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!
As the virus spreads deeper into other areas of the world, there will need to be continued travel restrictions. When the parks finally begin to open, there will be fewer people traveling. As time progresses, so will mitigating treatments. Don’t count on any vaccine and time soon. The number of people who have already had this and have recovered will increase. And, by then hopefully there will be wide-spread testing, so that we know who has had it. There will be a large percentage of the population, with the large percentage being the younger set, who have already been infected, and who will be ripe for getting out and enjoying life, and/or getting back to work as cast members. Life will go on. Most likely, what we will see is that older people and those with compromised immune systems won’t be returning to the parks as quickly. Testing for fever is fine, but we already know asymptomatic people can infect others.
Generally speaking, US citizens don’t yet have the perspective of those in China or South Korea, who have adapted their lives to benefit the greater good. We’re still in the wild west phase for the most part, but life and microbiology has a way of forcing change.
Ah yes, the old “Greater good” ploy, and of course we ALL believe in data from China. Except that I’ve lived and worked there extensively and I’ll bet you haven’t. I wouldn’t believe the Chinese government if they said the sun rose in the East!
“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”
Albert Einstein
Pardon me while I go get some more popcorn. Who needs Disney for entertainment? ? Can’t wait for the next pearl’s of wisdom about the “Greater good!!”
No kidding! There’s common sense and then there are foolish lemmings.
Jack, didn’t mean to stoke the anger. I should have prefaced my comment to show it was solely referring to the adopted cultural habit of wearing masks to protect the population as a whole. My bad for not communicating that point clearly.
Ash, they only wear masks in China because the pollution is so bad. Now they continue to wear them to “protect” themselves from the virus. Or maybe to protect themselves from the CCP.
Yeah Deb. Beijing or Shanghai on a summer’s day is a pollution paradise! Masks don’t even help much.
Thanks for your post Jack. I have the same opinion as you concerning China. I am a 77 year old Vietnam Vet and I like popcorn.
Hey Jay!
Nice to hear from a brother in arms. Hope you are well. If you were a “ground pounder” when you saw those big, beautiful “double uglies” with MARINES painted on the fuselage roll in low to give you close in, that mighta been me. Stay well!
And I apologize for being nasty but I’m 74, been through a war or two as a combat pilot. Been shot down, bailed out and am a watch-wearing member of the Martin Baker club, lived and worked in some sixth world parts of third world countries, had automatic weapons pointed at me, stuff like that. My problem is that I’m just not intimidated by much. Gotta die sometime and, God willing, I’ll do it standing erect, not hiding under my bed from a virus.
That said, I have no problem wearing an N95 to protect others, for a while anyway, and I do take precautions to protect myself and my wife, but hide out I will not. Wife and I were in WDW in late Feb thru early March and we’re fine. Flew us down to Key West over Christmas and I was back and forth as a consulting engineer on a power plant start up in Lake Charles LA for most of the winter until just now. Every time you turn on your lights think of people like me. It’s what we do. Anyway, still fine. As I said, reasonable precautions work. Just got the motorhome out of winter storage and can’t wait to get going. Totally self contained too.
I only have one life and statistically probably not much of that left. Not going to waste it hiding under my bed.
Peace!
Jack,
Your words of strength, courage and preserverance are what the American people need to hear. Not fear mongering, fear propaganda media reports. It doesn’t make sense that the protection from a virus is the prices of our Constitutional and Civil Liberties that men such as you have fought for us.
Disney and the rest of our businesses WILL open back up and I believe that it will be with precautions of health and equally preserving our CONSTUTIONAL RIGHTS.
THANK YOU Jack and all our Veterans!
Jack. Thanks for your service. Navy here. Saw F4s regularly. Awesome plane. They were big but not ugly! Carrier duty then Oct 64 – Apr 65 at NSS in Da Nang.
Jay,
Mostly flew off the “Bird Farms.” Even got my 200 Night Trap Patch. Only “In Country” for occasional major maintenance and compulsory staff/ planning meetings thank God. Wasn’t ever much on sampling the local life but ironically did a several month can plant start up in Hanoi decades later. Wife went to see Uncle Ho. Couldn’t bring myself to do it. Anyway, had command responsibilities early on so pretty much needed to be available, coherent and on point 24/7. Kept me out of trouble tho. *Grin*
Hey Tom! Did you notice the Disney website put in operating hours for theme parks starting 5/3???
It’s hard to imagine a better place for a communicable disease to spread than a theme/amusement park, and WDW with its daily tens of thousands from around the world is the crown jewel of Petri dishes.
It is quite possible Disney will mothball the parks until an effective vaccine or effective treatments are developed. Certainly serious Disney execs are already developing plans to do that and reposition the income streams. Disney as we knew it may be dead; it may emerge from this a smaller, leaner company, perhaps broken up with portions sold off to deep-pockets investors with more diversified holdings.
The only viable alternative to a long closure and/or restructuring of Disney itself that I can see is to require every guest to sign a waiver taking full responsibilty for any SARS virus infection incurred as a result of visiting any Disney venue, as well as fully absolving Disney of any and all liability. You go,you get sick, it’s on you. There is no feasible way to social distance at WDW.
Mike, I don’t see any of that happening. Signing a waiver? Come on, that’s a joke right? There’s no way to win a suit like that against Disney, unless it can be categorically proven that a large number of folks were infected at the same place and time, AND that there was some clear liability. Simply being open for business doesn’t meet that standard.
Hi Tom! Can you please remove me from this thread? My phone keeps going off with ridiculous arguments between people and I really can’t stand the negativity. I will continue to subscribe to your blog as I love your wife and your information with regard to Disney and appreciate how much you love WDW. However I feel as though people should j be pulling together not tearing each other down and I just don’t have time to keep going into my phone to delete ridiculous comments that are so mean and unnecessary. Thank you again for all that you do!
I’m sorry about that! I assume you commented and checked a box to “notify me of follow-up comments by email”?
Unfortunately, I don’t have a way to manage your email subscription on this post. However, you should have an “unsubscribe” (or something of that sort) link at the bottom of one of the email notifications you receive.
My personal opinion is that in the summer when it’s hot, and viruses do not thrive in heat, I say resume as normal with medical staff at each location in case you feel like you’re getting sick. There are very, very few cases of flu or really any virus in the summer. Lost of available hand sanitizer throughout the park! And I believe consumers will use common sense hygiene after what we’ve gone thru with covid! At some point, we have to step out and try to resume normalcy…….just with a different mindset. I’ve read multiple times that if you let your temperature rise, you kill the virus! any virus! Well as hot as Orlando gets in the summer, that little virus is gonna have to work really hard to survive! LOL!
OPEN! OPEN! OPEN!
One other quick note, it would be really nice if Disney could extend some type of discounts for both tickets and hotels in light of our nation being on lockdown for 6 weeks! We as consumers have a choice where to spend our money to “jumpstart” the economy, help us do this wisely, so that we can share the wealth, and not give it all to Disney.
It will probably open at some point but then the virus comes back in the fall and winter. Then what? Also Southern Hemisphere countries in summer now are getting hit with the virus so I don’t expect summer it be a panacea.
Opening Disney parks or any massive large gatherings like that you might as well crop dust the virus on large parts of the world because there’s no way people are quarantining themselves at home after a weeklong trip to Disney
Then what will happen is that, hopefully we won’t repeat this insanity, there will be a predictable resurgence of the virus, we’ll handle it, we’ll develop a herd immunity as we need to, we’ll have a semi-effective vaccine, a couple of mitigating treatments and then and only then this will be behind us. BTW, just like the flu and other viruses, it’s never going away. Deal with it.
Sue, Do You need to be Reminded that this Germ has already Killed Thousands of People, and you think it will just be ignored to get back to normal……”.Fat Chance!
Thousands of people. Of 8 billion. Over 200 people die in these USA every day due to hospital acquired infections. Worldwide is probably a lot more.
sue, you are not correct in saying the virus doesn’t survive in the heat and won’t survive in florida in summer. I live in a hot humid part of Australia and we are coming out of our summer wet season. The virus has spread here just as easily as it does in cold places. Look at the outbreak in Singapore too which is hot and humid all year around. Wherever you are getting your information from is not a credible source. If people “feel like they are getting sick” inside DisneyWorld, it is already too late – they will already have infected hundreds of others park visitors. Disney can only reopen when it is safe to do so or the lawsuits against them would be crippling.
There will never be a successful lawsuit of such a nature against Disney. There’s absolutely zero way to show liability.
If they’re going to eliminate all of the entertainment they might as well not open. I would assume this also means character meets since the staff would come into contact with hundreds of guests per day. Instituting a full no hug or no high-five rule will just make the experience seem worthless to kids. Disney would basically be removing 3/4 of what families with young kids focus on at the parks. Opening up is a worthy goal but the novelty of it will wear off quickly once people see how bizarre it is if they make drastic changes to their fundamental value proposition. Same thing with baseball: if they play with nobody in the stands they will get sky high viewership for one week. Then people will simply find it spooky.
Agreed. Parades/fireworks/shows are what makes Disney Disney. If I want to ride some rides, I can head over to a Cedar Fair or Six Flags park.
Universal Singapore had temperature-detecting cameras in the run-up to their closure, and they didn’t alter the flow of guests that much. They were then following up with specific temperature screening for those flagged. I expect this to be the form temperature screening takes at Disney as it is easily adaptable to resorts, etc.
As for queuing, I expect people will adhere to social distancing from other parties throughout the queues (whether asked to or not). On busier days that will result in the standby line being fully used, in which case Disney will need a backup system (and ideally one better than “please fill in all available space”). That necessity lends credence to the need for some kind of virtual queueing system. I also think this may result in operational challenges for attractions where the capacity of crowded pre-show rooms are balanced against the capacity of the ride itself (Haunted Mansion is the most obvious example there).
It doesn’t look like Disney is planning to lower costs… I just saw this morning that they announced dates and prices for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. It’s CRAZY expensive! And there is no discount for the last to days of the party. We have a trip scheduled at the end of May and are pretty much assuming it won’t happen. The only other time we can go is in December. But that makes our trip WAY more expensive than if we could just have kept the May trip. Hotel prices are higher, even with the military discount, after hours tickets are way more, airfare will be higher. oh and my “free” 2 year old will be 3 by then.. so now I have to buy him a dining plan and park ticket… I don’t think we’re going to be able to make it work… it’s just TOO MUCH MONEY DISNEY!
I saw that, but within an hour after going live, it was taken down. My guess is that this was set and scheduled far in advance, and wasn’t intended to go live right now.
The only other possibilities are that Walt Disney World leaders are delusional about economic realities, or they plan on significantly lowering the attendance cap. Either of those are possibilities, but my guess is that this was a mistake and those dates and prices were determined months ago.
I don’t know if this was asked but do you think cancellation policies will be more relaxed if you do get sick or someone in your party won’t be allowed in the park because they do have a temperature. From my experience I clearly had bronchitis and could barely speak and my daughter was sick on antibiotics and I was given the runaround to reschedule or cancel a trip within a few days of arrival. I no longer book through third parties or non refundable rooms anymore, but I hope that hotels and Disney should start giving guests more room to adjust trips when sick.
I’d say the kid was 2 anyway. Not your fault… But I do not see prices being lowered at all. Right now, flights are crazy cheap for Fall. Rooms, not so much. No way would I pay more than $100 to stay at All Star Sports unless it was the last hotel in the state. Not that I even considered it, just saw the rates for the dates I was looking at.
Thank you for your always thoughtful & objective perspective! This was very helpful!
For myself being 60 and with previous health issues my holiday for April May has been put on hold.
During my previous 7 visits the magic of Disney World has been the expressions of the children’s faces when meeting the characters are memories that will last forever.
The parades, fireworks, character meals, shows and even meeting and talking to strangers from other countries on the bus, boat or monorail have become part of the Magic of Disney.
Chatting to cast members and security at bag checks have all added to the experience.
Even though I am in a wheelchair I still enjoy following my family around the water parks rides and lazy rivers.
For the near future until a vaccine is found I will wait for my next visit as it is too risky to my health but most of all to all the Disney cast members, Florida residents and everyone in the medical profession who risk their lives to help those that become ill because someone decides that a holiday can’t wait no matter what the risk is.
No matter how much it costs a single person catching this terrible virus and dying because they visited Disney is unthinkable
Stay safe everyone and we will come out of this
The idea of just opening Disney Springs and a few hotels for more than a few days isn’t plausible. On most trips, we don’t even go to DS. I can go to a mall anywhere. If we do go, it’s for Jock Lindsay’s or Raglan Road, etc. Even then, usually only on travel days or reduced park hours days.
In a phased opening, the idea behind opening Disney Springs first would be for the Central Florida audience looking that has been pent-up at home and is eager to get out and about.
It’s going to be difficult to expect to flip a switch and expect everything to return to normal. Disney Springs is the simplest piece of the puzzle.
Sure it is, but it’s also the least important. DS has zero influence in my vacation planning, except maybe as a stop after our arrival too late to go to a park.
All this temperature taking nonsense will not work for menopausal or peri-menopausal women who suffer hot flashes. Disney would be excluding a large segment of the population. Stress can trigger them, and let me tell you personally that waiting in line for a screening is enough to trigger a hot flash (even thinking about it is doing it right now!) and yes it’s hot enough to read as a “fever.” Should we bring a doctor’s note explaining that we’re just hot flashing? Will that suffice? Can you imagine the scenes at the screening stations as large numbers of menopausal women are denied entry?
I can.
It ain’t pretty.
The same goes for park-goers who have Lupus. A symptom of which is a low grade fever.
Yes, very true, as it is with several autoimmune diseases. If I’m having a flare up, my temperature will rise, but I’m not “sick”.
Ummm hot flashes do not raise a woman’s body temperature enough to register a significant difference on a thermometer.
Hot flashes vary from woman to woman. Mine are severe and yes they do register that hot.
If yours are not that bad, I envy you greatly.
I must say I’m glad I’m a dude!
Be safe everyone.
Preach!!!!!
How about a reality check here? There is no way Disney can screen crowds of the size that attend the parks effectively enough to come anywhere near even a minimal guarantee of all park goers being virus free. Tamiflu does not work for this virus. If the present flu vaccines are any indication any Coronavirus vaccine will be between 40 and 70 percent effective at best, depending on virus mutations. Social Distancing in the parks will be impossible. So in the end it’s up to us. Do we avoid Disney, and all other mass social gatherings like concerts and sporting events or do we take reasonable precautions and assume as much responsibility for our own health as possible and go anyway? In the end, when Disney reopens, that’s what it is going to come to unless an effective medication is agreed upon, and even then that’s not a 100 percent guarantee of cure
The flu vaccine would not be the same as a vaccine for COVID-19. Influenza has been around for ages and there are dozens of strains. The flu shot involves guessing which strains will be dominant in the season. Sometimes they hit the mark and sometimes they do not. With COVID, there are currently only two strains, one of which is dominant. That said, who knows if the vaccines they are developing will work, we can only hope.
OK – We have 4 people in our party. Going to a park and 1 fails the temperature check. What is the expectations – 3 of us will go and 1 will go back to hotel? If we decide all to skip the park then what? What happens to our ADR – will we be charge the per person fee? How about the cost of the park pass? Do we all get a refund? Say we are not interested in going another day or its our last day?
Ok – still thinking
We have 2 people in our party. Going to a park and 1 fails the temperature check. Not many will go it alone in the parks – correct?
I would be more hesitant in pre-purchasing park tickets not knowing if we all will get into a park. If not, are we going to be stuck with unused tickets. What happens if it is the start of our trip and going with no idea someone will fail the temperature check. Then what? That person spends the whole trip in the hotel alone. I can’t see going on a trip as a family and having one member staying in the hotel. We all wouldn’t go to the parks and be forced to do something outside Disney. I hope they don’t kick us out of the hotel.
I can’t imagine that Disney is dumb enough to continue selling vacations without keeping guests informed of what will or won’t be operating when they arrive. If staged openings of resorts/parks/rides/restaurants/etc. will occur, that info will undoubtedly be widely circulated. I don’t think a company who is known for their outstanding customer service would even consider inviting guests back without full disclosures. I’ve seen pool remodels scheduled for 6 months in the future PROMINENTLY disclosed on the website when booking vacations. I’m sure if an entire park is closed, the consumer will know in advance and will be given the opportunity to cancel their trip.
It’s interesting with MDE how well-poised Disney potentially is to implement changes like required mobile ordering or virtual queuing. I pet “pandemic” wasn’t on their list when brainstorming uses for the technology!
Mobile ordering is awesome! Just walk up and grab your beer.
If people don’t do any research on closures and such before their trip, that’s just too bad. This isn’t the 80s!
Taking temperatures is a joke. The 80% of covid patients who are asymptomatic, presymptomatic, or mildly ill will either have no fever or a mild one that can be made to disappear with ibprofen, and will be spreading coronavirus everywhere in the park. People who are more acutely sick with coronavirus cannot get up and walk 10 feet (I know, I was one) so aren’t going to trotting around the parks. And if any are crazy enough to go, they will have already infected tons of other people and surfaces at the resorts, on buses/monorail/boats, etc. before even getting to the temperature check. A baby in a stroller with a recurring ear infection, however, will fail the temperature test even though they are not a threat to anyone, but that is the family that is going to get turned away at the park gate.
was coming down here to say exactly this. the number of asymptomatic patients, including a majority of exposed children, make temp taking a complete waste of time. people can be shedding the virus all over, and that’s what makes it so dangerous- people think they aren’t sick when they actually have been infected and are contagious.
It would be nice if you were staying on property if they checked your bag at the bus stop then gave you a wrist band or scan your magic band, something to indicate you had completed everything. Then have a separate entrance for prescanned guests, I would think it would make it quicker for everyone.
Much like the absurdity of not having the Skyliner stations all inside a secure perimeter, a huge mistake in planning.
I think if they put too many measures in it will lose the magic that a lot of people save hard for for many years.
I think taking away shoes and parades is part of the magic that would be tragic to lose.
On the temperature front I don’t think it will resolve the problem, someone can have a ear infection and have temperature!
I think the best thing is the hand sanitising locations around the park and at the entrance to all food outlets/restaurants.
I would also reduce the numbers allowed in the parks and the after hours events.
Apart from that I think they need to leave well alone.
This is the first time something like this has happened and Disney have been running fine for many years.
Once this pandemic is over I think apart from what I’ve mentioned we need Disney to get back to the magic it’s known for.
I’m not giving them my shoes! Usually wear sandals anyway in the parks. The recent years have already taken away a lot of the magic for most people who are return Guests. Having to do so much planning ahead of time, the crowds, Fastpass Minus and the weak MDE app all combine to a degraded experience. I kind of feel bad for the fools who just show up without doing research or knowing any of us who read this blog and comment frequently, and have a terrible time. On the other hand, if they don’t come back that’s fewer people in front of me…
Mrnico… I’m hoping you’re joking. They obviously meant shows and accidentally typed shoes.
Yes it was predictive text!
I certainly didn’t mean shoes lol I meant shows!
And I for one love the shows and parades and would be upset to go and not see them, it wouldn’t be the same.
And as someone else said the crowds that will be there even if they reduce the numbers will still be very high with people that could potentially have the virus and not be presenting With any symptoms so could spread it and that’s the same in shops football stadiums infact most entertainment venues.
It will be impossible to stop this spreading if it’s there.
The best thing is for the sanitising stations and hope that everyone uses them regularly.
I think it should come down to You go if you want to and don’t if you don’t want too!
Once the ban is lifted I would go but I won’t if they put too many restrictions and changes in place
I took my daughter to Disney World 8 or 9 times between 1989 and 2002. I camped at Fort Wilderness by myself in 2009. I went back at the very end of January 2020, and the whole experience was very different from my trips when my daughter was growing up. I still love WDW, but I feel fortunate to have experienced it 15-20 years ago.
Erin, I was totally messing with him on that.
Mallory, I completely agree. Getting to go in the 70s, 80s, and working at MK in the DCP in 92 are great memories. Ones kids today won’t have.
Totally agree!!!
Karen and Mrnico,
I have a picture of my daughter walking (not running) towards Cinderella’s Castle in the morning and the shot shows a long length of Main Street (including sidewalks) totally empty (except for her).
Mallory, that’s awesome!
Great post.. echos things I’ve said in comments and other forums.
Just to address the likelihood of certain changes you mentioned and didn’t mention:
Most likely, almost certain changes:
– Temperature checks
-Reduction of touch points. Skip the fingerprint entry for now, just go with magic band scanning. No cash payment, everything through Apple Pay, magic band, etc.
– Lots of extra handwashing stations. Possibly strongly encouraged hand washing before/after attractions.
More likely than not:
– Entertainment reductions, under guise of public safety, but also as cost savings. How much, I’m not sure. In reality, they *should* in some ways increase entertainment but this is costly: What I mean, go back to 2 Fantasmic shows, limiting attendance at each. But, obviously much cheaper just to get rid of Fantasmic altogether. (if there is a reason to keep the entertainment, they have a lot of upselling built around the major fireworks and shows).
– Some level of masking. Whether it be all staff, or portions of staff. Less likely, all guests.
-Dining changes, including more mobile ordering. Maybe more room service offered to the room. (for example, monorail resorts can get room service from each other’s restaurants, same with Epcot area resorts). More spacing in restaurants. (though, how do you offer free dining, which increases TS reservations, and then cut the TS capacity by half?!? Book for free dining! But no restaurants will be available!)
-Limits on meet and greets, especially of face characters
Possible but less likely:
-Attendance limits, possibly limiting or restricting off site guests. (limit attendance, you are reducing crowd density. Additionally, off site guests are harder to monitor and less profitable)
-Cancellation of most/all entertainment
-Universal mask wearing for the general public
-Limits or elimination of standby queues
-Wiping down attractions after every ride…
– And shutting down attractions where that’s not feasible. — (I just don’t really see it feasible for any ride, especially for many of the most popular. 1 solution is to literally hand guests a wipe as they enter the ride, and telling them to wipe it down as they sit. When I walk into Whole Foods, I can pick up a wipe and wipe down my own cart. Similar concept).
Rumored/Possible/But highly unlikely
– Epcot won’t re-open. The biggest support for this rumor is that Cultural Representative contracts have been cancelled… combined with the Fall internship program cancelled. Disney will be short cast members to run all of Disney World, especially Epcot. But I still think it’s unlikely — it would cause other parks to be way too crowded. It would be a dramatic reduction in restaurant capacity at the same time you’re offering free dining, and all restaurants may be reducing capacity. Sure, Epcot may open 2 weeks later than other parks, but I don’t think it will be 6 months later. But it’s on the list of the possible.
– 1 rumor has just Disney Springs + Resorts + a small handful of attractions opening. I can imagine this as the first phase for a week or 2, but I doubt this is really a long term plan.
Regardless of what they choose — they MUST inform the public as Tom points out. By May 1st, as final payments are coming due for those June 1st trips, Disney needs to start informing guests what they can expect. They can use language like “subject to change” “anticipated” etc… But they must give people a general realistic idea of what they can expect.
You can have people find out at the last minute that their restaurant reservations are all getting cancelled, that half the rides will be down, there will be no fireworks, etc.
My personal proposals, having studied the issues:
— Limit off site guests, maybe only AP holders. This can reduce attendance by 50%, thereby creating a major density decrease.
— Temperature checks at park entrance and as people enter and leave the hotels, restaurants, etc.
–Mandatory masks for all guests and staff in parks. (while I don’t believe it’s likely, it’s a low cost modification with a decent level reward).
–Decentralized fireworks. In other words, end the projection show. Don’t let guests congregate on Main Street. But instead, “fireworks can be viewed from anywhere in the park, please keep social distancing space between parties”
— Eliminate “touch” as much as possible. Touchless payments, touchless entry.
— Reduce bottlenecks, especially the rope drop turnstile bottleneck. Let guests into the parks super early, let them wander, not gather at one spot. Maybe scan magic bands as people get off transportation so they can skip the turnstile scanning altogether).
–Handwashing stations EVERYWHERE. Can be a spritz of hand sanitizer. Mandatory hand sanitizer as you enter resorts, restaurants, etc.
— Expanded in-room dining, with all nearby resorts delivering to each other. QS restaurants become mobile-only.
These steps would allow most operations at Disney to continue, but with appropriate risk reductions.
I think your ideas are solid. I have thought of many of these myself. I 100% agree that Disney World should open to onsite guests and APs only initially. This is a solid way to control crowds. Also, though many will not like it, shows and fireworks should be put on hold. Large groups of people pushed up right next to one another is a disaster in the making.
Adam! Well spelled,
Except for that thing about paying. No Crapple stuff for me! Mobile ordering is great though.
And cannot cancel fireworks, ever. More pyro is always better!
YOU Have Detailed the Perfect Train Wreck Disaster! Foolish to think any of that will work in WDW!
Without similar measures, the likely alternative is staying closed.
I these proposals are solid too. I think limiting to on site guests and APH makes sense. I wonder if there would be any modifications to the park hopper tickets to keep crowdsl sizes more predictable through the day.
The overwhelming majority of WDW guests stay offsite, so only allowing onsite guests will not work. I can hear everyone saying, “But that would solve the crowding problem!”
– Yeah not gonna happen. The horrific PR of eliminating offsite guests would be catastrophic for WDW’s reputation, not to mention the local economy.
And nothing says “magic” like requiring everyone to wear masks.
About 50% of guests are off-site, on average…
And experts are suggesting that attendance will need to be reduced by about 50%…
So.. perfect.
If you can afford 200 a night for a off site hotel you can stay onsite at all star resorts
Sorry but I’m not ever paying $200 for the All-Stars, especially not Sports. It’s my least favorite Disney resort by far. Like an overpriced Motel 6, which I also won’t stay at. Far cheaper offsite alternatives anyway.
I agree with everything except masks. Can you imagine spending a day at Disney without seeing emotions/smiles. No way! It’s supposed to be an escape. Masks scream sickness and danger. It would ruin everything.
You should not reduce capacity to on site guests and app holders. It’s easy, just don’t sell tickets over a certain capacity. Kind of like they are doing right now for a potential May opening. If you already have a ticket you can go, but no new reservations.
Same result — No off-site guests. If they have approximately 80,000 on-site guests at a time, and new capacity is only about 80,000-85,000…. then that leaves no tickets for the general public.
Why not they know their cleaning routine and not that of off site hotels the cost of a off site hotel is the same as a on site all star hotel
Adam- I appreciate all your insightful entry. Unfortunately, they are falling on deaf Mickey ears. To my knowledge, Bog Iger is not reading this blog on a daily basis, although to Tom’s credit he probably should! I don’t even think a collaboration of the greatest business minds in the country could allow for Disney Parks to reopen and be the safe and enjoyable haven that we have grown accustomed to over all these years.
Do we now need Disney telling us how communist China operates for the common good? Their genius police state offsets any societal care with zero tolerance of public dissent, no free travel, and no free markets. No crisis should excuse their mass incarceration of political prisoners and disappeared opponents, nor their manipulation of businesses. Iger knows better, or should know better.
Why go if the Disney experience is not there. Our rescheduled trip will be canceled. I can think of other places to spend that money!
Right! Even suggesting we would fall for intrusive BS like China is insane. Almost as bad as trying to compare these USA to a former prison colony to push your gun control agenda…we’re far too different culturally from any other place in the world. Even CA.
We WILL NOT BE installing tracking apps on our phones. That’s absurdly idiotic. We’d then either not carry phones or (more realistically these days with everything tied to it) just turn them off when we don’t need to use them. Yes, I do know there are hardware/firmware workarounds to keep a tracker on even if the phone is ‘off.’ Kind of the reverse of the crazy dumb airplane mode on a phone. If a cell phone was capable of interfering with avionics, they simply wouldn’t be allowed in the passenger cabin at all. But I digress…
Disney can already track you around the parks via your Magic Band.
100% correct! Nothing China does is even remotely a good idea in the USA! Definitely a guaranteed way to lose the magic!