WDW Reopening Update: Orange County Defers to Disney & Florida Announces Phase 1
In this Walt Disney World reopening roundup, we’ll cover yesterday’s press conference by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, WDW cancelling more hotel reservations for May, Southwest Airline’s “request” for the parks to reopen, and a meeting by the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force during which they essentially deferred to Disney.
Before beginning, we want to address the vocal minority expressing closure update ‘fatigue.’ Some readers understandably only want to know when Walt Disney World announces the parks are officially reopening. To be transparent, this is not that–it’s an incremental update. It will be abundantly clear when there’s a major announcement–the words “Disney officially announces” will appear in the title and the news will be emphatically shared far and wide across social media.
If you aren’t interested in anything other than that, we’d encourage you to stop clicking these posts until seeing such a headline. Some have lamented that anything short of an official reopening date is pointless and perhaps stress-inducing, as these inner machinations are easily misconstrued or overblown. For our part, we’ve attempted to combat that by contextualizing everything, frequently using words like tentative, speculative, preliminary, etc. in order to quell rumor and fear-mongering.
There’s a huge appetite for the “inside baseball” updates on Walt Disney World, Orange County, and the State of Florida as they all inch towards reopening. For evidence of this, look no further than the comment counts on any post related to the closure as compared to our fun posts or top 10 lists. For many, the drawn out reopening process is fascinating just as is following the business side of the Walt Disney Company.
The simple reality is that many of us are stuck at home with nothing better to do. Between curiosity and a surplus of time, I’ve voraciously read dozens of articles per day. I have a Google alert set up for a couple of ancillary topics that likely will be impacted (not Disney-related). It doesn’t produce any definitive news (yet), but I nonetheless read all of the commentary and speculation.
On a daily basis, we watch governor press conferences for states where we do not live. Yesterday, I watched a full 84-minute briefing by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. Why? I don’t know. We don’t live anywhere near Arizona. I certainly don’t blame CBSN for airing the newsworthy content. They didn’t force me to watch it.
While there is overwhelming interest in these closure and reopening updates, we nevertheless want to balance that (most of our content is still fun and lighthearted, like the Cats of Disney or Ducks of Disney posts) and minimize the chances that smaller stories are given outsize consideration. Accordingly, we’re going to begin consolidating some of this news into “WDW Reopening Updates,” which is what we’ve done here. Basically, if you see that preface in a title going forward, it’s less consequential and not breaking news.
With that out of the way, let’s start with the biggest piece of the puzzle first: Florida as a whole. Governor Ron DeSantis held a briefing late yesterday, during which he outlined the steps the state had been taken thus far before unveiling Phase One of Florida’s reopening plan.
Florida will reopen certain businesses throughout the state on Monday (May 4, 2020), excluding the hardest-hit counties of Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach. During this phase, restaurants and retail spaces can allow customers inside, but only at 25% capacity. Restaurants can also offer outdoor seating if tables are 6 feet apart.
Schools and most other businesses in Florida cannot reopen yet. Explicitly included among these are movie theaters, bars, fitness centers, hair stylists, and other personal services.
In public, all people must adhere to social distancing guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Face masks are recommended in public for interactions and situations where social distancing is not possible.
The implications here for Walt Disney World are minimal, if any. While the theme parks and resorts will not be reopening as part of the first phase, it does leave the door open for Disney Springs.
The questions are whether Walt Disney World wants to reopen the complex, if it’s viable for third party dining to operate at only 25% capacity, and when Orange County will allow restaurants to reopen.
Our expectation is that Disney Springs will be the first component of Walt Disney World to reopen, but that’s incredibly unlikely to happen on May 4, 2020. Orange County’s tentative timeline for businesses was previously May 11, and even that seems aggressive.
However, we view Disney Springs as likely to reopen before the parks and resorts because it’s mostly third party tenants that are frequented by locals. There’s far less cost to Walt Disney World in allowing these restaurants to reopen, and some upside. Disney Springs would offer a ‘proof of concept’ venue to see how some of the modified operational protocol might play out, as well as observing guest demand and behavior trends.
The Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force has kicked things into high gear, with meetings held yesterday by its four subgroups covering a range of topics. Of pertinent interest to Walt Disney World fans is the Guidelines for Reopening Businesses Group, which includes leaders from Disney, Universal, and other Central Florida hospitality businesses.
The group met yesterday, and heard from local health care officials for guidance and best practices. The health care recommendations included the wearing of face masks by all employees and guests, continued social distancing, testing for symptomatic individuals, proper hand hygiene, surface sanitization, and temperature checks for all employees and guests.
Some of these best practices were well received and meshed with tentative guidelines and mandates for theme parks, restaurants, and hotels released the previous day by the group. However, there were concerns about the feasibility of temperature checks and face masks for all guests in addition to employees.
The temperature checks appear to be the biggest point of contention, and officials with the Florida Department of Health have likewise called into question their efficacy and practicality. Given all of that, it seems likely this will be left to the discretion of Walt Disney World and other theme parks.
Speaking of leaving discretion to Disney, that was another topic of the virtual meeting. Following comments the previous day from Thomas Mazloum, SVP of Walt Disney World Resorts & Transportation, the task force expressed its intent to grant greater leniency and deference to Disney, Universal, and other complex venues in determining their own best practices.
The consensus seemed to be that Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are more like “self-contained cities” that are best situated to internally determine their own level of safe capacities throughout the various phases, consistent with CDC guidelines. Mayor Demings and others on the call expressed that Disney and others will be judged on potential guests’ perceptions of safety and driven by opinions on social media and elsewhere.
This might sound like Disney and Universal are receiving an exemption to not follow the guidelines and mandates, it’s probably better construed as autonomy to reopen components in phases and develop higher standards. Safety is part of Disney’s brand, and they’re much more likely than a mom and pop shop to be excoriated online if consumers are dissatisfied with their approach.
In other words, the stakes are higher for Disney than most businesses. They have a corporate responsibility to protect guests and Cast Members, and are reputationally behooved to do so. As such, the ultimate OC Task Force guidelines and mandates will be instructive, but not conclusive in terms of what Disney does. They’re more likely to be a floor than a ceiling on safety measures. At least, that’s our hope.
Walt Disney World is sending out emails to guests with stays scheduled between May 17 and May 23, 2020 as a notification that their reservations will be cancelled. The email presents recourse in terms of processing refunds due, what’s nonrefundable, and typical stuff you’ve probably already seen. It also presents the Free Dining Recovery Deal as an option for future bookings (details unchanged since it was announced).
This is unsurprising, and it’s safe to assume that in a week or two, reservations through May 31, 2020 will be cancelled. Disney has been taking the rolling approach so as to not overwhelm its call centers with cancellations. The big question at this point is whether reservations for June 1, 2020 and beyond will be next to get cut. That was Walt Disney World’s initial target reopening, and the start date for the recovery deal and when rebookings began.
While a lot remains unknown, it’s fairly clear that the process to reopen will be longer and more drawn out that the closure period. June is now just one full month away, and if even some of the hotels will be operating by that date, the wheels on that need to start slowly turning in the next couple of weeks. We should know whether June 1 is plausible sooner rather than later.
Finally, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly recently gave an interview in which he said that air traffic levels are next to zero at this point, and that “a lot of things are going to have to happen for the country to come back to life, much less air travel.”
When asked what needs to happen for people to travel again, Kelly said that people need to feel safe and “they need to have something to be able to do when they get there. So Disney World needs to open back up.”
Walt Disney World is a superstar in Central Florida, providing the ‘sunlight’ to support a range of smaller businesses and hundreds of thousands of local employees. However, Southwest is far from a small business on I-Drive–this statement really underscores just how instrumental Disney is to the other businesses in its orbit, including a ‘planet’ like a major airline. If you’re wondering why so many people are anxiously awaiting any and all news about Walt Disney World’s potential reopening, look no further than that statement by Southwest’s CEO.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of Phase One of Florida’s reopening plan? What about Orange County granting more discretion to the major theme parks? Do you expect Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort to go above and beyond what’s required here? Thoughts on Southwest CEO’s comments? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
A literal question- can Disney reopen resorts so long as the governors indefinite mandate against short term vacation rentals stands? I wonder if then Disney might not consider reopening for package reservations until phase 3 of reopening? Maybe parks only at limited capacity, leading back to Toms original concept that Disney will soft open (Stages 1&2) only to Florida residents… or is Disney and Universal exempt from vacation rental mandates?
The short term rental ban has no effect on Disney. It is a discriminatory ban that only effects people that cannot afford to lose rental income. Crowded hotel chains, resorts, and timeshares are all allowed to be open and conduct business as usual.
Oh wow, I had no idea. I assumed it was all vacation rentals. It would make more sense to allow week long house rentals than over night high traffic stats a hotels…. We had a house rented through airbnb in another part of Florida and are fighting to get a refund because we can’t legally come due to state mandates. Some things about virus mandates just don’t seem to make much sense.
Interestingly I did a random search a moment ago for two WDW resorts. A popular travel site and travel forum was reporting that these two WDW resorts ( the ones I randomly chose) would be closed until 7/30/2020 as an alert. Ironically, I could still log in dates and book on several search engines including theirs. We also know Disney is taking reservations. Thus it’s odd indeed to see this alert. I have no idea what it may even mean. Just interesting to note. The airlines are making travel changes (less than 24 hours ago) as well. I imagine that many will not like what they must do to fly. Of course all of us will need to adhere to different rules than in the past. That being said, if truth were told… where I reside (NY), there is risk in every public venture currently. Thus, no matter when Disney opens there will be those who comply and those that don’t as has been in the past. The difference is that perhaps the stakes are higher, at least reportedly so, based on statistics (not a perfect science). In the end, we live in a country where free will is implied and practiced by many. Many freedoms were afforded us thanks to our forefathers, families, hard working men and women/children, religious and civil leaders etc. We are not accustom to being restricted at this current level. My concern is for the many who have lost so much whether loved ones to illness, business due to closure, jobs due to stay at home orders, education due to absence… the weak, poor and homeless even more vulnerable than ever before and the list continues. History has taught us a great deal. We still, as social and curious creatures have a great deal more to learn. I try not to criticize those who offer well meaning information and advice. If their intent is good, I take no issue with their deference to my own opinion. I do believe that should we not begin to venture toward a new normal, fear will begin to dictate our freedoms. Thus, some “risk” needed to happen historically for change to take place and must so now to move forward. It’s going to be how much risk “we” collectively and individually wish to take. We have had success with risk and sometimes not. However we cannot just stand still!
The Disney park experience has been way too many people.
They should open in Ju e with 50% capacity & leave it that way for a year or two.
You’d be surprised how easy social distancing would be.
100% agree. I love WDW but they are way way too crowded, even if a pandemic is not a concern. On top of the severe crowding, you have to touch so many things in WDW…..the fingerprint part at the entrance is a start, and I wish they’d get rid of this. Thousands of people in a row, all day long, touching the same finger pad with no hand sanitizer nearby.
Hey Tom. I really enjoy reading the information you provide. I especially love the comments section and all of the different views of your followers. My thought is and has been for weeks that Disney will not open until 2021. Now that a potential vaccine could be available by January makes more sense on a opening date. Many people continue stating they are okay with visiting the parks with limited restrictions. That is great for them, but maybe the cast members do not share the same views. Mask should be required. Maybe that is why Disney is now selling them? From a financial standpoint I believe it will cost Disney more money to reopen the parks with needed restrictions than waiting till 2021 and vaccine.
I’m grateful to you, Tom for every drop of Disney that you give me to fill my void. I’m so happy I subscribed. Please keep any and all updates coming to we, the Disney starved. I want to go back the day they open, but my 16 yr old daughter and 29 year son talked me out of it. Imagine that. We are booking a trip for the week of September 9th 2021. Until then, you are my favorite “Cast Member”.
I second that. Your blog has been a welcome reprieve. I appreciate the honesty of your assessments regarding reopening, and love that you continue to bring a Disney magic to my inbox.
I have to agree with Wendy. There are many of us that are not scared of this virus and believe that the media blew this way out of preportion. There are always going to be illnesses and desiese out their there. I hope Disney and everything opens because I truly feel people will come. I would recommend maybe starting at 50% capacity which help but anything beyond that is not nessisary. Staff and guests will not come if they have to wear masks in 90-100 degree weather. Could you imagine? I have our trip planned for late late summer and I am hopeful they open.
I am waiting, and I hope Disney is too, to see if infections spike after these initial small business openings. I would prefer to wait than to take the risk. How magical would it be for grandchildren who lose their grandparents to this virus just because they “had” to go to Disney. I love Disney, but I would rather feel safe than anxious.
I had hoped to visit Disney for a second time in 2020 at Halloween. I am trying to be hopeful, but realistic enough to realize that this decision may be out of my hands. I am Canadian. I cannot control the border opening, I cannot control which states will allow non US residents to stay in their hotels, and I cannot control how Florida and DisneyWorld will welcome visitors. All I can do is keep hoping for a positive outcome for everyone.
@Dana Hills
masks are very effective if you wear the proper mask properly. All of this knowledge is available online. I suggest you use your smartphone to be smart rather than just looking at social media. I have worn N95 masks in nuclear power plants and emergency rooms.
Feel free to do whatever it is you want to do.
I saw that Toledo Steakhouse is advertising a Mother’s Day Brunch for May 10th on their menu, so they are planning on being open.
There were no cases from the Disney Parks being open when the virus started. I think we should be allowed to stand closer than 6 feet. Disney should go about their business as usual. If someone is afraid, they shouldn’t come. I agree with the standards to keep things cleaner but Disney is already so clean. I don’t think guests should have to wear masks. If they don’t feel good, stay home. There are so many things that we can die from, get sick from, etc. Life needs to go on. Hard to eat, drink, breathe, (in hot weather) wearing a mask. Disney needs to keep the magic with the fireworks and other shows. The travel industry has been hit hard. Let’s get it going again. DON’T GO IF YOU ARE AFRIAD. Let the rest of us go on and enjoy our life.
Wendy, you are 100% correct.
It’s not our decision. Our opinion is only relevant as far as deciding whether/when we will go, whatever Disney decides.
We understand it is not our decision. Only giving an opinion on how we feel. If everyone felt the same way, looked the same way, liked the same things, what a dull world this would be. .
Completely agree!
The problem with this solution though is that the cast members will be exposed to thousands of people who “aren’t afraid”.
The people travelling to Disney World could bring the virus with them and infect people who then take the virus back to their home.
It’s not as simple as saying that scared people should stay at home.
Cast members also have the free will to continue to work there or someplace else. Think of all the doctors and healthcare people that have continued to work.
Saying someone has free will not to return to work is truly selfish. Ppl in the medical field signed up to be around the sick, a Disney worker did not. I am a first responder, I signed up for that, I shouldn’t have to change my job to avoid a virus. Taking proper precautions till there is a level of herd immunity isn’t unrealistic. The general public has free will not to go to an amusement park if they don’t want to follow the rules in place.
Addressed to Wendy (below) – It is one thing to continue to work in order to contribute to defeating the virus and something else completely to have to “choose” to work to enable the satisfaction of someone’s entertainment “needs”!
Agree 100%. As a nurse, I am not interested in caring for individuals that refuse to follow the advice of professionals and ultimately end up contracting a virus due to blatant disregard. I am confident Disney will make decisions based on the advice of qualified professionals, protecting both their guests AND staff.
I agree with you Wendy.
Me too.
Janice, and Kelly, so you are actually saying that anyone at a grocery store , hair dressers, restaurant workers, US Post Office, and all the rest of the people that have had to work with the community, should not work because it is one thing to help someone who got sick or hurt, from anything else. So, if someone has the flu, a grocery store worker gets it, gives it to their parent or someone else, they get pneumonia, you as a nurse or health care worker have to treat them,, you are fine with that. If someone is enjoying themselves on a vacation, no matter where it is, or at a ballgame, movie, concert, any other entertainment venue, you are not interested in caring for them. This entire world, anyone can get sick, hurt, be in an airplane crash, etc. and the employers who employee those people are in the wrong or people should not have been doing that? Life is a risk everyday. My son was killed in a snowboarding accident at 28 years old. It has been hell without him. Do I think or feel like it was the ski area’s fault or that no one should ever go skiing again? Do I appreciate the Flight for Life medical staff that did all they could to save him. I do and thanked them, hugged them. Was it the employers fault of all the businesses in the twin towers for the people that lost their life that day? Did the entire world stop for months after? No, things change, we do things different, but we pick up and go on because all of life is a risk. Mass killings in malls and theaters. Do we all stop living and the economy crashes, we go into a depression . Than what? Everyone has a right to their opinion. I respect yours. I just feel bad that you would not feel like you would want to help someone that got sick when a business opens up when there has been a tragedy that wasn’t their fault in the first place. Life is full of choices all which have consequences. We have the free will to chose what we are willing to risk. If I was there, contracted the virus, I would not blame anyone. It was the choice I made to have a few days of enjoyment in a life filled with hardship, sadness, and joys every day.
@Wendy Burns
We have also learned much more about the virus in the past weeks. At first we were going by models that have since been shown to be inaccurate by factors of 50 to 80.
We now know that hospitalization levels of patients below 60 are very low, and that, although very contagious, data based mortality rates are at less 1 percent. The target demographic for this disease is approximately 70 and above. Per the Swedish model, which is the one that W.H.O. is now touting, what we should be doing is isolating the elderly, which is me BTW, and allowing younger people to return to work and develop herd immunity.
What concerns me more is that those politicians in charge of instituting the draconian shutdown policies are acting as if nothing has changed, as if we have learned nothing! Meanwhile, with a few exceptions, hospitals have plenty of beds and ICU equipment open. Some are even going bankrupt because they cannot resume “elective” surgeries, such as those for cancer, joint replacement etc.
I also agree with Wendy. The economy is ill. If we don’t get back to living, the economy will die and then, it won’t matter if we catch the virus.
Danielle, there are various risks with various professions. Each person has the right to pick and choose which level of risk is proper for them. If a nurse has the attitude of not wanting to help someone who is ill because the patient caught it living and enjoying life, maybe that nurse should not be a nurse. It takes a caring and loving person to be a “good” nurse. There is always risk in the healthcare field. Judging people’s worth because of how they caught a virus, is not the heart of a “good” nurse.
WHERE ARE YOU GETTING YOUR INFORMATION THAT “THERE WERE NO CASES FROM THE DISNEY PARKS BEING OPEN WHEN THE VIRUS STARTED”?
Cindy, I don’t remember exactly. Could have been from this vlog, or DFB, or one of the news stations. I remember thinking, yay Disney, They keep their parks so clean and it is out in the open air. Everyone is having fun. Might have been from one of the Governor’s news conferences. I live in Colorado.
I don’t know what state your from but I am from NJ and things are terrible here. I can tell you of three people that I know of that have passed away. Two of them were nurses try to help people. I don’t think this is an issue of civil liberties for an individual, but Of being a responsible citizen and I feel that My responsibility as a citizen of my town my county and my state is to follow the guidelines set forward. It will help keep the hospitals from being at full capacity which will help my community. It will make it safer for people that are more vulnerable to the disease.
Hello! While in theory, I think it sounds good to do temperature checks on patrons, logistically it’s going to be a nightmare. Because what happens if you have, say, a family of four, and one person is considered febrile? They aren’t allowed inside the park? Do they get reimbursed the money that was spent on that ticket? And how will the rest of the family feel going to the park all day, while their one family member misses out? Does the entire family leave? They have been in close contact, and have all been exposed. Does Disney reimburse the whole family the money for their tickets? And God forbid you should have to be the cast member that tells someone they aren’t allowed in the parks because they are outside the acceptable temperature range. Sounds like a fight waiting to happen! I don’t think any family wants to spend the amount of money that we do on a Disney vacation, to possibly be turned away at the gate. I would think that could be enough to make an entire family say, “I’m never returning to WDW again!” Maybe waiting a little while longer to open isn’t such a bad idea…?
Excellent point…I can see it now. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen in the parks that don’t understand their dining plan and take it out on the poor girl/boy working in the quick service places thinking they should get anything and everything they order covered by their dining plan because they’re on the “dining plan”. Imagine telling these same individuals they can’t enter because they’re symptomatic! I feel this is exactly why there should be strong guidelines if you are symptomatic. Bottom line is we cannot rely on others to always make the best decision when it comes to their health and how it impacts others around them because some people SIMPLY DON’T CARE. They will want to enter the park sick or not. I don’t think Disney wants or can afford the possibility of a tarnished reputation and image if an outbreak is traced back to a park. Not to mention the healthcare costs to the company if there’s an outbreak in the employee force, then there’s additional closures, false starts, etc. Better safe than sorry is my opinion.
So not one business should be open because someone getting sick could be traced back to it???? No grocery stores, no Post Office, no hospitals? The problem is people want to blame everything on someone else instead of taking the responsibility. You go anywhere, you risk getting something or dying. We still need to continue to live.
Good point, Ash. Everyone is looking at this as something that is the same as something else. We need to be careful. How many of us walk outside in our neighborhood during a tornado and say “hey, the last one only killed two people, we’ll be fine”. CPR has a small percentage of being successful, yet I’ve never come across anyone who says to stop because it won’t matter. We need to look out for one another. I would rather be briefly inconvenienced than purposely put someone’s life at risk just because I may not agree with it.
Debbie downer alert!
I’ve been thinking parades, fireworks, small stores, etc. will be gone forever. There’s no way social distancing can take place with those venues. Imagine Main Street after the fireworks or standing shoulder to shoulder for a parade?!
So then what? Prices won’t go down, we get less for potentially more money out the door? Oh to be a fly on the wall at a Disney EXEC. meeting!
We get to ride the Dwarf Mine train three or six times in one day.
Include other E Ticket rides with that.
Sounds like a plan.
How does Disney expect people to pay high prices for park tickets, on-site resorts, etc. when the parks may be limited to 50% and then 75% occupation, perhaps no fireworks or parades, limited restaurant reservations, limited number of people in hotel pools, slower ride fulfillments as everyone needs to be six feet apart in order to load each ride and on and on? This is a very expensive vacation and to tell your kids they have limited abilities to do anything but have their parents pay the price, that’s just outrageous.
Sorry dude… you have a choice as an adult and a parent. Delay the trip and wait or deal with the guidelines that this PRIVATE business puts into place along with CDC guidelines. Tom stated clearly at the beginning of this post essentially, “ wait until Disney announces an opening.” It is only outrageous is you pay the prices. If you don’t want to pay, pick a different vacation.
Yep Disney is expensive. The guidelines for cancellation are very liberal right now. Exercise the option.
David, I agree with you. Problem is, all of the people who are “ate up” with all things Disney, as well as all of the people with more money than brains, are going to pay any amount of money to get in. And Disney knows this. Until we “ALL”stand together, and say “LOWER YOUR PRICES “, nothing will change.
The prices will continue to increase because of demand. As DVC members, we get annual passes and go in The off season. We also use Tables in Wonderland for dining.
Yep it’s expensive.
Everyone has a choice as to where their $$‘s go… if people don’t like to pay Disney prices no one forces them to spend at Disney.
Apple… $1K for a phone… choices.
I’ve heard this mentioned and I don’t get it. The parks being at only 50% capacity and the same with restaurants…would be a godsend. Could you imagine going to WDW in the summer during peak travel time and having a park without having to fight the crowds? Fewer people at the waterparks, parks, restaurants, pools, buses…sounds pretty amazing to me.
No cooling vests unfortunately 🙂 Sets in the summer are either 30 mins on, 30 off, or 20 on 40 off, depending on the location and how hot it is. Also they try to keep the furry characters inside as much as possible. Let’s just say that most friends of characters change their t-shirts/shorts underneath after every set!
Dana:
CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States. We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity–for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing–even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
Instead of just calling it fear, call it common sense and concern for someone other than yourself.
Disney World isn’t a Constitutional right. It’s a theme park or better known as a privilege. If Disney stipulates you must wear a mask to come to their parks, then don’t go. I am also against the forever wearing of masks however the majority of this country needs to get a lesson in “freedoms” afforded to them versus their rights being infringed upon. Especially when it pertains to private property or amusement parks for that.
At some point in the near future a lot of people are going to have to realize that this isn’t going away for a long time and we are going to have to make some hard choices, either stay at home until there is a vaccine or take some calculated risk and get back to life.What we are currently doing is not a viable long term option and I think it is absurd that it has gone in this long ,obviously we don’t want people to die but millions of people are losing everything in order to protect a relatively small amount of the population. If people dont like how I feel about this issue I really dont care the needs of the many need to outweigh the needs of the few and I am not only talking about WDW people are losing their homes ,businesses and life savings and the current protocols are only delaying the inevitable. In normal circumstances we quarantine the sick not the entire population of the World not to mention over 50 %of deaths are in retirement homes so I say open things up sooner rather than later because hoe long do you think Americans will sit by while they lose everything the worked their entire lives for?
I totally agree with you Christopher.
Right on target, Christopher
Your hyperbole not withstanding: That means 50% are not, a slow rollout is better, we all have a lot to lose, but our actual lives is pretty much it. Also, I have been frustrated with folks suggesting that anyone living in senior housing is expendable. We’re all valuable and we’re all in this together. BTW: There’s no guarantee that someone younger is immune to death from this virus—many people under 65 (often described as healthy) have suffered and died from this. It’s all for naught if we just race to open everything up without some protocols in place (asymptomatic people can transfer this virus as well). To quote a different sci-fi film: … “you would destroy all for which they have fought and suffered”.
I couldn’t agree more. This isn’t going away any time soon and we are going to have to learn to live with it without hiding away in our homes and the economy tanking. Plus many experts have said because of that point we need to build up herd immunity. The fact is there may never be a vaccine for this. We need to open up, get back to as normal as possible because this may be the new normal. As I’ve stated prior, tests have shown this virus in direct sunlight, and heat only lasts for about 1.5 minutes. In an environment of about 75° with humidity…about 1 hr. So WDW might just be the safest place one can be during this outbreak.
Dana, I heartily agree with you!!!
Wolverine is incorrect:
CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional,
My husband and I have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the updates, Tom. Thank you! Ohioans really get into our daily briefings from the governor (often called “Wine with DeWine”), and our household gets into the WDW re-opening updates almost as much! (We haven’t resorted to “Liquor with Bricker,” but… never say never lol.) Anyway, just wanted to throw out a little positivity and gratitude; we both really appreciate the measured, level-headed tone you take with these. Keep up the good work!
This made me laugh out loud
My trip is at the same time. I fully agree with you.