What Operational & Health Safety Changes Will Disney World Make to Reopen?
“How will Walt Disney World conduct health security screenings to ensure guest safety?” and “What operational changes will Disney institute when the parks reopen?” are common questions. Many readers are wondering whether all of the parks & rides will reopen at the same time, what measures Disney will take to reassure worried guests, and more.
This is an ongoing speculative series, coming in response to feedback and concerns raised in the comments to other posts. To recap, here are questions what we’ve previously addressed:
- When Will Walt Disney World Reopen?
- Will Walt Disney World Offer Huge Discounts Once It Opens?
- How Bad Will Crowds Be at Walt Disney World After Reopening?
In this post, we’ll share Bob Iger’s recent statements about procedures Walt Disney World and Disneyland will likely utilize to adapt for the current/future climate. We’ll also cover the rumors about operational changes to the parks, including phased openings, virtual queues, reduced capacity, entertainment cuts, and more…
Some degree of changes are unquestionably coming to Walt Disney World. We will dismiss out of hand the notion that the theme parks won’t reopen until there’s a vaccine, which is potentially 18 months or more away. No matter where you fall in debates about public health versus economics, society shutting down for up to 2 years is simply a non-starter. Due to our inextricably interwoven economy, it’s not feasible to simply shutter “non-essential” businesses for a period of years. The consequences would be truly catastrophic.
It’s more a matter of when this year the parks resume operations, and what changes. We originally intended upon waiting until closer to reopening before tackling the latter topic. For one, the operational and safety changes that Walt Disney World implements largely depend upon how factors. What’s the national mood? What level of crowds are projected? What is the expert consensus on prophylactic measures to minimize continued spread?
However, former (and future?) CEO and current executive chairman Bob Iger just did an interesting interview with Barron’s. In that, he covered a range of challenges that face Disney going forward, and how the company might adapt and change in the current climate.
Of pertinent interest here is the theme parks. Here’s what Iger had to say:
“One of the things that we’re discussing already is that in order to return to some semblance of normal, people will have to feel comfortable that they’re safe. Some of that could come in the form ultimately of a vaccine, but in the absence of that it could come from basically, more scrutiny, more restrictions. Just as we now do bag checks for everybody that goes into our parks, it could be that at some point we add a component of that that takes people’s temperatures, as a for-instance.
We’re studying very carefully what China has been trying to do in terms of their return to normalcy. And one of the things that’s obvious is they’ve conscripted a large segment of their population to monitor others in terms of their health. You can’t get on a bus or a subway or a train or enter a high-rise building there–and I’m sure this will be the case when their schools reopen–without having your temperature taken.
So we’ve asked ourselves the question, let’s prepare for a world where our customers demand that we scrutinize everybody. Even if it creates a little bit of hardship, like it takes a little bit longer for people to get in. Just as the case after 9/11 where people ultimately lived with the notion that in order for them to enter a building, if you’re in an office building you have to show a picture ID or get your picture taken and be screened. Or in order to enter a park you have to put your bags out there to be checked and you go through some kind of metal detector. Or certainly what’s going on in airports with the TSA.”
Iger’s ideas aren’t particularly surprising. Look no further than what has been implemented at Shanghai Disneyland thus far, as it has already reopened its flagship hotel plus the Disneytown shopping and entertainment complex.
At Shanghai Disney Resort, every guest undergoes a body temperature screening upon their arrival, is required to present their Health QR Code when entering some venues, and must wear a face mask at all times.
In China, citizens are required to download cellphone tracking software that broadcasts their location to several authorities, including the local police. The app combines geo-tracking with other data to designate people with green to red color codes reflecting who is low to high risk.
Additionally, roadblocks and checkpoints have been set up throughout the country to prevent people from moving freely. Some workers are required to undergo physical examinations and a paper “Health Certificate” from their local authorities before returning to work. Health safety perimeters similar to those utilized at Shanghai Disney Resort exist around virtually every business, meaning the potential for dozens of temperature checks per day.
As a democratic republic, South Korea has had similar success in using technology to decrease cases. There, the government uses phone location data, CCTV, credit-card records, and more to monitor citizen activity. When a person tests positive, local governments issue a push alert that reportedly includes the individual’s last name, sex, age, district of residence, and minute-to-minute record of their movements at local businesses.
Singapore offers what seems to be a less intrusive iteration of these approaches. There, residents can download the TraceTogether app, which uses Bluetooth to log nearby devices. If someone tests positive, that user uploads relevant data to the Ministry of Health, which notifies the owners of all the devices pinged by that person’s phone.
Normally, I would caution against looking towards these countries for policies the United States will implement. Societal norms are very different, as are standards of privacy, liberty, as well as the balance between the collective and individual. One month ago, such blatant government smartphone surveillance and systemic swabbing & temperature testing might’ve seemed like an unfathomable violation of our dignity and privacy.
However, a couple of months ago I would’ve questioned whether the United States would embrace the same style of lockdowns as were occurring throughout Asia at the time (and to be fair, we haven’t fully). Much more has happened on that front than I would’ve anticipated–I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised by the sacrifices Americans are making for public health.
In August 2001, I likewise wouldn’t have predicted what surveillance techniques would be deployed and widely accepted (I was a teenager, so I probably would’ve only predicted what video game I’d play next). That summer, many of the programs in wide use to this day likely would’ve been dubbed “draconian” by a vast majority of Americans.
However, the September 11 attacks offered a change in perspective. The United States government swiftly and unilaterally expanded its powers, broadening warrantless surveillance by the National Security Agency while also establishing several agencies and programs that are still in use today.
The point is that changed circumstances can cause societal norms to evolve, and dictate what we tolerate. Much of what happened post 9/11 was to allow a return to some semblance of normalcy. The operative difference between then and now is that there’s no reason for this to be permanent–a vaccine should bring an end to whatever surveillance is instituted.
One thing that sticks out to me from Iger’s interview is the remark that “people will have to feel comfortable that they’re safe” before things return to normal. Iger is incredibly careful with his words (one reason he’s probably doing interviews instead of Chapek), and his use of feel is not by accident.
Whatever policies and operational changes Walt Disney World and Disneyland implement will likely be about assuaging minds and creating the perception of safety. Temperature checks are not wholly effective–they’re about mitigation, not blanket safety. As with the pejorative “security theater,” expect “health security theater” to be a term that enters our cultural vernacular.
Like Walt Disney World’s current security checks, the health security procedures and requirements will be a balance of mitigation and theater. This isn’t to cast aspersions–psychological reassurance and comfort can be every bit as important as actual safety. This will likely be even more true after emerging with the scars from months of staying at home and consuming non-stop media about one singular topic.
Screening measures won’t be fully effective, but will follow the mantra: don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. The inherent nature of theme parks means Walt Disney World or Disneyland won’t be completely safe upon reopening. Like most things, there will be some assumption of the risk.
When the parks do open, our expectation is that Walt Disney World and Disneyland will utilize measures similar to those at Shanghai Disney Resort for health security screening. We’d anticipate that Big Tech and the business community will drive this rather than the federal government. Whatever emerges will likely be a “softer” and more relaxed version of what has been deployed in Asia to be palatable to Western sensibilities.
Hopefully, these tools are already being developed and the necessary equipment is being manufactured to deploy such a system within a couple of months.
As for what Walt Disney World and Disneyland will change from an operational perspective beyond the health security screenings largely remains to be seen. A lot of rumors have already emerged, and we view those with some skepticism. Not because we doubt the veracity of the rumor itself, but because it’s premature.
What’s being discussed as theoretical possibilities in Orlando or Anaheim offices months before the parks reopen might bear little resemblance to what comes to fruition. For one thing, there are still many unknowns. For another, business and operational realities will bump up against some of these proposals.
Of the rumors we’ve heard, there are several that are highly plausible. Dining will need to see a variety of changes. One will be reducing restaurant capacity and taking tables “out of service” to maintain <50% occupancy with physical spacing of at least 6 feet. Next, increasing spacing for physical queues at counter service restaurants and strongly encouraging mobile order.
The final big one is entertainment–cancelling virtually all of it. Fireworks, parades, and stage shows result in disproportionate congregating in certain areas (we’ve been bemoaning Central Plaza crowds during the Halloween and Christmas parties for years). Eliminating entertainment also saves Disney money, and a cut done under the guise of safety seems right up Disney’s alley.
Another is reducing capacity on transportation and rides, as well as disinfecting surfaces guests touch between rides on both. Attractions where this is not feasible or practical could simply not open with the rest of the parks, going on ‘seasonal’ status for the next couple of years.
Using more virtual queues is another possibility, which has gained credence among fans due to app changes to support boarding groups for more than just Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. However, virtual queues have the unintended consequence of displacing guests into other areas of the parks, creating the potential for denser crowds elsewhere.
One theory is that there will be a phased reopening of Walt Disney World. While we’ve referred to both Disneyland and WDW here, this is one (of several) areas where they diverge. It’ll be much easier for Disneyland to resume most operations simultaneously. The smaller and leaner nature of the resort complex, coupled with the more local audience ensures that.
As for Walt Disney World, this could theoretically mean Disney Springs reopening first. That could be followed by Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and some resorts. Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and other resorts could be the last pieces of the puzzle in such a scenario.
This is one of those things that seems highly plausible even if it’s not actually a credible rumor. For one, Walt Disney World is such a complex resort with so many moving parts, and it’s going to be much slower to restart than it was to close. Epcot in particular seems like a logical choice for a delayed opening, for a number of reasons.
However, almost all of these logical moves have an illogical unintended consequence. Reducing capacity in any way increases crowds at what is operational. Some parks or portions thereof not operating disincentivizes guests from booking vacations at a time when Walt Disney World will need a shot in the arm. Eliminating iconic entertainment does the same.
Ultimately, Walt Disney World will also need to communicate operational changes that will negatively impact the guest experience well before the parks reopen. While reasonable guests should anticipate an array of changes and intrusion, people who booked trips aren’t going to be pleased if they don’t find out until arrival that only half of the parks are open and only three-quarters of those attractions are operating. We’d thus expect a trickle of information about how the guest experience will change going forward to adjust expectations. We’ll keep you posted on what other modifications are planned as they’re announced!
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
Do you think Walt Disney World will do in terms of health security screenings when the parks reopen? Are you anticipating modified operations–including the elimination of entertainment and reduced ride capacity? Do you expect a phased opening of the parks & resorts? Will you immediately book a trip, or wait until everything is back up and running, and things have returned to normal? 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!
If Disney does not re-open with the full guest experience, including wait times, that existed prior to the flu shutdown, people will stay away, and it’s will be only a matter of time until all Disney parks, DVC, etc go bankrupt and close permanently.
Frankly, I don’t feel temperature screenings will work. Anyone can take medicine to lower their temperature and get rid of a fever. They can continue to take medicine throughout the day. I can bring my own thermometer and check myself and others and make sure I’m okay to enter a park; even though, I may not be well. Many with low grade fevers feel it’s okay to do whatever.
Without the full experience especially the entertainment I think I would be more sad than happy going to WDW. Also, constantly watching others to keep their distance from me would be painful for me all day long. No matter what is instituted it sounds like it will be harder and/or more time consuming to do rides. Meal reservations will be harder to get, too if they are instituting space distancing.
Even after all the precautions there is still the unknown on how well any of this will really work. We will wait for a vaccine and see if WDW will become more of the park we remember. Then, we may consider going back. We are older and more comprised; so, we definitely need to be more careful. Even if I was younger and stronger I wouldn’t want to take the chance for my family.
I can’t imagine WDW opening to guests with limited functions. Why would anyone who has booked a vacation for thousands of dollars want to go to a park that is only partially open with only a handful of rides functioning? Some of the points you brought up on the surface seem impossible to control. Sure you can limit the number of people in the park but most people tend to eat at certain times, so eateries could become completely jammed due to limited space. How they will limit numbers is also daunting. What if too many people have pre-booked vacations for the opening? Do they tell them they can’t come? Do they stop paying customers from entering the park when a certain number is reached? Just from layman’s observations, it would seem the parks have to open with health requirements fully or not at all in order to accommodate customers.
Disney, I don’t think, can legally track anyone by requiring tracking software be placed on ones private property against their will. To the best of my knowledge, it’s a constitutional violation.
Don’t they already track you thru your magic band?
Whatever is done is going to be more of a feel-good public panacea than an effective way to insure that the virus won’t be present in the parks. There is no real answer except in herd immunity. Everyone talking about a vaccine seems to forget that we have had a flu vaccine for years and still lose between 20 and ninety thousand people a year to it. Where is all of the concern over this? Anyone notice that the latest revised Coronavirus mortality projections are down to something like 60 to 80 thousand? In other words, about that of a flu season? I’m not willing to become part of a group control experiment so that people can have a false sense of security while being charged ever increasing prices for the privilege of trying to have fun. This will have pushed what has become the new normal at Disney too far for me.
Any revised, lower Covid19 death projections are the result of shutting down the entire economy for 2 months. Flu season runs 6 months so hospitals systems can handle it and the rest of us can get vaccinated or take Tamiflu.
I think Disney will have to deeply discount prices and limit number of guests within the parks. Hazard pay for park operators and characters.
Except to achieve the death total of around 100K (assuming that is actually what happens, and recognizing that many current covid deaths are not being recorded in the absence of a confirmed test) we have to shut people in their homes for weeks. The death count would be millions otherwise–not comparable to flu at all.
Sorry, replied to the wrong comment!
Total speculation. No fact-based comprehensive testing or reliable baseline infected / recovered figures yet exist to substantiate that claim. And there will be none unless everyone is required to undergo serology tests. What flavor Kool Aid did you say you are drinking?
On the flip side, there are deaths being recorded as Covid-19 that are not , thus inflating the numbers.
The vast majority of flu deaths are people who have not been vaccinated.
I completely agree with you. The morbidity numbers are not accurate. We already know that the vast majority of deaths come from patients with preexisting conditions. There have probably been just as many with the virus who have no symptoms or mild forms and recovered no problem. While it isn’t anything to take lightly and precautions are to prevent others who are most vulnerable from getting it or dying from it this complete shutdown has been a bad idea. Jack brings up a good point. Even with vaccines for the flu people in the millions get it and 10’s of thousands still die. And yet we still travel and go to Disney. If you have a health condition you might be worried, if you are healthy maybe not so much based on the numbers
It’s certain there are hundreds of times as many infected with no or minimal adverse reactions than those affected enough to need professional medical treatment. I agree, morbidity is likely a small fraction of any numbers being floated around. But you didn’t expect the media to be realistic all of a sudden, did you?
Disney should have a disclaimer come st your own risk. We know how Americans line to sue everything under the sun. Suicide for Disney.
America has a reputation for being incredibly litigious, but that reputation is often very divergent from the realities of successful lawsuits. A few high profile anomalies are not reflective of the legal system as a whole.
No one is going to be successful suing Disney over this.
Agreed.
This is Disney. Deep in the bowels of fine print, there is sure to be a disclaimer.
That sign, however fine print is most certainly posted in every nook and cranny you can find.
Wearing masks may be the normal for a while in Disney. I can see that. The finger screening, that isn’t going anywhere. They just need to wipe down the scanner EVERY TIME. We do that for making IDs. Clean the print off each time. Will we have temps, you never know. But everyone is just going to have to wait and see. I do think Disney will do a soft open. Like the guys on DIS, I believe it will help a slow introduction of people back in. It is going to take a bit of time for everything to be moving like normal for the parks. I think capacity wise, it will be cut back in restaurants and parks. But I am not sure they will cut the shows. That is one of the things every child wants to see and we all enjoy it. So I expect changes. I still have my reservations in Sept. Crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.
“They just need to wipe down the scanner EVERY TIME.”
Cast Members started doing this in the last couple of weeks the parks were open. I’d expect finger scanners and this practice to both return.
You can already refuse to give your fingerprint if you show photo ID. And they don’t use finger scans at Disneyland. So why you would make a definitive statement about them staying at WDW is beyond me. Not doing finger touches is an easy way to play to the psychological feeling of safety. Even Disney is going to have a hard time finding enough sanitizer for everything people are mentioning should be done. I would think we are going to see some permanent changes. Going to pictures like Disneyland might be one?
We live in Seattle, the ‘original’ epicenter. I don’t agree with temp checks, simply because there are MANY with COVID that are asymptomatic. We know about 8 that had (or currently have) the virus – and just 2 had fevers. There are so many unknowns, it’s mind blowing to think what could make us all safe again, to get back to our normal routines. I absolutely agree with Tom in that it’s not feasible to shutter non-essential business for 12-18 months. But with no cure or vaccine – does it simply become a “at your own risk” scenario? I don’t know and want to wake from this nightmare!
All buffets need to change to menu. Buffets are currently not seen as safe and should be discontinued.
I am anxious for things to get back to normal, but I can go ahead and tell you I will not be allowing any giant technology company to track my private health information on my cellphone in order to gain access to any kind of space. (As we are currently seeing in some Asian countries.) I’m ok with having my temperature checked on the spot though, as long as no tracking data is attached to that. We don’t have any trips planned for 2020, but if I find myself in Orlando this year, I will probably not be posting about it on social media.
I totally understand your position here and would agree, although my line on what I consider personal medical information would not include my body temperature readings (I realize that’s subjective and others will have different lines than I do on what is considered confidential medical information). However, if Disney decides to require that, I don’t think you would have a leg to stand on (legally speaking). They’re a private company and can set almost whatever entry requirements they want. Those that don’t want to comply of course have the option to not attend, because the requirements would be known before you enter the parks. As an aside, I get a chuckle out of the signs at the exit of Costco that says they reserve the right to look inside your bag as you leave. That’s a much trickier question, because they didn’t warn you of that condition of exiting before you entered (they basically entrapped you). Anyway, I understand your position and, most of all, I hope that a vaccine is developed quickly so we can all get back to life as normal!
This will be mess for quite some time. Maybe Disney can alter their refund policies for tickets … part of the problem is many people still go and drag themselves or sick kids through the parks because they can’t get a refund and don’t want to lose money. And I also think Buffets should be looked at — either have all servers on one side and full glass for guests on other (like deli counters). Family Style is OK but that limits the food selections.
Good point, I agree.
If they are to implement temperature checks I’d foresee Disney acquiring a large stockpile of the 15 minute COVID-19 test kits. I could see them doing the temperature checks as a form of primary screening, and if a guest “fails” then advising the guest they can elect to undergo secondary screening, i.e. take a test.
Without some sort of secondary screening, I’d wager there could be many irate guests (most expensive day ever and denied entry because your kid has got an ear infection/strep throat on the way down?!?!?).
I’d also be curious to see how far into the Disney bubble they implement these changes. For resort guests, if you don’t perform the check before they are on property/on the Magical Express it would truly be theater/offering little protection………
I would hope to god if someone has a child with strep throat or some other highly infectious virus they would not be bringing said child to the parks to infect others.
It is my sincerest hope that after all this is over, people will be more careful in not exposing others to ANY virus or illness. If your kid is sick, coronavirus or otherwise, STAY HOME. Most expensive day or not you could be risking the lives of others.
Strep throat isn’t contagious 24 hours after someone takes the antibiotics, but a low grade fever may remain…
There are about a bazillion reasons you could have a low grade fever, and pose no risk to anyone….
I second what Drew said . Plus many people have illness without showing Symptoms , even a fever. So you are constantly coming into contact with viruses and bacteria anytime you are in public. That’s why we have an immune system.
With all due respect Jessica, I don’t know of many people who would cancel their trip that they have planned over 6 months earlier due to one of their children coughing and sneezing a few days prior. Very few middle class families will forfeit even a hundred dollars let alone $1K for a cold. This is a mess and Disney can’t control certain things. Testing for fevers, as someone pointed out earlier seems like a substantial waste of time and resources because medication can control your temperature at least in temporary fashion. I agree with you that proper discretion should be used but families do not want to eschew their vacation plans due to various reasons including scheduling at work.
Yeah, I don’t think I know anyone, with or without kids, who would cancel a planned vacation like this for any illness not requiring immediate hospitalization. Aspirin, Dayquil, Nyquil, beer…
It’s simply not realistic to expect someone to do so and eat the ridiculous change fees gouged by airlines or hotels, not to mention park tickets. A plane ticket should be more like it used to be, essentially a bearer bond you bought from the airline, never to expire until used. Not expiring after a year, minus 50%, etc.
My husband and I were talking about checking temperatures. I understand that, but there are so many reasons for an elevated temperature that have nothing to do with this virus or any other.
Noting that is a threat to anyone else. As with many diseases, you may never know when your temperature is going to go up.
My husband has such a disease and I can’t imagine being on our vacation and being denied going into the parks because he has a low grade fever.
If they reopen without all the shows, rides and dining experiences and it looks like it won’t be back to pre-virus operation this year we will probably postpone our December trip to the following December. This is to be our last trip to DW and I want it to be worth it.
It will be interesting on how the openings will happen. I feel that with people who have mild cases will build immunity and until a vaccine is developed and distributed, even they will stay away. I don’t see people wearing masks all day long, let alone toddlers. Temperature taking in FL during the hot season seems like a discriminating practice at least. There are days when the heat is too much and your natural body temperature will be elevated. What? Make those people leave the park? No parades? I don’t see that happening either. I think you will see changes for the food, especially the buffets. Counter service will be the same but with limited capacity. Disney will get back to normal, maybe a new normal. I really don’t think it will open until the virus is under control and gets treated like the flu. Best thing for all of us: If your sick, coughing, or ?, STAY HOME even if it means rescheduling your vacation! Parents, if your kids are sick, STAY HOME! Don’t get me wrong, I love kids, have grandchildren, and enjoy being with them. OK, I’m ready for the backlash.
I agree the parks “shouldn’t” reopen until a vaccine is available for mass inoculation but they probably “will” reopen sooner than that.
I fear the parks will be a major vehicle to restarting the pandemic globally all over again when they reopen. The summer kids camps in my town are likely to be canceled, but parks with tens of thousands visitors flying from all over the world will reopen? Sounds like a total recipe for disaster
One big thing that jumps out at me is bag check. Will Security sanitize their gloves after checking each person’s bag? If not, all the people’s bags they check…..those germs will go onto everyone else’s bags!
Could bags just go through a scanner of some type?
They need to do like universal on the bag checks. And I believe this might happen now. Not sure if you have been to universal or not but you bags go through a machine like at the airports and they don’t have to look through them
Good point I hadn’t thought about that… they could ban bags of any type or require clear bags like stadiums
Your last article on the Reopening of Disney left the door open for quite a few people to voice their concerns and pass judgement on others that still plan to visit Disney if it opens in June. I feel social media has become worse as we’re all cooped up waiting to resume normalcy. There are those that don’t want to loose $$$, others that put health over Mickey, both of those are fine! There are no right or wrong theories. We’re all living in unprecedented times and who knows what will happen or how Disney will operate after this, but I believe there’s no reason why we can’t be more respectful towards one another and not call out individuals for their plans towards how they will move forward once Disney opens again.
“Your last article on the Reopening of Disney left the door open for quite a few people to voice their concerns and pass judgement on others that still plan to visit Disney if it opens in June.”
I think this will definitely occur. Before, there was social media FOMO and a desire to keep up with the Jonses. Now, there will likely be some degree of public shaming and virtuosity. For better or worse, both do shape human behavior (and by extension, attendance at WDW).
I find this exact topic fascinating to think about. Once things reopen and thus, have the blessing of government to do so, and likely the CDC/WHO to an extent, then to me, frequenting those places, esp for those at low risk for the virus, is providing more good than it is bad.
If nobody spends money on “non-essential” businesses until everybody has the vaccine, then certainly some of this businesses will crumble. It’s just too long to go without revenue. Further, if nobody spends why money on “non-essential businesses,” the economy will shrink and many jobs will be lost. So by responsibly assessing our own health, and choosing to spend money on these types of places, you are doing a lot of good. I think shaming everybody for leaving their house would be counter productive at that point.
Time will tell how it will look, but I hope people consider the big picture and reserve their judgement when the time comes.
For what it’s worth, I totally agree with you and feel the same way.
I’m just suggesting how I think some on social media will react to this. It might become “poor form” to go certain places or do certain things–even if vital to society’s economic health and well-being. Social media is rarely a barometer of what’s rational and measured.
Good points Tom. I could really not care any less what anyone else thinks of my vacation plans, and if they make a comment on social media they likely will be appreciate my response. Social media brings out the dumbest as well as most sarcastic among us…
I know I will get murdered for saying this but I don’t think this virus is as big a deal as we are being told it is. The numbers aren’t adding up. Millions visit Disney during Flu season and don’t create an epidemic. Thus I don’t think people going to Disney when it opens will be that earthshattering.
Millions are vaccinated against the flu.
Brighter, Yes and millions still get it and tens of thousands still die from it each year. And yet we still go out and shop, mingle and visit Disney parks during this time. with this Virus, we have no vaccines and aren’t even today at flu deaths. If we surpass and eclipse the flu numbers than I will be concerned. I’m not trying to say that this virus isn’t bad and contagious. Just that I don’t’ think it’s as bad as we are being told. It is for the older and those with underlying conditions, but the numbers show that most healthy people end up recovering.
Considering the fact that we don’t have a vaccine for this and many states are still only approaching a flu level of fatalities is not something to ignore. Additionally with the flu and flu vaccine, there is a level of built up immunity to the virus even tho the strains mutate. Whereas no one had any immunity to Covid-19 before this. Okay The percent changes day to day are in fact decreasing and that’s not even considering that our death toll is inflated because we aren’t filtering out deaths due to underlying health conditions like EVERY OTHER COUNTRY! It skews the data. But it is important to remember that vaccine efficacy is widely different from year to year and we won’t have a vaccine for covid-19 for a while yet. It’s sad because we can’t keep the economy shut down for much longer without serious consequences. Forget about the Great Recession, it will be more like the Great Depression. So the question is how do you protect the most at risk population, while still allowing the economy to being operating again as quickly as possible. I think a phased opening would be a good compromise. If you’re at risk then you should stay home at all costs but if you’re not then you should go back to work. That plus giving the antibody test to the widespread population would help measure the spread of herd immunity and make people feel safer.
It most certainly would not be worth it to me for only half the parks open. No shows or parades. I am sure they can give the impression of keeping people safe , but even people with covid have periods of no fever.
I don’t know maybe if there were three parks open and there was a deep deep discount. But if they still need need to take temps and keep six feet away it could be very arduous.
Orlando is going to have to stock up on respirators and hospital beds.
The other solution is everyone wears an N95 mask including kids which is impossible. I’m sure people in the Orlando area are eager for a reopening and it will reopen probably before a 100% solution is there. I fear the parks will be a major super spreader hotspot eventually after reopening and will have to be closed again.
What I don’t understand is since the beginning of WDW you’ve had people attending during flu season , people showing up with common colds, people getting over strep etc. They keep saying over 80% of people recover fully without any hospitalization. And they keep saying likely more people have had or have COVID 19 and show no symptoms. This has been one of the worst flu seasons in recent years but we all went to the store since October touching whatever and eating whatever without panicking. You’ve been around people at Disney or Target for many years with the flu or other illnesses.
Bottom lime is that is you are elderly or have a weakened immune system , use your discretion.
I think the flu comparisons with Covid19 have been written about ad nauseam and it is very different from flu when it comes to the healthcare system being able to handle acute outbreaks, Covid19’s ability to transmit silently and unnoticed until an entire nursing home dies, etc so I won’t write them all here.
DP, The flu transmits silently as well. You don’t know you have until you have it. This virus is the flu just a different strain. You add summer weather where most experts agree almost all viruses don’t survive well and the threat level IMO would be very low. At best the park’s measures would be theater…for show. Some would be common sense, limiting crowds to only on-site guests and AP holders along with sanitizing features throughout the park along with others.
No, Covid-19 is not the flu. Covid is a coronavirus, and flu is a orthomyxovirus. It’s like saying squirrels and elephants are the same because they’re both gray. They are significantly different in structure. Please don’t say that they’re the same.
brighter, does that really change my point? I don’t think so
I would think they will need to do away with finger scans at the entrance? Maybe utilize an entry with pictures like Disneyland or just check ID’s visually with your pass/magic and scan? And while I have no issues with having my temperature taken we all know MANY will object. And if they are saying more people are testing positive with no symptoms, what is the point? You are still going to have to accept a level of risk. And I also have no problem wearing a mask; but again many will. I can’t imagine trying to make young children wear them for hours at a time! It will be very interesting to see what happens…
Many people also initially objected to TSA screenings, and yet it became something everyone (who wants to fly) came to accept.
Yes but we all know certain people will object to the temperature taking. Not the same as checking your bag. Again, I have no issue but know several people who would. And if people won’t go because of it? Attendance issue for Disney. But I also know people who would find it very reassuring. I think it would be a false feeling of security (asymptomatic people) but you are right about the psychological reassurance needed for many. Time will tell!
The problem with all of these “safety” measures to me is that they don’t actually do anything. I understand that people want to feel safe but the reality of life is that it’s not safe and never will be. That’s the world that we live in. Going to Disney, or even outside your home wasn’t safe in many ways before this virus and no amount of mandatory mask wearing or temperature taking will make it truly safe now for reasons others have pointed out. We’re unfortunately, already past the point of mitigating the spread of the virus. The price of truly living is accepting the risk that yea, it can be dangerous to do so. It’s human hubris to think that we actually have any level of control. I would not trade freedom for a false sense of security even though I abhor the loss of human life as much as the next person.
“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
That famous Ben Franklin quote is nice sentiment, but the problem is that human nature and emotion runs counter to this. (In other words, I don’t disagree with you in theory, but in practice is a different story.)
Bama, what’s your opinion on TSA in general? There have been many investigations that have shown it is not very hard to smuggle contraband through the TSA checkpoints and onto a plane, especially if you have a concentrated effort with lots of perpetrators trying in parallel (some will inevitably get through). I’m not saying you aren’t correct, I’m just wondering if your opinion extends to things like TSA that have been shown to not work with the level of efficacy that many would hope/expect, especially given the amount of disruption introduced as part of the process (taking off belt and shoes, etc)…
Well, we only accepted it because there wasn’t a viable option if you can’t afford a private plane or to drive due to cost or cost of time. Removing shoes and belts is idiotic and also can spread germs. It pisses me off to pay added security fees on plane tickets for a government-mandated issue, which is not constitutional. Granted, using govt (actually taxpayer) money to pay is essentially the same thing but it stings less. It was BS to have to pay a fee for Precheck, but it’s so worth the pain there to not have to remove shoes and belt and every scrap of paper in your pocket. I guess now more people will recognize the potential of Kleenex to spread a bio-weapon though…
That’s the other issue with Disney security theater and not running all, 100% through metal detectors or the full scanners like at airports for wheelchairs and strollers, etc.
Using a full xray system for bag check would be slightly more visually obtrusive, but faster than hand searching every bag. And when are they installing AP bag check sections, anyway?
If they decide that everyone must wear a mask, they had better have a lot more medical staff on site. I can only imagine how many people will get sick or pass out after wearing a mask in 100% humidity and 90+ degrees.
There other problem with opening up in June would be staffing. They have shut down the College Program for now and those kids provide a lot of staff at a cheap price.
Character greeting might be a thing of the past as well, especially for face characters who would not be able to maintain social distance. The costumed characters might be able to wear a mask under their costume, but that leads to the problem I described above, surviving heat with a mask on.
“There other problem with opening up in June would be staffing. They have shut down the College Program for now and those kids provide a lot of staff at a cheap price.”
This is a very fair point, but the counter to that is without resuming 100% operations (or having the same pre-closure crowd levels), they won’t need prior staffing levels.
True. But Epcot World Showcase pavilions will be far less authentic, although we’ve been experiencing that for years with intrusions such as ruining the Maelstrom, etc.
I was going to say the same thing about masks and heat, DebC. We have rescheduled our March Spring Break trip to mid-July (if they’re even open by then). I can deal with the heat/humidity since I grew up in south Louisiana, but not if I have to wear a mask…that would be suffocating. If they want to take my (and my family’s) temps to make people “feel” safe, fine – but not sure we could deal with mandatory face mask-wearing in July in Florida.
With regard to buffets. I’m wondering and I suppose suggesting that rather than continuing with them, possibly creating more family style meals? I know that would impact food selection but we all have to admit that buffets are a germ waiting to happen. At the same time not having the character meals would be unthinkable!!!
Yeah, I think/hope that self-service buffets are not a thing for the next couple of years.
I completely agree. I really believe if anyone is going to get this right, it will be Disney. I completely trust their initiative and feel even though they are in business to make money, they have a family’s in mind first. That’s what separates them from the rest.
Taking temperatures is not preventative as we all know by now people are infected and spreading the virus with no symptoms.
The only way they open safely is if they do rapid tests for everyone that enters the parks every day multiple times a day. I’m not sure if that’s possible. Otherwise with any opening will be impossible to maintain social distance and will result in spreading the virus with nearly 100% certainty.
There is no possible or practical solution that’s 100% safe or certain. It’s about risk mitigation and making people feel comfortable more than it’s about a blanket of complete safety.
Me seeing a temperature taken will not make me feel more comfortable. The fact is not all will have a fever and a person is contagious well before having symptoms. The most important things Disney can do are make it obvious they are disinfecting everything throughout the day, no more finger scans and hand sanitizers use at entry points to everything. They may need to do as cruise lines do and have staff at all entry points to squirt hand sanitizer into peoples hands. This will be a big cost to Disney that in the long run will make people feel more comfortable returning to the resorts and parks. We all have to accept some responsibility to staying healthy and helping those around us stay healthy.
I have no problem with proposed security enhancements, my question is in a world where there’s no parades fireworks, reduced ride capacity, Etc, what are they going to charge for ticket prices? We have already seen this week the discussion about changes on various menus with offerings being taking away but more importantly for this discussion prices going up -some substantially. Will they really try to charge full price for a greatly reduced experience?
Very interesting article, and right now, any information, even speculative (more educated guesses) is appreciated. What a strange time.
I appreciate the thought in the article but I have to wonder. Can they, will they consider reopening without iconic attractions or worse, end of day fireworks/shows? Can they reasonably operate while reducing restaurant capacity? If people are there, they need to eat.
My mind moves to what other large capacity events like sporting events. If the NFL proceeds, for example, it means there will be stadiums filled with people, which isn’t really any different than a large crowd gathering for fireworks. I think it’s going to be interesting to see how this plays out, but I do agree that eventually, before there’s a vaccine, businesses will need to open. It’s just not sustainable. The question here is, what is it going to look like? Very interested to find out.
Baseball is looking at play all their games in Arizona stadiums (spring training stadiums) without any fans. Games will be broadcast on television. NFL can’t use their summer training camps because many of those are college football stadiums, but maybe LSU will remain National Champs for another year with no college football and then NFL can use the stadiums without any fans.
No football season? That’s when Americans will really lose their minds….