Disney World News: Splash Sinks, Cases Down, Masks in 2021
We’re back with another Walt Disney World news roundup! In this post, we’ll share the latest on the company’s financial woes, Splash Mountain’s sinking Sunday, Two Caballeros becoming Three once again, Orange County’s improving case numbers, and the likelihood that masks will be required at Walt Disney World until at least Spring 2021.
Let’s start with the Disney’s rough third quarter. In case you’re unaware, the Walt Disney Company will release its fiscal third quarter 2020 financial results for April through June via an audio webcast beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. We’ll be listening live and reporting the major results and you can do the same here. We’re anxiously awaiting this earnings call for guidance and perspective as to Disney’s outlook going forward.
Ahead of this, Reuters is reporting that Disney’s theme parks division is expected to take a big hit. The unit is forecast to report a $2 billion quarterly loss, compared with a $1.7 billion profit a year earlier, according to Refinitiv data. This will likely be the roughest quarter of the year–and ever–for the company, as Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris were closed the entire quarter, and there were no theatrical film releases. Hopefully, the worst is already behind Disney…
Next, Splash Mountain’s rough week. Eyes were glued on the attraction when Magic Kingdom reopened, but there was nothing newsworthy about Splash Mountain itself, just the eBay pirates stockpiling plushes for some reason. However, last week the ride has experienced extensive downtime, closing for two days in the process. Splash Mountain was drained as maintenance crews worked on something (we have no clue what) before uneventfully reopening a couple days later.
About two hours before Magic Kingdom closed yesterday, Splash Mountain once again went down. Scattered reports emerged of an evacuation, but nothing particularly noteworthy at first–attractions are evac’d from time to time. Then came word that a ride vehicle completely sunk, but without visual evidence. And on the internet, “pics or it didn’t happen.”
Well, those photos and video have emerged…
so we got out of our boat because it was sinking while we were stuck there and the disney world employee decided to tell us that we should’ve stayed in the boat but it went under as soon as we all stepped out… nice #DisneyWorld #splashmountain #MagicKingdom #disney not okay???? pic.twitter.com/15zMnP1wgX
– sky💫 (@skyelaringrsoll) August 3, 2020
As you’re no doubt aware, Disney announced that Splash Mountain is going to be reimagined as a Princess and the Frog attraction at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland (but probably not Tokyo Disneyland).
While a timeline has yet to be announced for that, our understanding is that work won’t even begin in the coming fiscal year. Given Disney’s current financial woes, most projects that have not yet commenced construction are being delayed or cancelled. Those that are proceeding are having their timeframes adjusted.
However, if issues persist with Splash Mountain, we’re wondering if the ride will just close. This is purely speculation, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility for Walt Disney World to close the current incarnation of the attraction to save operational expenses and avoid its annual winter maintenance, but not start work immediately on the replacement.
In the meantime, Splash Mountain reopened today after some downtime this morning and appears to be operating smoothly. It has had the longest lines in Magic Kingdom the last few weeks, which is likely attributable to a mix of its popularity, guests not knowing when it’ll close and wanting to get in their “last rides,” and the incredibly hot and humid weather.
It’s been a rough few weeks for Walt Disney World attractions, with the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, Carousel of Progress, and Gran Fiesta Tour each having their own issues. Speaking of which, a couple of weeks ago the Jose Carioca Audio-Animatronic in the Mexico pavilion’s Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros fell down while operating.
Jose was subsequently removed for about a week, making it the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Two Caballeros. At that point, we cynically figured he’d be gone for a while. With all of Walt Disney World’s other issues (and EPCOT in particular), it seemed like a low-priority problem with a low-priority attraction. To the maintenance team’s credit, Jose Carioca is now back and looks as good as ever!
Finally, some good news with regard to local case numbers. In looking at the Orange County dashboard and Florida Department of Health County by County numbers, key metrics have declined over the past few weeks in the county Walt Disney World calls home. Positivity rates have dropped from weekly highs of 16.8% in late June to 8.2% in the last two weeks–and are even better in the last few days. Hospitalizations are also on the decline, as are overall new cases.
To be clear, Florida’s numbers on the whole are still bad and the state remains a global epicenter. However, there are early signs that Florida as a whole might be turning the corner. The state has reported fewer than 10,000 daily positive cases for over the last week and the statewide positivity rate has been under 15% for over two weeks. This follows several record-high daily reports in mid-July, including a United States-record 15,300 new cases the day after Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom reopened.
The unfortunate timing of that record with the reopening of Walt Disney World resulted in a barrage of unflattering headlines and photos of Cinderella Castle being paired with coverage of Florida’s hotspot status. Given the incubation period, Disney’s reopening obviously did not cause the spike, but that didn’t matter. It was bad optics regardless of the logic.
It’s unlikely we’ll see headlines now attributing Florida’s turnaround to Disney, which is fine because it’d also be illogical. We’re still in the early innings of this–while a brief pause for optimism is in order, declaring victory is not. Virtually every locality, state, country, etc. that has proclaimed itself a “success story” has been bitten in the rear shortly thereafter by the premature victory lap.
We’re hopeful that Walt Disney World’s approach ends up being vindicated when this crisis is viewed in retrospect, but it’s way too early to say. Thanks to their strictly-enforced rules and safety measures, local theme parks do deserve some credit for offering less risky ways for Floridians to socialize as compared to bars, house parties, indoor alligator wrestling tournaments, and so forth.
Ultimately, it’s Orange County leadership that deserves praise for the progress. On June 20, Mayor Jerry Demings issued a mask order requiring face coverings in all public places, and cases thereafter slowly began declining. Orange County public leaders and health officials like Dr. Raul Pino have also been highly effective at communicating and reinforcing a consistent message regarding safety measures and risk avoidance.
To that point, Dr. Raul Pino indicated in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel that locals should be prepared to wear masks and adhere to other restrictions for at least the rest of the year, maybe through Spring 2021, or “until we have a vaccine.”
Pino has repeatedly credited Orange County’s face-covering requirements with helping to contain a spike in infections that followed Memorial Day, attributing the drop in positivity and hospitalizations with the area being ahead of the curve on a mask order. Pino believes that increased compliance with the mask mandate has “slowly but surely” brought Orange County’s numbers down.
This should not come as a huge surprise, but is worth sharing. Many readers have indicated that they’re hoping Walt Disney World will lift the mask rule by this holiday season or early next year, but such an accelerated timeline is increasingly unlikely. Even with promising developments on the vaccine front, that probably will not be produced and widely distributed by Spring 2021. If you’re waiting for no masks before planning your next Walt Disney World trip, you might want to target Fall 2021.
Given that masks have proven highly effective for both Orange County and Walt Disney World, it seems highly unlikely that either or both would arbitrarily drop the requirement. That’s both good and bad news. On the plus side, the current approach is yielding good results that will hopefully continue (and improve!). On the downside, that means masks, physical distancing, and other safety requirements are likely to persist for at least the next six months. Some of that has been and will be unpleasant, but once we make it past September, the worst should be behind us. Wearing a mask during the winter months should be nothing as compared to the last few brutal summer weeks.
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
What do you think of this Walt Disney World news roundup? Optimistic about Florida’s and Orange County’s improvements? Worried about Disney’s financial future? Concerned you won’t have a chance to ride Splash Mountain again before its closure? Do you agree or disagree with our thoughts and 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!
Please stop with the anti-vax and anti-mask posts. Pseudoscience, conspiracy theories and cherry-picked statistics are less than worthless, they are actively harmful, particularly to those who adhere to actual science yet are put at risk by those who do not.
Thank you.
Absolutely LOVE your white and green Nikes!
Thanks for the update. We’re booked for May 2021 from the UK but will have to rethink if we still have to wear masks and restrictions are in place. It simply isn’t worth the money for us to have so many things removed or restrictions in place. Can you tell me if Disney are accepting medical excemption for mask wearing? In the UK my daughter and I are exempt but I can’t see anything that confirms this for Disney
“…until we have a vaccine.”
Bingo!
Follow the money folks.
And please for the love of all things good, don’t line up to take a new vaccine.
Critical thinking skills are important, please dig in & do some research friends!
We share a name and the same thoughts. Good to see some common sense left in these comments.
In the name of Jonas Salk, please stop with the conspiracy mongering over vaccines. I trust experts like Dr. Fauci to give it to us straight on the safety of a new vaccine.
Yup I believe in science so I will be first in line for a safe and effective vaccine. Hope most will do the same for public health and the economy. Great pic of masked Tom with camera in hand
Thanks Tom for all your great posts. Even though we are not going this year, I love hearing about all things Disney. I Dream of the day we can get back. I can’t wait! Coming from Ohio, it might be awhile.
As for mask, we did order the Disney masks. They are 2 layer. We wear our masks everywhere. We have quite a few different ones. If it’s what we have to do to stay safe , then we will do it.
Keep those great Pics coming!!
Do you expect crowd numbers to increase significantly once the mask rule is lifted? We are currently booked for next May which was rescheduled from this may. we’ve always enjoyed fall trips but recently started going at different times since fall was the new peak season. Do you think next fall will be just as busy as previous falls?
Masks have nothing to do with the slowing cases in Orange County. Most of the cases have been spread AT HOME not in public. Masks have have some effectiveness under some circumstances (they reduce viral load but they don’t stop infection) but most transmission is occurring when people are in close proximity for at least 15 minutes. The whole mask thing is theater and it’s killing Disney’s business.
I do not want to make a political post.
Please, please, stop politicizing masks. That is the reason we are in this predicament. All you have to do is look at other countries like China and Italy that were decimated by this virus. Look how they bounced back. It is only a mask, a piece of paper or cloth. It’s not handcuffs or a ball & chain. It is an inconvenience, not a health risk or attempt to strip away your rights.
Masks are not the be all end all, but they do help slow transmission along with social distancing and a conscious effort in regards to hygiene(washing hands, not touching face). They are our only defense right now until we have a vaccine or a treatment that we KNOW will prevent deaths. Please act like an adult and do your part and set an example for children.
I have noticed that there is hardly any availability for club level this winter season. Just a month ago there was plenty of club level availability this fall/winter. Just not sure why it’s suddenly not available to book. But, I have noticed availability beginning January 1, 2021, & Throughout the next year of 2021. what do you think they will do if I have a club level stay in November 2020, relocate me? Or offer me a regular room?
I hope we can go next end of summer without a mask â€â™€ï¸
Supplement to previous post
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8583925/amp/The-land-no-face-masks-Hollands-scientists-say-theres-no-solid-evidence-coverings-work.html
sanity at last.
The government of the Netherlands is not requiring masks. “Because from a medical perspective there is no proven effectiveness of masks, the Cabinet has decided that there will be no national obligation for wearing non-medical masks” Van Ark said.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-netherlands-idUSKCN24U2UJ
You’re seeing the same thing from other Scandinavian countries. Both Japan and South Korea are seeing new spikes. (Let me know if you need charts. I have them.)
My question is: Why are Holland and Sweden wrong?
Even voluntary mask compliance is relatively low among Scandinavian countries. Personally, I cannot explain it. From experience in those countries, my anecdotal observation would be that even in larger cities, people spend a lot of time outdoors where transmission rates are lower. Regardless, it’s tough to reconcile Scandinavia’s results with the rest of the world but I haven’t followed them that closely.
As for the “spikes” in Japan and South Korea, the former is still seeing under 1,000 new cases per day and the latter has had under 100 new cases per day. Relative to past numbers, Japan has seen an increase but South Korea has not. Japan is still significantly lower than Florida alone, and is considerably more population-dense.
Hi Brian M, have you checked these numbers? Sweden – 569 deaths per million inhabitants; The Netherlands – 359; Denmark – 106; Finland – 60; Norway – 47; Iceland – 29. Here lies the difference, I suppose. Also, in The Netherlands masks are mandatory in public transport since June 1st, due to the proximity among riders. And Sweden was somewhat ostracized by the other Scandinavian countries because of their response (or lack thereof) during the pandemic. Best regards.
Thanks for sharing that additional data, Matheus.
Matheus – NY State has >1,650 deaths per million with a mask requirement. NJ is >1,780 per million. (I used Statista’s per 100K rate x 10.) Data through yesterday.
Both of those states are multiple times higher than Scandinavia. They’re also both more than 5x higher than Florida. (I probably don’t need to point out that Florida’s got a significantly higher percentage of its population among the most vulnerable. They don’t refer to us a “God’s waiting room” for the heck of it.)
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1109011/coronavirus-covid19-death-rates-us-by-state/
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t wear masks. We’re going to WDW in October and are planning to wear them. Where we live, you’re required to wear a facial covering at all times – even in your own home. (Really. All – The – Time.) They’re not enforcing the in-home part, and they’re going out of they’re way not to publicize it, but it’s in the emergency order.
https://www.broward.org/CoronaVirus/Documents/EmergencyOrder20-22.pdf
Relevant section is on page 5:
Section 4. Responsibility to Ensure Compliance with Applicable Orders. A.Residential Property Residents. All persons who reside on any residential property, whether single family or multi-family, and irrespective of whether they own or rent the property, must ensure that all persons on the residential property, including guests, comply with all applicable guidelines of any Broward County Emergency Order, including the facial covering requirements. Residents who fail to ensure compliance with all applicable Broward County Emergency Orders by such persons shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Section 8-56 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances, with each person present and in violation of an applicable Emergency Order constituting a separate violation.
Hi, Brian. Thank you for your answer. Yes, apparently the virus entered the US via NY/NJ (busy airports, lots of overseas flights, etc.), during late winter/early spring, when people stay a lot of time indoors and many live in cramped spaces. Also, it took a while for NY to act. I’m writing from Brazil, where we are living what you guys lived 1 or 2 months ago – spike in cases and a stable high number of deaths almost every day. In the State where I live (in the southernmost part of Brazil), we had something close to a lockdown in mid-March and we got good numbers from the start, being the reference for prevention in Brazil for a while. Now, with almost everything open, we are where Florida is right now – one of the hotbeds in Brazil.
They’re not wrong. Masks aren’t reducing transmission. They do, however, reduce viral load which results in less severe cases. Florida is considered a hot spot because it’s the only place on the planet testing so many people. The other counties have drastically reduced testing which means they don’t include minor cases that we do. What Japan and South Korea have is that family remains together (not as many nursing homes) , less severe comorbidities, and a more sanitary lifestyle.
Masks are mostly theater although as I said they do reduce viral load which seems to reduce the severity of the disease.
Brian M, those NY and NJ stats are a moot point because MANY of the deaths and cases were a direct result of the earliest cases in the USA and it had spread for a while before the first case was detected on the east coast and before we had ANY idea how to treat it or how it spreads..
Also, NJ as a state, and NYC are the most densely populated state and city in the USA.
Anyone can find anything online supporting their views. Look no further than the focus of this website. Disney has been crapped on for opening despite the fact that attendance is below even the caps set, and stringent safety measures are in place and upheld. News outlets don’t readily provide that tidbit. We know because we read things like this site. Same goes for other reporting. Bottom line, again, anyone can find anything that supports what they want to believe, regardless of facts and evidence. Certainly, type of mask, proper fit, length of exposure, etc etc are all factors. However, for the vast majority of the public it’s best to keep things simple. Thus, wear a mask, distance, and clean hands are what we hear because it’s easy to understand and do. Every step we take does help, and it all adds up. Scandinavian countries have far fewer people per foot, as well as a much higher percentage of single person households. There are parts of the US that have similar demographics. If taken piecemeal, then one could compare. However, it is not accurate to compare to densely populated cities and even suburbs. Also, many of the upticks even in Asian cities are for the same reason as here…young adults at bars and nightclubs without masks.
No cloth masks really offer protection. They just make people “feel” better. They are strictly forbidden in my hospital.
“No cloth masks really offer protection.”
This is not true. It is true that most cloth masks offer minimal protection to the wearer, which is precisely why they wouldn’t be worn in a hospital setting, which would instead use N95 and/or surgical masks. Obviously, hospitals and normal community settings present different risk-scenarios and needs.
However, cloth masks offer mutually beneficial protection for the wearer and those with whom they come in contact in everyday, non-medical settings. (Hence the line “my mask protects you, yours protects me.”) This is because masks reduce droplet transmission and the distance of exhaled aerosolized particles by the wearer, which in turn reduces spread.
Here’s a better explanation and visualization: https://news.wisc.edu/coughing-visualization-illustrates-the-benefits-of-wearing-a-good-mask/
Here’s another: https://www.livescience.com/face-mask-visualization-droplets-covid-19.html
For this in practice in the real world, see any country in Asia.
You’re not factoring in reduction of filtration caused by condensation as a result of breathing. I also can’t drive 10 feet without seeing someone’s mask dangling from their rear view mirror. UV radiation has a detrimental effect on efficacy. I am glad to see that research shows that it is very difficult to infect yourself (with covid, not other microbes) by touching your face or surfaces given the general public does not properly don & doff their masks. That is when they are wearing them correctly in the first place.
Cloth masks are less effective than surgical masks, but much more effective than no mask. Surgical masks are strictly required in hospitals for everyone (at least in Massachusetts, I don’t know for other states), which is why they ban cloth masks.
Might you be being a tad pessimistic about a vaccine? The Times (UK) reported that, if the Oxford vaccine goes according to plan (big if I know), the US is set to have 300m doses by the end of 2020, which should be enough for over half the population (as I think you need two doses). With that in mind, I’d have thought we could at least hope for the end of masks by February 2021, assuming the doses keep coming.
“Might you be being a tad pessimistic about a vaccine?”
I hope I am!
I guess my general position is ‘cautious optimism’ about emerging trends while maybe erring on the side of pessimism for things that have not yet come to fruition? I’ve repeatedly been burned by optimism over the last few months, and I don’t want to make that same ‘mistake’ with the vaccine. Everything is definitely looking promising on that front, though. I hope you’re right about February 2021!
I’m with Tom, at this point I would rather take a more pessimistic view on a vaccine timeline and be pleasantly surprised if things go better than that. Like most of the country I initially thought we were looking at a couple months of this max, and here we are 5 months later with no real end in sight.
Also, even if we do get a vaccine more quickly than spring 2021, we don’t know how effective it will be or how many people will get it. I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade but I also would rather be prepared for a worst case scenario than face more disappointment.
I agree at this point it is very much looking like Spring 2021. Everything about the vaccine coming down the line continues to look very positive and it sounds like they are already buying millions of doses, so if things continue to go well (fingers crossed) I think we could have a vaccine available to the general public by April/May of 2021. I wonder how quickly though Disney World will flip the switch once the restrictions are not needed? Will it be an overnight thing (figuratively not literally) once restrictions are lifted that they get rid of the 6 foot rule, barriers/plexi glass, masks, etc.? I cant see Disney wanting these restrictions to linger once they get the all clear from the CDC and other health/government officials that it is not needed.
“I wonder how quickly though Disney World will flip the switch once the restrictions are not needed? Will it be an overnight thing (figuratively not literally) once restrictions are lifted that they get rid of the 6 foot rule, barriers/plexi glass, masks, etc.? I cant see Disney wanting these restrictions to linger once they get the all clear from the CDC and other health/government officials that it is not needed.”
I think Disney removes everything the minute they get the green light from the CDC and health experts. That may not all be at once, but Disney isn’t keeping any measure a day longer than necessary. This isn’t like bag check that’s still around two decades after 9/11. The current rules are costing Disney business and negatively impacting the bottom line.
Even guests who are fine wearing masks (or even prefer it right now) don’t actually enjoy wearing masks. The ‘skeptics’ who think this is the beginning of a new normal are absolutely insane–this is all going away as soon as possible. No one likes it, and it’s all bad for business.
Thanks for the reply Tom! Really enjoy reading your updates and perspectives.
Tom,
Can you give any insight into sizing for the Suay masks? I am looking for the most comfortable masks for WDW. I wear a mask indoors all day for work, but with the air conditioning, I have been fine in a cloth mask. I have been reading your blog for years and always appreciate your thoughtful posts and responses to comments, and of course, the beautiful photography. Thank you
Another question: I am a DVC member and have also noticed the increased availability for this fall. Also, I have noticed the AKL Club Level rooms showing as unavailable, but I am assuming this is because Club Level is not available and not due to being completely booked. Any insight into how they are moving those guests, refunding points, etc? This change does not affect me as I had not booked AKL Club Level, but I am an owner at AKL, so I have been curious, especially if availability starting showing up for Club Level. I do not expect you to have insider information, but I thought you may have overheard something or had considered an AKL Club Level resort stay for yourself.
Disney Tourist Blog: Come for the news, stay for the duck pics!
Works for me.
Seriously, appreciate your news updates and pray the two of you stay healthy. (Know you’re doing the best you can to follow the best safety guidelines. On the plus side, my boss recently finished over 2 months managing a Covid outbreak in our state prison and didn’t catch the virus. So the guidelines are pretty effective.)
I’m pessimistic that we are even getting the accurate data regarding Florida’s numbers. I truly hope we are, because it’s positive news, but I’m skeptical.
There have been stories going in both directions about why we should be distrustful of Florida’s data, but after digging a bit deeper, I don’t give those a ton of weight. In my view, if the state were to downplay numbers, we would’ve never had that 15k day.
In general, Florida has great state-wide dashboards and Orange County in particular also has great reporting. Plus, the Covid Tracking Project gives Florida an A grade for data reporting: https://covidtracking.com/data/state/florida
The last few days are probably underestimates because testing was suspended for the storm.
I work in a large teaching hospital here in Florida. We are not overwhelmed with Covid patients. None of my family, or friends who have had it, needed to be hospitalized. I personally have worked with some of these patients and have remained negative, despite wearing the same N95 masks I’ve had since May (I do change out the surgical masks frequently since they are only good for 40 min max). All of this is anecdotal of course, but I hope that it is at least reassuring.
While there are changes in what data gets reported, the *trends* should be accurate, no matter what subset of data is being reported.
For instance, Miami-Dade County recently changed how it reports positive results, but after the change it will go up or down the same as it would otherwise.
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/miami-dade-changing-how-it-reports-covid-19-data/2265601/
Funny Americans holding out for a vaccine. Do what the UK, Asia, Australia and even Canada did. Listened to the health professionals, supported by every level of government. Did what needed to be done. No whining, no BS. They are in great shape, continue to do what is needed, all the while hoping for a vaccine. Life in those countries continues while ours plunders deeper. You want Disney without masks? Start planning for 2022 into 2023.
Crediting masks is a stretch given no where else in the world is it mattering and central Florida had some of the worst testing metrics due mostly to bad tests and over testing but politicians will claim any victory that vindicates their decisions. They’ll be one less family there Dec 5-12 is this mask fiasco is still up and running.
“Crediting masks is a stretch given no where else in the world is it mattering”
Which countries are having success in reducing transmission without using masks?
In NYC mask wearing has made us go from epicenter to 1.02 % positivity rate. Not sure what the above comment means??!
Which countries are having success in reducing transmission without using masks?
Tom, in Sweden the government refused a lock down and do not require masks. At present they are reporting extremely low numbers of cases, deaths, and hospitalizations. IMO the focus for all of us should be on the latter two. At least so far they have not experienced a resurgence or a second wave as have countries that have enforced more stringent measures. Time will tell whether their attempt to create herd immunity is more successful than other countries using more stringent measures.
@Papa L – Fair point with regard to Sweden. I’ve been reading about their results over the course of this, although it’s been somewhat difficult as both “sides” have at different points pounced on Sweden’s good or bad results to vindicate their views. The last couple of weeks definitely show a lot of promise there–no denying that. Hopefully that trend continues, they don’t see another spike, and the rest of the world can learn something from Sweden’s experience.
Very confused about this as well. I’ve been in NYC this whole time and there is a direct correlation between the highs in March/April to late April when masks became ubiquitous and went from some people wearing them to 95% of people wearing them. I hate wearing them as much as anyone, and look forward to a mask-free visit to Disney World sometime in 2021, but they obviously do work.
Let’s not forget to compare Sweden numbers with the other Nordic countries, they were the worst by far by any metric. Also, around half of the Swedes live in a 1 person household and they were pretty serious about social distancing. Nonetheless, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland managed COVID way better than Sweden.
Totally agree with G! Politicians cannot be trusted! They are ruining our country. So sad.
I’ve rode Splash twice since the park re-opened and both times it felt bumpier in a few areas to me for some reason. I wasn’t sure if it was due to less water in certain areas or maybe just my imagination. (Or maybe because of less weight in the logs due to less people?)
BTW, thanks for the recommendation on the Suay masks! I got mine and wore it yesterday at Magic Kingdom. It makes a difference in the Florida heat as opposed to some other ones I’ve worn.
That’s interesting–how recent were your rides? I’ve only done Splash twice (and it was smooth–or at least smooth enough that I didn’t notice anything), but both times were a few weeks ago.
You’re welcome with regard to the masks–glad it worked well!
Time to say good by to Disney too many changes hard to justify paying that much money to go there. Unfortunately since it has been decided not to follow the science anymore we will never see the true facts or numbers. We will be just like the robotic figures at Disney being manipulated by the ones in power. So sad but so true.
Let me start by saying, I miss being able to travel and visit Disney (been to most parks in world), but everyones health is the number 1 priority right now so that we can get through this as a global community and return to the freedoms we had only a a few short months ago.I read with interest on the issue of cases etc and wonder aloud. Here in Victoria Australia we are entering a stage 4 lock down tomorrow as well as 8pm-5am curfews and we are seeing “only” 400-500 cases per day with a national total of less than 18,000 cases, deaths around 210 and population of around 25million. To put this into perspective the US is roughly 10 times larger in population so to extrapolate those numbers 180,000 cases and 2100 deaths is a long way short of the unfortunate numbers you guys are seeing in the US. Please dont undersell the seriousness that your guys are still seeing. Despite what your president is saying you are still in a really bad place with COVID.
Be safe all and we can hopefully get through this.
“Please dont undersell the seriousness that your guys are still seeing.”
That’s definitely not our intent, and I think I’ve reiterated that even though there are early signs of optimism, things are still bad overall. There’s no denying that the United States has handled this poorly, and Florida has been hit particularly hard.
The problem, at least as I see it, is that another successful lockdown is not viable here due to Americans’ sense of freedom and autonomy. March to May was our chance to ‘get that right’ and build test/trace infrastructure, establish consistent messaging, etc. At this point, that ship has sailed–Americans’ tolerance for a lockdown has been largely exhausted. Even in states where reopening has been rolled back, spread is occurring at large house parties and even family gatherings. There’s no way to police all of that.
At this point, I think risk mitigation and harm reduction models are the best paths forward–educate people, try to reduce the highest risk scenarios, and present them with safer alternatives.
Its difficult to convey compassion in words and I appreciate your reply. We thought we’d had it basically beat here in Aus and were on track for elimination (much like NZ), however bad choices for quarantine hotels and some movements allowances means we are in worse situation than we were only weeks ago – we’d gotten down to under 400 or so active cases for the whole country, that changed rapidly, 5, became 20, became 50 and so on.
You raise an interesting point in regards to freedom and unfortunate timing of other social issues dont help that either, people look to commentators such as yourself for guidance and I commend you on mask wearing and advice there on. Those on the front line I am sure would relise the lowering of numbers. I hope to cross paths with you and Sarah one day during one of our hoped future disney adventures somewhere in the world, be safe everyone and look after your selves
We get the seriousness and you are exactly right our health is the number 1 priority that being said they are not telling the whole story they are only telling us the part to make us fear and follow their commands! Power can be a very dangerous thing and they have that now. I am able to see the actual stats if everyone were able to see the # of truly positive cases, the number of hospitalized, the # of recovered cases and the # of deaths related directly to covid 19 we would most likely be in a whole different place with all of this! Sorry but there is way more to all of this then just wearing masks!
Hi Tom & Sarah
Any idea how Disney is enforcing the 2-layer mask rule??
Thanks and keep up the great work 🙂
I haven’t seen any guests stopped regarding this. I’ve seen guests with gaiters and air valves stopped while still in the parking lot a few times, but never over the number of layers. I’m guessing it’s too difficult for Cast Members to ascertain that from a distance?
I didn’t realize gaiters were outlawed now…SO RIDICULOUS.
Upon reading this I went to shopDisney to look at their masks and look what I see as a disclaimer!
“This Disney cloth face mask is not a surgical face mask which provides liquid barrier protection. This cloth face mask should not be used (1) in a clinical setting where the infection risk level through inhalation exposure is high; (2) for antimicrobial or antiviral protection or related uses or uses for infection prevention or reduction or related uses; (3) as a respiratory protective device, or (4) for high risk aerosol-generating procedures. Disney makes no warranties, either express or implied, that the face mask prevents infection or the transmission of viruses or diseases.”
Bravo, Disney.