Disney World News: Pyro Pixie Dust, More Layoffs, Digital Health Passport
We’re back with another Walt Disney World news & rumor round-up. This one covers the return of fireworks at Magic Kingdom and increases to the number of Cast Member layoffs this year and in 2021. We also cover the prospects of a digital health passport system that could allow theme parks and other businesses to verify health credentials of guests, requiring proof of a negative test or vaccination, and only allowing entry to those who comply.
Let’s start with fireworks returning to Magic Kingdom. Over the holiday weekend, Walt Disney World quietly announced that “pyrotechnic pixie-dust moments” have returned, adding occasional bursts of merriment each night at Magic Kingdom as Cinderella Castle is transformed by Christmas projection effects. These magical holiday touches are presently scheduled to occur nightly through December 30, 2020.
We previously covered the projections in Cinderella Castle Christmas Scenes: Crowds, Photos & Info. That post was somewhat critical of the effects, suggesting that guest response and operational realities necessitated further tweaking of this idea. Our evening visits to Magic Kingdom in the weeks since then have only further reinforced that belief, and up until now, we frankly had wondered why Walt Disney World had not implemented any of the (frankly) quick fixes. Well, now we know why…
Previously, it made little sense that each projection would last for 15 minutes, as the result was guests lingering around Main Street, waiting for the complete cycle. The hour required to see every Cinderella Castle Christmas scene meant more guests congregating around the front of the park, which is precisely what Walt Disney World indicated it’s trying to avoid when cancelling nighttime spectaculars.
Now, it makes more sense that each projection is displayed for 15 minutes, because the pyro occurs during the transition between two cycles. (Meaning this isn’t really random at all.) If a scene change happened every two minutes, and the low-level pyro was shot off along with it, that would be a lot of fireworks throughout the course of the night…and also cause even more crowding.
Presumably, these scenes were developed with the fireworks bursts in mind, and the pyro is just now being inserted as Magic Kingdom attendance is picking up. That doesn’t mean the longer cycles are now suddenly a good idea (to the contrary, they’re still a bad idea), but at least they make some degree of sense.
The ‘best of both worlds’ solution is to shorten the projection cycle times, and truly randomize when the pyro is launched. Even that approach is still imperfect. The promise of seeing fireworks is going to cause some guests to linger around Cinderella Castle no matter how Disney does things. Those changes could minimize how many and how long some guests wait, though.
Unless more pyro is added, this is unrelated to the recent Project Nugget Fireworks Test at Magic Kingdom. That involved the rear launch sites behind the park; this utilizes low-level pyro shot from Fantasyland rooftops and Cinderella Castle itself.
On a related note, we watched the Project Nugget fireworks test and still have no clue what purpose it served. As we said before, it could be an oblique reference to something for the golden milestone of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, or simply opportunistic infrastructure upgrades occurring while there are not nightly pyro launches.
Or, it could be a precursor to more fireworks returning prior to Fall 2021. While we’re not optimistic that Walt Disney World is in any rush to bring back nighttime spectaculars, the digital health passes (discussed below) could accelerate the timeline of the phased reopening plan. (Basically, your guess is as good as ours at this point.)
Next, Disney plans to lay off around 32,000 Cast Members at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, the company revealed in a recent 10-K filing with the SEC. Per the regulatory filing, this is happening due to the current business climate and changing environment in which Disney is operating, and the company has “generated efficiencies in its staffing, including limiting hiring to critical business roles, furloughs, and reductions-in-force.”
This reflects an increase of 4,000 compared to the 28,000 layoffs Disney Parks, Experiences and Products initially announced back. These layoffs will occur in the first half of Disney’s fiscal year 2021, which ends in March 2021. Additionally, Disney revealed in the same filing that as of October 3, 2020, approximately 37,000 employees who are not scheduled for employment termination remained on furlough.
Obviously, it’s been a rough few months for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products (borne out by the quarterly results), especially with Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line not operating. However, we had hoped that Walt Disney World’s improved performance would help buoy the division.
Moreover, it’s difficult to feel much sympathy for the company itself when it has $17.9 billion in cash on hand that could be used to weather the current storm. Disney’s leadership is undoubtedly in a tough position, faced with a variety of no-win scenarios. However, there’s a reason “generated efficiencies” appears in that regulatory filing and “saved jobs” does not. It doesn’t require much speculation to see where leadership’s priorities lie.
While we’re on the topic, we want to once again plug our charity initiative to Help Give Back to Disney Cast Members & Community and also thank everyone profusely for the outpouring of support. Given that furloughs and layoffs are continuing throughout Central Florida during the holiday season, more help is still needed.
Many of you have contributed, and we’ve now raised over $63,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. We also wanted to give an update with the tangible results of the fundraiser: a distribution consisting of two trucks filled with 60,000 pounds of food to feed families in need, with another still to come. We are incredibly humbled and heartened by all of your support—DTB readers proving yet again that you are all the best!
Finally, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is in the final stage of developing a new digital health passport called the IATA Travel Pass. This digital Travel Pass will display a record of its user’s records, allowing them to share their tests and vaccination results in a safe, verifiable, and privacy-protecting manner. The organization and many operators view this as vital to safely restarting travel.
IATA is just one of several groups developing digital travel passports (the CLEAR Health Pass and IBM Digital Health Pass are other such initiatives) designed to provide organizations with a smart way to bring people back to a physical location, such as a workplace, school, stadium, airport…or Walt Disney World. IATA’s just so happens to be the one geared primarily towards travel, and is more likely to be the one adopted by the industry.
These digital passports will allow businesses to verify health credentials for employees, customers, and visitors entering their site based on criteria specified by the organization. These systems promise flexible and customizable infrastructure, that fits a variety of situations based on numerous data sources. For example, travel and transportation companies may have a more stringent system for establishing the wellness status for passengers boarding a plane or staying in an on-site hotel than would a third-party restaurant seating guests outdoors at Disney Springs.
For users, privacy will be central to the solution, with people being able to maintain control of their personal health information and share it in a way that is secured and with organizations they trust. Individuals can share their credentials to return to the places they love, without requiring exposure of the underlying personal data used to generate the credential.
The IATA digital health passports is still being developed, but others are actually ready to roll. The IATA Travel Pass will launch in the first quarter of 2021, and is particularly intriguing because it’s expected that many airlines and locations will quickly adopt it in lieu of quarantines.
Keep in mind that this is entirely speculative on our part and not official. However, we feel it’s possible that Walt Disney World will utilize such a solution. We’re sharing this, like we did our prediction that face masks would be mandatory long before Walt Disney World officially announced the policy, so you can mentally prepare yourself for the possibility now.
With almost every airline plus companies like Ticketmaster already indicating that they will require a digital health pass for boarding flights or attending concerts (as the case may be), it’s an inevitability that more businesses will follow suit. As with current health safety protocol, Walt Disney World is a candidate for such a system for several reasons. One big reason is that Cast Member unions might push for it. Another is Disney’s longstanding reputation as being on the forefront of safety.
From our perspective, the potential timeframe and how Walt Disney World could utilize such a digital health pass is fascinating. We’ve been following this topic for international travel purposes, and there a late Spring 2021 rollout seems most likely. However, our expectation is that airlines will adopt this program prior to other travel providers to reopen international borders; Summer 2021 seems more realistic for domestic purposes. While a lot remains to be seen, Walt Disney World could require proof of a vaccination or negative test result X days before checking into a hotel or first-use of tickets. It’s possible that the digital health pass could even interface with the Disney Park Pass or My Disney Experience infrastructure. (Not that Disney IT needs more moving parts…)
Over the course of the next few months, as the “light at the end of the tunnel” becomes brighter, we’d anticipate this becoming a hot topic with polarizing opinions. Cutting through all of that, we think there are likely two scenarios: one with a system like this in place that offers a shortcut to dropping other health safety protocol and allows an earlier return to normalcy than otherwise. And another scenario with the status quo continuing into Fall 2021, at which point said measures are dropped. Neither option is optimal, but given the choice, we’ll take the digital health pass without hesitation.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Thoughts on any of this Walt Disney World news? Disappointed by the additional layoffs in the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products division? Concerned about Walt Disney World potentially using a digital health passport, or do you welcome that system if it means an earlier return to normalcy? Any theories about 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!
A digital health pass is useless. There is a “pecking order” or timeline as to who can get a vaccine and when. I am neither a healthcare professional, older person in a care facility, teacher or first responder. I have no underling health issues and am not over 65. I am not a prisoner…all groups who are scheduled to get a vaccine before i am eligible. Therefore, i would be grounded from traveling or entering places because I cant get a vaccine and thus a digital health pass (assuming i would want one thats a whole other issue)I understand the need for a plan to roll out a vaccine. I do not want to be penalized because i cant get one until its my group’s timeline.
For this reason, I can’t imagine Walt Disney World rolls out a system like this until the vaccine is widely available (and has been for a couple of months). If they use it at all.
A further division into “haves” and “have nots”–This is exactly my concern. Being forty-somethings with teens I can’t imagine we’re going to be very high on the list of people allowed to get the vaccine either. I appreciate Tom’s comment here that he believes this to be a reason Disney would wait to adopt such a requirement, but how long would they wait, really? Until 60% have access to a vaccine? Until 80% have access?
If Disney does this (which, again, is still a big if at this point), it’ll be about getting their business back to normal and full capacity faster. If only 60% of the population has had access to the vaccine–and that skews disproportionately towards older/vulnerable populations–this would not accomplish that goal.
They’ll presumably need to wait until their core demographic–families–has widespread access.
Healthcare worker here. You’d be surprised at the number of us who DON’T want to be vaccinated, at least at first, as this vaccine has been developed and approved in much less time than the usual process.
Thus far, as of about 2-3 weeks ago, the Chief Medical Officer of the site I work for (part of a large healthcare system) stated, when asked, that the vaccine would NOT be mandatory)unlike flu shots, which have been mandatory for several years).
Can’t help but wonder if the fact that some sources say the possible side effects may be flu like symptoms and recommend those who get vaccinated should possibly have three paid days off work to deal with any side effects had anything to do with it (30K plus employees in our system)….
@ Pete. Also work in the Healthcare field and there are just as many of us ready to get vaccinated. Most of my co workers that I have talked to across all of my facilities in the Southern part of Maine are ready to get the vaccine. I guess it depends were you live, but I have been told from senior management that it very well may be mandatory to get the vaccine due to the type of work setting we are in. I am not sure why people are calling the side effects “horrendous”. I have been following the research of the vaccines pretty closely (and yes I mean research, not news media sites) and the side effects being reported are pretty common for any vaccine. Muscle ache at injection site, flu like symptoms with a fever, cough or weakness. All pretty common symptoms of a vaccine. And my personal opinion around this is if I can get a vaccine as a healthy individual to help stop a global pandemic, get things back to normal (yes I am over the masks and living like this). protect the immunocompromised people in my family and get people back to work, then some flu like symptoms is a very small price to pay to help make that happen. Just my two cents.
I’m not a scientist so maybe I’m wrong but if you get a vaccine, that means you’re protected from somebody who might be contagious. (provided the vaccine actually works) Why would somebody who chooses to not get one not be allowed into a park or a plane? I’ve never gotten the flu shot and never had the flu. Maybe I’m lucky but I also wash my hands often enough among other things to avoid it. I guess the same can be said for COVID.
Not entirely. When they say a vaccine has 95% efficacy, that means that only 5% of the group that was vaccinated contracted COVID. (They had much milder cases, however). It isn’t a guarantee. If enough of us are immunized, that makes it much harder to spread–if an infected person can only infect one person out of 20 in an immunized group, it cuts down on spread. If you also consider that people who have already had it are effectively immunized for some time (it’s possible but very uncommon to get it a second time), you can see how if 60-70% of people are immunized, it will slow down the spread hugely.
Because it’s not about public health, it’s about control.
I really don’t want to take a new vaccine that has not been proven to have no long term side effects on me. This is a new type of vaccine also. I’d hate to say goodbye to my Disney trips.
Much earlier this year, when I thought I would be traveling to South America, I had a heck of a time getting my vaccine records from the doctor’s office, so I can see the advantage and like idea of having an electronic record for my vaccines. Especially if the app is going to have country’s requirements, and I can identify any vaccine gaps for travel instead of having to call the doctors office many, many times trying to get the information. I don’t personally view vaccine records as super-sensitive medical history, because, as others have mentioned, countries, schools and some places of work require proof of vaccines. However, that being said, I’m not sure I like the idea of calling it a “Health Passport” because that can imply that it can be expanded to cover other medical information. While I’m all for it as a vaccine record, I can understand why many people are hesitant because of what it may become.
“While I’m all for it as a vaccine record, I can understand why many people are hesitant because of what it may become.”
I think the slippery slope concerns are somewhat valid, especially with employers. I have a hard time envisioning airlines or Walt Disney World wanting more or any information like this in the long term.
As with the health safety protocol, what’s Disney’s incentive for doing so any longer than necessary? It’s a hassle for them that discourages at least some segment of visitors. There’s no rational business motivation for keeping such measures in place long-term. (Cruise lines are a potentially different story, but even there I don’t see this becoming a permanent thing.)
We’ll find out in probably February – March which direction everything is going. I could see airlines requiring a vaccine or test for some time at least and maybe even permanently on international flights. Would Disney, Ticketmaster, or stadiums require vaccines or tests – I’m skeptical. Especially with stadiums you would end up with a patchwork because they’re locally controlled by teams. Stanford would require a health passport for sure. Alabama, no way.
Sure, we could go the way of health passports but it’ll depend on how long all this lasts and what the real goals are for a vaccine rollout. There seems to be a huge disconnect between reality and the textbooks.
I actually get more of the vibe that most people are just waiting to be allowed to do things. Remember that we were all supposed to be taking at-home tests by now, we were supposed to all be required to download contact tracing apps, we were supposed to have accurate 10-minute result tests by now, we were supposed to be doing a lot of things that haven’t come to fruition and seem to have been dropped altogether.
I plan on getting the vaccine so as a practical matter for me I don’t care if we need a health check. The privacy concerns make me uneasy though.
Agree with literally everything you’ve said. Especially the disconnect between what has been possible/promised and what has actually come to fruition.
I think this might be different to the extent that there are businesses financially incentivized to implement such a system (instead of waiting) to get things back to normal on an accelerated timeline. For Walt Disney World, it could be the difference between operating at 35-40% versus going back to 100% and seating every table in restaurants.
I’d also expect public attitudes to shift over the next few months on this. No business wants to be the first to announce they’ll be using such an approach for fear of public backlash, but I suspect companies will jump on board once it reaches something of a critical mass. Especially if/when the airlines announce. Then again, maybe Walt Disney World will deem it unnecessary if all the airlines are requiring it, anyway. As with the face mask rule, I’m sure it’ll be a calculated decision with more than just health safety in mind.
Hey, we were all supposed to have flying cars by now too! Where’s mine?
Hey, maybe this is a great time to get rid of the ridiculous Ticketmaster extortion fees for good. They’ve been driving prices up too much for far too long…
If they do this we will never go back to disney. Do the words “Show us your papers ” hit home to anybody. It should, Germany 1940. This is still America
I completely agree and have been going regularly to WDW since 1972. I won’t get a digital health pass and refuse to be forcibly vaccinated.
Absolute agree with you!!!
Agreed. It’s insane that people are willing to do this just so they can go back to an amusement park. Once they start this, I guarantee it won’t be temporary. It’s how they’ll start forcing us to do what they want if we want to carry out a normal life. Not ok.
So in the name of this new reasoning for demanding people yield their personal health decisions to the corporations of America, if you have to prove vaccination for CV-19, why not the flu also? Where is the line? Why not just go all out and say every child and adult must be vaccinated for EVERYTHING at all times to enter the parks, including the annual flu shot – all in the name of ‘safety’. Actually, we could require health pass to shop at the grocery store, too, since those are “private businesses”. Need a gallon of milk or some formula for your child? Better visit the local clinic first so as not to endanger other shoppers. After all, the technology is there for our “safety” – what could possibly go wrong?
Couldn’t agree more. Will happily be selling our DVC if this comes to fruition!
You’re exactly right! This is much bigger than protecting against covid. It’s already happening in China. How long until we have “compliance ratings” like China does? Low rate means no flying, no renting, no hotels…
I truly hope Disney does not implement this. We will walk away from them completely.
Ridiculous. I love the idea that giant corporations telling us “your privacy is important to us” is convincing to anyone. Yep, your information won’t be shared with anyone. Just like how Disney cares more about magic and pixie dust than it does making money, right?
I agree with JB the Healthcare worker – my kids (and I suspect everyone else’s on here) have to provide proof of vaccinations to go to school. My husband works in a field where he has to provide proof of various vaccinations. This is to show you are responsible enough to vaccinate yourself and protect others from catching a disease from you. As for all those who said its a “99.9% survival rate unless you are elderly or immuno compromised” well I am one of those immuno compromised, and resent that attitude that you can make your “personal” decisions and damn everyone else. Your right to go out in public as a health threat ends at everyone else’s right not to be endangered by you. (I also wonder if in that 99.9% you are considering that long term effects – sure you might survive, but that doesn’t mean you suffer no ill effects for months after. And what if your loved one was one of those 0.01%, would you feel as cavalier about it?) If you “won’t go to Disney” (or anywhere else) if you have to wear a mask/get vaccine, GOOD. Then don’t travel. That’s your choice too. And it keeps the rest of us safe from you.
Disney had our credit card “compromised” during our last visit there. Granted, they did everything above and beyond to make this up to us, but I can cancel a credit card. If someone steals my health information or social security number, it isn’t such an easy fix.
Waiting to see, but certainly feels like the direction many companies may be going. Do not agree at all, as it does feel a little like a forced vaccination. Sigh. The travel industry is sure a tough place to work rt now and does not seem like there is a light at the end of tunnel just yet.
If masks are as effective as they claim they are, why do you need my personal medical information? As others have already mentioned, a negative test result basically means zip. Sorry, but no. People are willingly giving away too much of their freedom due to fear. Fear of a virus that has a 99.9% survival rate if you are not elderly or immuno-compromised. Look at the data. I have put up with wearing a mask as it was a compromise to me that avoids lockdowns. I will not be sharing my personal medical information with corporations.
My guess is that the final implementation of this by travel providers will be vaccine or nothing. IATA, IBM, and others developing the health passports are just giving test results and “other data” as things that could be compiled.
100% agree, Jeff. This is unbelievable!
One more step closer to forced vaccination. China already has a system like this – I’d encourage you to look into it before jumping on board with this in the US. It’s just the beginning.
I won’t be visiting any place that requires my medical history to enter. The choice to vaccinate is between myself and my doctor.
While I can understand the trepidation, this isn’t a blanket system being required by the government. It’s a solution created by the travel industry to restart business and reopen borders that promises privacy.
It’s also not particularly new or novel. Some countries already require proof of vaccination for certain diseases, like yellow fever or polio. I’d hazard a guess that there are already Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney itineraries to such places.
I am all for a Health pass if it means getting back to normal, ie no more masks, and 6 ft rules. Working in the Heath field I have to show proof of vaccination for work due to my setting. My son has to have vaccinations to go to school. I don’t see this as any different as long as HIPPA is complied with. I am assuming it will be like any other health system that stores information used right now in every practice that is medical related. I just hope this does in fact mean places like Disney If they adopt this will drop all of there current safety measures, bring shows and entertainment back, and bring back cast members. I think all the research that has come out so far with the vaccine has been positive and it is appearing to show immunity against the virus and they expect it to show that you can no longer pass the virus on. Hopefully next spring is brighter than this year.
I don’t know where you work in Healthcare, but it’s HIPAA, not HIPPA (Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). I used to work in healthcare and if anyone accessed another person’s record without authorization, they were punished. It’s a privacy act.
A vaccination is a big difference from having a negative test. A vaccination shows you have already received antibodies to help prevent you from getting the disease. A negative test just means you weren’t positive at the moment you took the test. Not ten minutes later.
@ DebC, Yup my bad Typo. That’s what I get for typing this up at 5 30 am lol I hear what your saying and agree. I think the negative test is not going to work because like you have stated just because you test negative does not mean the test was accurate. It could have been to early to detect the virus. However I am behind the vaccination and feel like if this will get us back to normal I am all for it. I stand by what I say. We already have Health Systems in place at every medical and mental health providing agency. It is shared amongst doctors already whether people realize that or not. My sons treatment in Boston could be seen by his Pedi in Maine. Part of what we sign at any practice is a stack of paperwork around sharing information, health systems, and HIPAA. I can absolutely see them using a system to be applied to travel and I can see them making the vaccination mandatory for anybody traveling on a plane, internationally, on a cruise, and we shall see if Disney makes it mandatory. Time will tell.
Yet one more reason I probably will not return to Disney!
Same for us…my husband works for Disney and he would retire…so would many of the older staff..it’s been talked about a lot when we all meet up.. there are illnesses a lot more nasty you get working in the parks..CV19 is one of the less nasty ones..
We will for sure walk away from Disney if they do this. This isn’t China!
Us too. Just bought points last year and im ready to sell. Not that unexpected seeing how Disney thinks but I’m gonna pass. What a shame
A digital health passport is absolutely insane! What the heck is the matter with our world and our country. We live in America….not China! These insane health requirements they are implementing now are causing enough polarization of our country. Wait til they try this! The half of our country who already disagrees with the stipulations now but begrudgingly goes along with them will in no way go along with this. Tickmaster said weeks ago they were looking into this and after the backlash they recieved they quickly backed off and said they would not be implementing it.
Oh that’s great news! I totally agree with you! This is insane nonsense that needs to be made illegal ASAP! Glad ticket matter backed off!
As a point of clarification, Ticketmaster only “backed off” to the extent they said they would not require anyone to be vaccinated. Which is technically true even if they use this system.
Tom, you’re right. They can’t “force” it. But they can remove travel options, renewing your driver’s license, buying a house… all for a one size fits all vaccine? No thanks.
If you’re all for vaccines that’s great. Your choice. Try explaining to the mother of a vaccine injured child that this will only help… Just like masks – this solution isn’t a perfect fit for everyone.
I find this Health requirement talk about getting tested before you go somewhere pointless.
As you will be exposed to people and places prior and while traveling to your destination that have had no test. So the gas stations, restaurants, restrooms and other places you will be visiting while you make your way to any place that requires it makes it null and void in my opinion.
Also my question is Disney going to require employees to be tested weekly? They will take employees temps and give guidance if they are exposed . I can not see Disney or any other business having these requirements for employees. So why for guests.
I agree! I was just going to type the same thing. Testing negative before a trip doesn’t mean you don’t have it. It can take up to two weeks to incubate. This guy tested negative before his trip. He infected 4 people on the plane he was on. https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/11/20/new-zealand-flight-covid/
I imagine this health passport would be most effective for proof of vaccination. I wouldn’t have any problem getting one. Luckily, I had a wonderful trip the first week of March 2020 and wasn’t planning another trip till 2022, so hopefully things will be worked out by then.
The minute they require a digital health passport is the minute I renew my FL Resident Platinum
AP and reserve a week in the Parks. Bring it
on!
Are you kidding me. I will never obtain a digital health passport for any reason and wil NEVER visit any business that requires it. This absurd. I do not have to give my personal health information TO ANYONE OTHER THAN MY OWN DOCTOR and will never submit to this invasion of my personal liberty. Only a complete moron would trust giving this information to the same corporations that track un on the web and keep digital files on all of us without our permission. WE NEED CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO MAKE THIS ILLEGAL
Okay, but I have to have proof of vaccination to
travel internationally, my child has to have proof of vaccination to attend school, play sports, and go to camp, and she can’t go for lifeguard training without vaccinations, so what’s the difference? And I don’t trust other people to act responsibly; I want to see proof that they have.
Why is word wrap weird?
A digital health profile sounds scary to me! Not to mention how impossible it is to obtain a COVID test if you are not showing any symptoms! I think it’s enough to sign a waiver stating that you assume all risks when entering a plane or theme park.
I’m with you Btighter, the health pass is a great idea!
Paul k Wood, you are aware that when you see a doctor or are in a hospital your medical information is entered into a computer and that many people can access your info, not just your doctor. This isn’t last year, this is 2020. Global pandemic, new rules.
You realize, right, that testing negative doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have it & can’t spread it, right? It takes 2 weeks to incubate. And unless you test right before boarding the plan or entering Disney, you can still be exposed & get it before you travel.
Yes, I do realize that. I assume the people designing this are aware of this as well and same-day tests would be fine with me. I would guess masks would still be required.
Brighter…where do you need to show health info to travel? I admit I haven’t gone anywhere exotic, but I’ve been to Mexico several times, Scotland, and many countries throughout Western Europe. Nobody required any health information…simply my valid passport. Nor has anyone required that info during extensive travel stateside.
I had to show proof of vaccination to travel to/get a visa for Colombia, Ecuador, India, and Tanzania.
Thanks for the updates! Also, Thanks for the laugh, that photo of the Guardians of the Galaxy concert from last summer made me giggle, it was so ridiculously bad!! If only we’d known that was the last time we’d be in Epcot for over a year and a half, definitely would’ve done something else!!
That photo was the most relevant one for the topic–theme parks, concerts, AND intergalactic travel! 😉
What about the governor of FL saying that he’s not forcing anyone to wear masks now? I think that came out the same day you published your article on the mask strike team. I doubt Disney will change there stance on that at this point. I also do not see the point in a health pass system for a virus that has a recovery rate of 99%. Seems like the world has gone overboard on this whole thing.
*their. â€â™€ï¸
Florida’s Governor issued that executive order at the end of September: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/florida-lifts-capacity-limits-on-theme-parks-restaurants-more/
It has no bearing on what Walt Disney World does as a private business. It does make the OC strike team a somewhat toothless endeavor, but I think businesses realize it behooves them to “play nice” with the local government for the sake of their long-term interests.
Yes, I understand they are a private business, that’s why I know they won’t change that policy anytime soon. I probably would have tried to plan a trip for this December if they had though.
Hoping the digital health pass gets implemented in the spring – this will give us additional confidence to resume our visits!
Proof of a negative tests only lasts as long as the moment you leave the testing location. And they still aren’t sure how long a vaccination will last once you get it. I’ve heard that even immunity after having the virus might only last four months.
So far, people who became ill in March still have immunity, so that is good news for long lasting immunity.
“Proof of a negative tests only lasts as long as the moment you leave the testing location.”
As with all of this, nothing is foolproof. Risk mitigation and harm reduction with a patchwork of measures is the best we’re going to get.
The latest results *seem* to indicate immunity lasting longer than four months, but there’s a lot that’s simply unknowable at this point. Hopefully there will be more clarity in the coming months.
This is what makes me the most crazy, I’ve known multiple people who tested negative immediately after a COVID contact, only to come down with symptoms a few days later. It’s just a hoop to jump through and provides an illusion of safety that unfortunately makes for a more risky situation. I think what WDW is doing now is working pretty well and I don’t envy them moving forward, but I personally don’t think the health profile is the best idea. Of course- my opinion holds no weight 😉
Right, it’s like a pregnancy test–if you take it too soon, it’s not accurate. I am sure they would have protocols in place to decrease the risk.
Having COVID in the past does not mean you’re immune from getting it again in the future. Many people already have. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/11/more-people-are-getting-covid-19-twice-suggesting-immunity-wanes-quickly-some