sporting event, patronizing a restaurant, or going to a movie theater–would create two classes of citizens based on vaccination; and it is necessary to protect the fundamental rights and privacies of Floridians and the free flow of commerce within the state.
As for the mechanics of how the state accomplish the vaccine passport ban, the order states:
“No Florida government entity, or its subdivisions, agents, or assigns, shall be permitted to issue vaccine passports, vaccine passes, or other standardized documentation for the purpose of certifying an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination status to a third party, or otherwise publish or share any individual’s COVID-19 vaccination record or similar health information.”
Additionally: “Businesses in Florida are prohibited from requiring patrons or customers to provide any documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or post-transmission recovery to gain access to, entry upon, or service from the business.”
There had been some question about how Florida could enforce such an order at private businesses. That’s also addressed in the order, as businesses that are non-compliant with the order would not be eligible for state grants or state-funded contracts.
The new executive order seems to slam the door on vaccine passports in Florida. However, it also raises a number of questions, including how cruise lines or airlines would be able to operate out of Florida if those industries or international destinations require proof of vaccination.
That could raise potential issues for travel out of Florida. For example, it may be required of the cruise industry to verify vaccination status. As a company doing business in the state, that would put Disney Cruise Line in a precarious position. It would be something of a Catch-22: they potentially could not operate without requiring vaccinations, but could not check for them under this EO.
It would be a similar scenario for airlines operating out of Florida’s international airports. Numerous countries have set in motion plans for vaccine passports that will be required, and it’s probable the same will be true for international arrivals into the US. The European Union, for example, has announced a “Digital Green Certificate” that will be required for travel.
There’s also the possibility that businesses in Florida already implementing vaccine passport plans will challenge the executive order. All of this will need to be sorted out. It’s possible that subsequent EOs will issue carve-outs that sidestep some potential problems. Suffice to say, we probably haven’t heard the last on vaccine passports in Florida. So stay tuned!
Obviously, this has significant potential impacts for Walt Disney World. We’ve been discussing health rule relaxations for months here, and one counterpoint to that is always the potential for lawsuits. The newly-enacted law should sufficiently address that. (Unless we’re now going to quibble over what’s necessary for good faith efforts.)
Late last year, we covered digital health/vaccine passports being developed by IATA, CLEAR, and IBM that would allow users to share test and vaccination results in a verifiable and privacy-protecting manner. At the time, we speculated that Walt Disney World could be a potential candidate for using such a system. In multiple subsequent posts, we’ve called that unlikely.
In large part, our quick about-face was driven by reader comments. We anticipated a mixed reaction to the first discussion of vaccine passports, with a split of people for and against them. The actual response was overwhelmingly negative–probably 75% or more readers were against them.
One of the things we love about the comments section here is it gets us out of our own “bubble.” We may not always agree, but it’s invaluable to see other perspectives. In this case, I had been reading about vaccine passports extensively before posting that, and the response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic–just scattered privacy fears. However, that was in the context of international travel, where people (probably realistically) have the perspective that it’s this or nothing for 2021.
Walt Disney World and other domestic destinations are obviously different beasts entirely, and that was reflected in sentiment here. That’s not just here–we saw a lot of public pushback against digital passports and there’s a reason they haven’t gained much mainstream traction in the last several months.
Beyond that, the stellar vaccination rate in the United States pretty much obviates any need for a vaccine passport at Walt Disney World. By the time such a system could even theoretically roll out, it would be practically unnecessary thanks to widespread vaccine availability.
The topic of vaccine passports is now seemingly becoming grounds for the next culture war, so I’ll sidestep all of the impassioned arguing (and ask that commenters please do the same) and simply say that Walt Disney World is probably relieved by Florida’s move.
The executive order takes something controversial–that they probably would not have done at this point anyway–out of Walt Disney World’s hands. If visitors disagree with the approach, someone else is the villain.
The fact that Disney Cruise Line will not be requiring vaccinations before their upcoming United Kingdom “Disney Magic at Sea” summer staycation sailings lends credence to the position that Walt Disney World wouldn’t have used vaccine passports. Cruises are dramatically different in nature than theme parks (obviously), and are a better candidate for such a system–or requiring vaccines, in general.
Several cruise lines, most notably Royal Caribbean, are requiring proof of vaccinations for adults and pre-cruise testing for kids on their summer sailings. Disney is actually something of an outlier on that front, and my best guess there is that they don’t want to alienate a segment of their core demographic. Given how well the UK’s vaccine efforts are going and the limited nature of these sailings, it’s not like they’d struggle to fill the ships with such a requirement.
Part of me does wonder if, as with Florida’s move to ban vaccine passports, Disney Cruise Line would welcome this decision being taken out of their hands. The federal government has also stated that it will not develop or play a role in vaccine passports, so that eliminates an offering from the CDC. However, it’s possible CLIA could require something of its members. It’s also possible Disney Cruise Line will go a different route once longer sailings resume; it’s not really possible to have an outbreak aboard a 2-4 night sailing given average incubation periods.
I know by now that this is an unpopular opinion, but that’s my hope with cruises. I’m not the least bit concerned about my personal safety–once fully vaccinated, I will be ready to rock–but rather, the possibility of a cruise ending prematurely (CDC policy under the resumption framework) if something happens. Moreover, I’m not keen on wearing masks or dealing with a bunch of plexiglass on cruise ships this fall when vaccine verification and pre-cruise testing of kids is right there as a more effective and less burdensome alternative. That’s just me, though. We can agree to disagree on that.
On a somewhat related note, Walt Disney World is offering Cast Members an incentive to get inoculated by September 30, 2021. According to the above notice from the Unite Here 362 Walt Disney World Union’s Facebook page, Cast Members will get four hours of pay to get vaccinated.
Additionally, leaders will work with Cast Members on vaccination appointment scheduling, and will not record an attendance notation for Cast Members who miss time at work so long as they provide advance notice of the appointment. This is great news, and hopefully will help facilitate that return to normalcy we’ve been yammering on about so much! 😉
Let’s conclude with a more fun and lighthearted note: my dream job is open at Walt Disney World! Disney Live Entertainment has posted a job listing for Principal Fireworks Designer. This is the creative leader and overall representative for the Fireworks & Special Effects Design department.
Per the job listing, the demands of this role require an in-depth understanding of the “design intent and the ability for realizing it through the effective execution of the creative process.” Disney Live Entertainment’s Fireworks & Special Effects Principal Designer directs all special effects design including pyrotechnics, helping to prioritize, organize, and problem solve during entire course of a project.
Sadly, due to an “unfortunate incident” with fireworks in college, certain undisclosed parties are not allowing me to throw my hat in the ring for this role. (C’mon, it’s been over a decade, the statute of limitations has run on my offense!) There’s also the problem that all of my pyro experience is on the amateur circuit, and mostly relates to roman candles. That, and the reality that Disney Live Entertainment will likely hire from within, and this job listing is more a corporate formality than anything else. Still, dare to dream, amirite?!
What’s interesting here is that the first job responsibility listed is “participate in project’s creative development including blue sky brainstorming, project kick-offs, internal reviews and other project specific check-ins.” This does not relate to Harmonious, which is far beyond the blue sky stage–even though installation is still in progress, development is fully finished on EPCOT’s upcoming nighttime spectacular.
Prior to Walt Disney World’s closure, there were rumors of Magic Kingdom receiving a new fireworks show for the 50th Anniversary. I never put a ton of stock into that, as Happily Ever After is still incredibly popular and scores really well with guests. However, between the “Project Nugget” work and this job listing, perhaps that’s a possibility?
Personally, I’d love to see that. Disneyland’s approach to cycling through fireworks shows the last ~5 years has been really savvy, with fan favorites making occasional comebacks–and enhanced by projection mapping technology. That keeps things fresh and gives locals a reason to keep returning.
Walt Disney World is obviously more tourist-centric, but that’s less true today than it was during Wishes’ run. It would be a nice treat for the World’s Most Magical Celebration to have a special limited-run show paying homage to Magic Kingdom’s 50th Anniversary along the lines of “Celebrate Tokyo Disneyland.”
Importing a show from Japan might seem like idle daydreaming, especially when there are no fireworks, period, at Walt Disney World. However, something to keep in mind is that Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration will last (at least) 18 months. A new show debuting in March 2022 could still run for over a year.
Beyond that, a lot of Celebrate Tokyo Disneyland could be recycled since it was designed for Cinderella Castle and the parks share many of the same attractions. Roughly 90% of the show could be reused, with the rest only lightly modified. My only request/demand is that the Country Bears riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad segment is longer in the Magic Kingdom version. Fifteen minutes sounds about right.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Thoughts on any of this Walt Disney World news? Is it a good or bad idea of Walt Disney World to incentivize inoculations for Cast Members? Do you think it’s still possible Walt Disney World or Disney Cruise Line will use a vaccine passport, or is that idea pretty much dead at this point? Any theories about the fireworks designer job listing or 50th Anniversary fireworks at Magic Kingdom? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I would fully support the idea of a vaccine passport. I know that it will likely never happen, but just my opinion (which everyone is allowed to have their own and I respect that) as this is public health we are talking about. You cannot enter kindergarten in most states without certain vaccines or college without. Once this is more widespread to prevent more variations I feel it would encourage more people to become vaccinated. Hesitation causes variation….Billy Nye just said that on his Science Rules podcast and it has been my standpoint since the start of the rollout. Again just expressing my opinion that I value the health and safety of myself, my family and all of those around me. Have a magical day!
You do realize that Bill Nye isn’t a real scientist….right?
I will stay away from stay away from the debate about the somehow ideological debate on the passports, but wanted to add something to the logistical realities of it:
“The federal government has also stated that it will not develop or play a role in vaccine passports, so that eliminates an offering from the CDC.”
My wife, who’s a pharmacist for a supermarket chain and has been heavily involved with the vaccine clinics here in Delaware, made this point to me last night about the realities of the passport:
The logistics on it are extremely difficult, and the federal government likely doesn’t want to be involved with it because of the mess that currently exists. The problem is figuring out a program that could somehow coordinate 51 different vaccine tracking systems because every state has their own, different, system for tracking vaccine administration. She said it’s even to the point that there are issues tracking second doses for people who receive a first dose in one state and second dose in another (think “Snowbirds” who spend winters in the south, people who work in one state and live in another, etc.). Because every state has its own, independent system, those people are essentially recorded as having first doses in each state, but not recorded as having a second dose anywhere (other than a handwritten card). Since the entire system was fractured from the start and there was never any coordinated federal effort, it’s probably too late in the game for the federal government to want to wade into that mess. It sounds like it will also be a major hurdle for the software developers to deal with in creating such passports.
Very interesting, and certainly makes sense when you hear it. Thanks for sharing!
I have no issues with a vaccine passport. Partly because I believe in vaccines as a means of protecting the most people on the best way possible, and partly because, short of absolutely strict and constant vigilance, personal data is so far past our control that it doesn’t matter. I don’t necessarily want to freely share my entire health history, but I have no issue with sharing proof of vaccination. I’d take that any day over the fingerprint scan. I hated that. Certainly don’t do that or the face scan on my iPhone. I would never ever send my DNA in to 23 & Me or Ancestry. Again, I’d rather share my vaccine record stamped on my forehead over those other, much more personal intrusions. Anyway, I am sure it will be required for international travel, but I suppose that’s not much different than already sometimes being required to have certain shots and to always show a passport.
I realize this my avoidance of my opinion on the vaccine passport coupled with the negative tone of my post may have unintentionally come across as me arguing against the idea of the vaccine passport. I actually have no issue with the passports and, while the data is increasingly promising that being vaccinated means being protected from the virus and from spreading it – not just not dying or being hospitalized from it, my kids will not be vaccinated for some time yet. As such I would feel much more comfortable going to a business (or theme park) where I know that others have been fully vaccinated or at least tested negative very recently (I realize there would have to be medical exceptions, unlike for masks – for example, apparently if you have allergies and require the use of an epipen for your first vaccine dose, you are not allowed to get the second dose).
I also have no concerns about privacy about being vaccinated (although maybe if people think I’m NOT vaccinated they’ll still physically distance from me in the queues . . . hmmm, need to think this through). Google and Facebook are likely selling far more personal information on a daily basis. The reality with the medical passport is that states ALREADY have the data as to whether you’ve been vaccinated and tested. The idea of the passport is to merely pass along, likely with just a QR code that would get scanned and then give an “ok” or green light or something, and give no information to anyone – which my wife was also pointing out in our conversation about this – she’s highly sensitive to HIPAA protections and laws and thinks this is just a big nothing. All they’d have to is just pass along a thumbs up/thumbs down, and there’s no private information there. It’s not like you’re disclosing personal information to the state in order to get the okay – they’re keeping track (or supposed to be) of who’s getting the vaccine.
Back to my original post – the problem is that the groundwork was never properly laid to make such a program smooth, efficient, or easy, because nothing was built (as it should have been a year ago when they started pushing and funding the vaccine development) to at least have a uniform system that can communicate across state lines, if not just have one system altogether.
(So I ended up discussing it somewhat after all, which I was trying to avoid.)
I’m sorry! I should have been more clear in that I appreciated that insight on the systems (or lack thereof) which totally makes sense. Then I went on to just jabber in general about my own thoughts independent of your post. I didn’t mean those directed toward you. But, you makes another batch of excellent points, so it worked out. 😉
I can’t believe everyone is talking about vaccine passports when Tom, clearly, buried the lead. There is a show on this planet that includes scenes of the Country Bears riding Big Thunder?!?!?!?!? I will agree to any form of required passport to lay my eyes on THAT!!
Heck yes!
YES Kelly,
The Country Bears were the hidden gem of that story. I clicked on the link to watch. made my day!
I wonder what would happen if we talked about something else for a little while.
There are plenty of other posts if you don’t want to participate in this conversation. This is a great site so feel free to participate in posts that you like.
I thought the part about Tom and his fireworks antics was pretty funny. That was a part I liked a lot.
One does have to wonder about that potential dark horse external candidate out there who Disney is not expecting to apply. That person who has been freelance writing fireworks shows on the small town circuit for years but who is ready to step up to the big leagues after finally logging their one-millionth-explosion. Dream big, dark horse. Dream big…
It’s that age-old conundrum: How does one become a fireworks blower-upper if every fireworks blower-upper job requires experience as a fireworks blower-upper?
I was actually against passports, since I have been hesitant to get the vaccine until more time has passed and I’d seen any potential impacts. However, reading some of the charged comments on this post has actually changed my mind completely in both directions.
Passports seem more reasonable to me than fingerprint scans which were in use at the park prior to Covid, and there have been some other excellent points raised. If people could be counted on to practice safe habits I wouldn’t mind them not being used at parks, but the US has not proven to be particularly great at that over the last year. I definitely would like to see them for cruise ships where there is no real way to avoid prolonged indoor contact with others, and International travel makes sense too.
“The actual response was overwhelmingly negative—probably 75% or more readers were against them.”
My hope for the country just increased a smidge.
For those who have had the vaccine why couldnt they get an armband after showing proof so they wouldnt have to wear a mask
Because you can still spread the virus if you’ve had the vaccine. You don’t wear a mask to only protect yourself – it is also used to protect others
Until we reach at least, and that is very least, 80% of the population vaccinated, we will still spread it and cause more variations.
There should be no magic without vaccination. Period.
In response to BenBen
March 31, 2021
There should be no magic without vaccination.
I have been to Disney once a week since they reopened and there is lots of magic.. Maybe what you meant is that it wouldn’t be magical for you without the vaccine but the rest of us have been having a magical time since last July!
In answer to Craig.
Directly off the CDC website today:At this time, we do not know if COVID-19 vaccination will have any effect on preventing transmission. Some people can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 but remain asymptomatic. It is important to know whether COVID-19 vaccines can help reduce the number of people that have asymptomatic infection as these people can unknowingly spread the virus to others.
CDC will further assess the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines after they are approved or authorized for emergency use by FDA and recommended for public use. A special type of cohort study will try to answer the question about whether vaccinated persons can develop asymptomatic infections and spread the virus to others. People who agree to participate will be tested for COVID-19 every week, whether they have symptoms or not. Experts will then compare the proportion of people with infection who were vaccinated to the proportion of people with infection who were not vaccinated.
Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine will also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help us get back to normal. Learn more about the benefits of getting vaccinated.
Learn more about how CDC and other federal partners are ensuring that vaccines work.
So that states….
“Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19.”
Which is why I was saying claiming it does not was untrue.
As for the transmission element, the CDC state they are still learning,. There are multiple studies from other countries such as the UK and Israel which have data showing it is highly effective at preventing transmission. There are now literally millions of people vaccinated and the data is showing this conclusively.
The CDC will only state that as fact when all the studies are in, peer-reviewed and confirmed. It prevents transmission. There is no argument.
The CDC website guidance is lagging behind the data. CDC study on infection (and by extension, transmission) released Monday: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0329-COVID-19-Vaccines.html
An interview yesterday with the CDC director: https://twitter.com/therecount/status/1376950399232573442
This all corroborates real world results and studies in Israel. The CDC’s previous “we don’t know” guidance was erring on the side of caution, arguably to an overly extreme degree.
Well I would like to know that all cast members are vaccinated. I have no problem with Americans
. It is the foreign travelers that scare me. If they are allowed into parks and not knowing if they are vaccinated could put a damper on vacation!
It’s already been proven, if you’ve been vaccinated with Pfizer or Moderna you will not spend the virus or get it. But let’s face it many people going to Disney are bringing Children. They have not been vaccinated, and can spread it to other children.
You stated that “Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19.” If that is true than how can you transmit something you don’t have?? If that came from the CDC then it sounds like double-speak to say you can get the symptoms and spread it even after the shots. Or the phrase I hear often now. “They keep moving the goalposts.”
Yes, I had Covid 19 (no vaccine) and I had sniffles for two days and that was it. One medical article I read, forget which one, said that those who have had Covid 19 and has recovered probably can’t spread it.
I am headed to WDW in May, and yes I will wear a mask without vocally complaining. I have had a breathing problem and the mask challenges me there but I am tired of being in the house and not enjoying life.
I want a carrot cake cookie from HS!!!!!
I have no issue with anyone posting their personal perspective for or against vaccine passports and the basis for that, or pretty much anything else that’s respectful. I don’t really care which “side” of this you’re on—just present your perspective in a way that is not unnecessarily charged or inflammatory.
Everyone needs to take a deep breath before commenting and evaluate whether what they’re about to type is really adding words of value to the conversation, or just being abrasive, antagonistic, or nasty. Anything of the latter variety will be deleted.
Thank you Tom there were a lot of comments showing up that were making me feel uncomfortable. I appreciate your efforts in mediating your blog!
Just realized I have never added words of value. [Charlie Brown head-down music]
Hi, Tom. ‘Just chiming in because of your mention in your article that you were surprised by your readers’ reaction to vaccine passports so hopefully that means my comment is of some value. Briefly, we’ve decided as a family not to travel anywhere (or with any company) that requires a vaccine passport. It’s impossible to know where that will lead. We look back to last year when folks were asked for “just two weeks to slow the spread,” never dreaming of the restrictions that grew from there. There are solutions other than handing the government more control and responsibility as it often performs poorly with both.
Debbie I agree with you. I was responding to Hermosa who is concerned that not having a proof of vaccination to get into the park makes her feel unsafe. If you think the vaccinations are helpful and should be required, then naturally you should’ve gotten one and so you should be safe. Others shouldn’t be forced into it. Take personal responsibility.
That would be a hard no for mandatory vaccine passports in the US. You set a precedent that you will never be able to walk away from. Give the government an inch and they will take it all. If you believe in the vaccine will protect you or mitigate the issues associated with the virus, by all means get it and feel safer for it. However, losing our privacy and freedom is too big a price. Previous generations paid too great a price for our freedoms to squander them away for something that can be mitigated by personal choice.
I agree 100%, Adam.
I’d feel safer with a vaccine requirement prior to boarding a cruise than not…European booked for summer 2022…!
Not thrilled with this news. The vaccination will be available to all by the end of April and at the current rate of vaccination, we should be close to 70-80% of the US population being vaccinated by the end of summer. Private businesses. especially large gathering areas like airlines, sports stadiums and theme parks should require a vaccination to enter and the vaccine passport is an excellent idea.
The only thing more terrifying than vaccine passports being required to participate in society is the amount of people who think it’s actually a good idea.
Jeremy, very true. Unfortunately people don’t understand their history, and they have a bizarre level of trust in large corporations. It’s an interesting dynamic wherein people seem to simultaneously trust these businesses as if they’re some sort of corporate caregiver, yet also seem to recognize that they are solely interested in money and literally nothing else. How can both those things be true? Well, they can’t, but for the sake of “feeling safe”, the general population will engage in whatever mental gymnastics are required to get past the silliness of the whole thought process. Quite bizarre.
I can’t understand why it’s bizarre or terrifying to some that an individual might need to provide proof of vaccination for a pandemic level virus. Proof of vaccines have long been required for public education or instances of international travel and that hasn’t thrown the Earth off it’s axis. There is no hidden evil government or corporate motive for this nor is this to promote a sense of false safety. In my opinion, participating in society is about an individual’s civic duty and role in said society working towards the common good.
How any American citizen doesn’t consider an authoritarian edict, such as requiring a vaccine passport to participate in commerce in this country, a direct violation of their rights is beyond me.
Everyone has to make their own calculation about public good vs individual freedom and see where they land. Personally, I try and err on the side of public good.
Thank you Fred!
There are however people who simply can’t be vaccinated due to allergies, or other medical reasons that their doctors have told them it’s not safe to do so. For those people being told they can’t enter a theme park, simply because they have legitimate reasons for not being able to get vaccinated isn’t exactly fair that they’re forced to miss out on everything.
A vaccine passport is the start of no longer being able to freely leave your home without government approval. The thought that people would get behind this idea because of a virus with a 98%+ survival rate is astounding. The level of faith people have in government is equally astounding.
Very pleased with all of your news today! The government needs to stay out of my personal health or anything else for that matter. Hopefully, Texas will follow.
No vaccine passports! I am so grateful that Florida and Disney World will hopefully not be requiring them! Yay!!!
I’m not sure that Florida’s shield law, if passed, is a major win for Disney. First, there’s the practical fact that IMO it’s inevitable that someone is going to challenge the law. Until the case winds its way through courts and presumably eventually the US Supreme Court issues a final ruling it’s a dangerous unknown for Disney – do they want to assume the law will stand up to a challenge? And given the huge potential negative impact a ruling that the shield is unconstitutional will have, it’s a big risk for a company to take. And it could take years for it to be resolved, by which time (hopefully) the current crisis will be long past and the law would be by then irrelevant.
Second, there’s the PR aspect. I don’t think Disney wants to be in a position of essentially admitting guests got infected but they’re going to avoid any liability because of the law. Many will interpret this as a greedy corporation avoid responsibility, which is not the image that Disney has spent decades cultivating.
Obviously Disney may not agree with these thoughts. I’m not predicting they will, just giving my opinions on the issues they may be facing in their decision making process.
From a UK perspective (mind you, does being in the US for the past 3 months make me an honorary American? 😉 ), the only comment I’d be prepared to make on passporting is that the case for it decreases as the level of “acceptance when offered” increases.
More interesting to me is temperature checks: this has the potential to be a bottleneck on entry and is something Disney is actively asking about in surveys. In many countries, they routinely use wide scale infra red temperature sensors and look at people passing by on a camera. That seems both safer and minimally disruptive/invasive, but maybe there are concerns about effectiveness?
The infra cameras are highly sensitive. When people stand out side and then walk past them they flag as fever when in reality theybare not. Now they have have peoole.stand aside in the shade for 15 min to let the skin cool down and the rescan. I know as many companies I know have this issue.
The two areas I could see a vaccine passport being used is for international travel and cruise lines. It is my understanding that some countries in Europe have already put in place for international travelers that they will need to prove vaccination before entering. I have a co worker whom touts herself as being “anti-vax”. She does not get any vaccinations and neither do any of her children; however in a strange twist of events she has let us know she plans on getting the J&J Covid Vaccine for her and her family because they want to travel to Europe next year and are being told they will need to prove they have been vaccinated. On that same note if a cruise ship leaves out of one of those countries I feel like it would be no different and they would require proof of vaccination. I agree with you Tom that cruise ships are a completely different animal than theme parks and would rather see them require proof of vaccination or negative test for kiddos than deal with masks and crazy restrictions on a cruise. We have one scheduled for Feb 2022 and I am more than prepared to cancel it if there will be restrictions in place. I highly doubt though vaccine passports will be used for any domestic travel in the US. Like you, I just do not see the public going along with it. But it does make me chuckle as others have pointed out you already need to prove vaccination records for kiddos to enter school, sports for your kiddos, and some jobs (such as my own and they needed my vaccination records due to the nature of the job), so this is not a new or novel idea.
No, not a new or novel idea however all the vaccinations that are required are FDA approved, not just approved for Emergency use due to pandemic. Obviously this vaccine has not been completely vetted as other vaccines simply because it is too new and some things can not be checked at this time. Long term effects, etc. Once the pandemic is over these companies will have to apply for FDA approval and the process is much different.
@ Katie. I hear what you are saying, but the fact still is sometimes you do need to show your vaccination record. Many things that we consume/use on a daily basis are not FDA approved, but people do not seem to mind that or care for that matter. That part does not both me given the strong scientific evidence of the effectiveness of the vaccine. I do not consider vaccination record medical information. The CDC card I got after getting the Covid vaccine is literally my name, date of birth and the lot number it came from and the date it was given. There is no other information on it, certainly not any medical history. The print out I had to give to my son’s school shows the vaccines he has received and the date he got them. Again nothing more, certainly not medical history. As I stated I doubt the US would adopt a passport to travel domestically. I just cannot see it happening. I still think we will need it to travel internationally as I have stated other countries are planning on requiring it and if we do not like it we just wont go to those countries.
Whichever outcome Florida makes regarding vaccine passport, the one thing that will impact 90% of all traveller to the USA, is Travel Insurance. My guess, at a $1 to a penny, all travel insurance companies will ask if you have had the vaccine, depending on age and the ‘roll out’. Watch the prices rise when you say no and your age group has already been ‘called’. However, lets just keep staying safe and hope we can get back to normal as soon as possible. Our holiday is already booked for beginning October. Get the travel corridor in place and we’ll be there.
Ugh I just really wish they’d require immunity or a rapid test. I used to feel so safe at Disney and feel like other folks visiting were so cordial and kind. As a nurse, I just don’t get how that Disney spirit doesn’t translate into wanting to come together to make a super safe zone/bubble for everyone. I’m leaning toward renting my DVC points out this year.
If you are so concerned, then why don’t you just get the vaccine yourself? Shouldn’t that solve the problem?
Being a nurse I am sure you know that having a vaccine does not mean you will not get the virus and having a test only proves you don’t have it when you do the test.
As a nurse you know you can test negative today and then tomorrow catch it so the test doesn’t do nothing. Better if those concerned stay home?
I don’t want to get into this increasingly heated debate here but I keep seeing comments like
“the vaccine doesn’t prevent you from getting it or spreading it. Just lessens the symptoms”
That is simply untrue as evidenced in every study of the vaccine roll out to date.
Craig, I’ve deleted such comments as factually inaccurate. Unfortunately, that bit of misinformation is arguably the CDC’s own doing, and I fear they’re going to have a difficult time explaining the good–but expected–news.
Hermosa: I don’t think it’s possible to make disney a “safe bubble”. The nature of the whole park/resort system makes it unattainable, IMO>
There are many foreign visitors from all over, and always has been. We don’t know what they have or do not have medically. The close proximity of everyone while at disney with their crowds, lines, etc. does not promote safeness at all, never has and never will. We always, always get sick at the end of our disney trips. It is a upper respiratory type illness 90% of the time. It happens every visit. We use hand sanitizer, wash hands frequently, stay away from sneezers and coughers as much as possible (all before covid), and still get sick every time.
I think wdw is a petri dish for viruses and illnesses due to all of the above.
It would nice for WDW to be a nice, safe bubble for all, but I don’t think that will ever happen in the real world.