Will Disney World Stay Closed Until 2021?
“Will Walt Disney World reopen before 2021?” and “will the parks stay closed through summer/Halloween/Christmas/[insert month, year or specific date]?” have become increasingly common thanks to one already infamous expert opinion.
With so much uncertainty in the air about when Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and the resort hotels will reopen, these questions are unsurprising. Accordingly, we’ve been doing an ongoing speculative series that attempts to offer balance, nuance, and our best guesses with all things considered. To recap, here are questions what we’ve 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?
Previously, the common question we were receiving was “when will Walt Disney World reopen?” Due to recent commentary from Swiss bank UBS analyst John Hodulik that has gained traction in the Disney fan community, there has been rampant speculation and fear-mongering that Walt Disney World will not reopen until 2021. In large part, this post serves to rebut and contextualize that…
However, we first want to emphasis the speculative nature of this post. We do not own a (working) crystal ball nor have we consulted Nostradamus about this particular matter. While we’ve been asked these questions a lot in the last month-plus, the reality is that we don’t have a credible answer as to how long Walt Disney World will remain closed or when the parks will reopen.
The reality is also that literally no one does. Not any third party bloggers or vloggers. Not any Cast Member friends you might have, bus drivers or otherwise. Not even senior leadership at Walt Disney World or Disneyland. This is an unprecedented and constantly evolving situation. Our collective knowledge tomorrow will differ from what we know today–and next week it’ll be totally different.
Disney is scrambling to get ahead of this and is developing a range of tentative plans for modified operations, but the key word there is “tentative” (and also “range of,” meaning that several potential plans are being developed). Even Bob Iger’s controversial statements were only possibilities, and not procedures that definitely will be used when it comes to the future of the parks.
Another category of individuals who are taking stabs at when and how the theme parks might reopen are analysts. These individuals typically have no expertise in theme park operations, but instead understand the financial contours of the Walt Disney Company and its many business units.
There have been numerous predictions and forecasts of when Walt Disney World will reopen from respected financial experts, most ranging from June through October. None of these have gained traction in the Disney fan community because they’re more wonkish and less salacious.
As contrasted with the more moderate predictions, the 2021 date has been shared widely because it’s more controversial and attention grabbing. In this increasingly polarized environment, it vindicates those who believe shutdowns should last longer and enrages those who think we should reopen the economy ASAP. It’s being spread by those nodding in agreement and hate-shared by those who it upsets.
We’ve read or heard at least a half dozen predictions from analysts over the course of the last month, but didn’t feel a single one merited reporting on, just as we haven’t reported on the guesses of random friends and neighbors. Frankly, this one does not merit a blog post, either. Unfortunately, we’ve received a lot of confused and concerned questions from readers about it, so thought we’d clarify and contextualize this to the extent we can.
One of the things I’ve learned in following financial analysts is that you can validate your own preconceived notions, economic outlook, and general worldview–no matter what they may be–if that’s what you’re seeking to do. The Great Recession vindicated doom and gloom pundits, turning them into veritable celebrities and giving rise to a lucrative market for dire prognosticators who want to repeat that and star in The Big Short 2. The more extreme, the more likely the soundbite will be shared far and wide.
In a sense, there are actually some parallels to Disney fandom–polarization plays well, and anyone can find material that supports extreme positions that Disney has never been better or worse. This is almost akin to the intersection of these two things. Optimistic that parks will reopen June 1? Analysts support you! Skeptical and thinking they should stay closed until 2021? An analyst supports you!
With that preface out of the way, this prediction comes from UBS analyst John Hodulik, who offered it in his “Eye of the Storm” investor note. This memo served as his justification for downgrading the Walt Disney Company’s stock from buy to neutral, and cutting his price target on TWDC’s stock to $114 from $162.
This is predicated upon a bleak outlook for every single one of Disney’s business units save for Disney+, with a particular emphasis on troubles facing theme parks and live sports. In addition to Walt Disney World and Disneyland not reopening until 2021, Hodulik also believes that there are real risks to the fall sport seasons (while failing to acknowledge that ESPN would be well-positioned if sports do resume without spectators).
With regard to theme parks, Hodulik’s expectation is that “economic recession plus the need for social distancing, new health precautions, the lack of travel and crowd aversion are likely to make this business less profitable until there is a widely available vaccine.” That does not mean the parks won’t reopen until 2021, just that they won’t be as profitable once they do reopen.
MarketWatch’s FactSet tracks 27 analysts who cover the Walt Disney Company’s stock, and 18 rate it a buy and 9 rate it a hold. The average price target is $129.96, which is actually 26% above recent levels. In other words, Hodulik is objectively pessimistic on Disney as compared to other experts.
There is no disputing the assessment that Disney faces a lot of pressure right now and for the foreseeable future. The film business, live sports, media production, and theme parks all face uphill challenges. My perspective is also fairly pessimistic on Disney’s financial outlook, but for me the conclusion is different. I think that Disney will be more aggressive in attempting to bounce back, as the company’s future viability is on the line.
Even though summer is no longer peak season at Walt Disney World, it is still Florida’s prime tourist season. The resorts have offered numerous deals for the summer months, including Free Dining and the Fun & Sun discount. More recently, Walt Disney World started accepting reservations for June 1, 2020 or later. Likewise, the Free Dining Recovery Deal begins June 1, 2020 and runs through September.
Beyond that, Shanghai Disneyland is currently going through the motions of trial operations with test guests to practice social distancing, guest entry, and other aspects of modified operations. If this goes as anticipated, the park will reopen before having been closed 100 days. A similar timeline would put the reopening of Walt Disney World right around early June 2020.
Further supporting this is Governor Ron DeSantis’ Reopen Florida Task Force, which has an Industry Working Group subcommittee to determine how and when to reopen parks and other attractions in the Sunshine State. We covered these discussions and tentative possibilities at length in Potential Plans for Walt Disney World Phased Reopening.
It’s noteworthy that the Reopen Florida Task Force has not released a timeline for reopening theme parks, nor have Universal or Walt Disney World expressed their goals. However, in listening to press conferences by Governor DeSantis on the matter, who has stated that “the curve has been flattened in Florida,” it’s fairly clear that he wants to start the process of reopening the state. (To that point, on Sunday he said: “we’re gonna make an announcement pretty soon.”)
Between Florida wanting to begin reopening its battered, tourism-dependent economy and the Walt Disney Company wanting viable business units that are not the Disney+ streaming service, the 2021 prediction does not seem particularly plausible. From our perspective, a date closer to June 1, 2020 seems much more likely than one closer to January 1, 2021.
Suffice to say, there is more than ample reason to believe that both Disney and Florida want to be back in business by summer, and take advantage of whatever pent-up demand might exist then. Missing the more lucrative summer, Halloween, and Christmas tourist seasons to instead open for the January off-season doesn’t pass the smell test when considering the internal targets of both Disney and Florida. However, perhaps something will change again and so too will those internal targets.
None of this is to say that we think Walt Disney World should reopen this summer or stay closed until January 1, 2021. This is arm’s length analysis about what we perceive is most likely to occur, not what we ourselves want. This is truly a complex and multifarious problem, and total harm reduction modeling will need to be utilized. Neither of us are so deluded as to believe we have all of the answers or even a fraction of the information necessary to dictate what “should” happen.
We’d likewise encourage humility from everyone thinking about commenting below. Rather than condescendingly assuming you have the one valid perspective, have empathy. People are understandably worried about their health, both physical and economic. Try to put yourselves in the shoes of others who may be justified in their divergent perspectives. Those who tout themselves as the smartest person in the room seldom are, and never are viewed as such by the room’s other occupants.
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 reopen by June 2020? If not, what’s your predicted date/month? Think the UBS analyst’s prediction is plausible? Keep comments respectful, apolitical, and on topic. Anything not following these requirements will be removed.
I don’t know how anyone would ever be able to prove that they contracted a virus of any kind at a Disney park or Resort since everyone travels there by some means and could be exposed to something long before reaching a Disney park or resort.
I really want Disney Parks to reopen but I personally may not go back right away. It would just depend on what restrictions are in place in order for guests to visit. I will never consent to receiving a vaccine for this just like I’ve never had a flu shot and so if that were to become a requirement to travel or participate in any large gathering, I suppose my family will never go back and that would be heartbreaking.
If the parks reopen and people don’t come, then I have to wonder how much money they’d still continue to lose because then they’d be paying salaries again and have tremendous food costs that could easily be wasted. It’s so hard to know what’s best for the entire operation and it hurts my heart for those that have the enormous responsibility of sorting it all out. I am hopeful, however, that we will one day enjoy the magic that those parks hold and continue to make memories in what is still the happiest place on Earth!
Go at your own risk just like you go everywhere else at your own risk. Your choice to wear PPE. Realistically, cast members aren’t going to sit home and do nothing until 2021. They need a job to pay mortgages, rent, bills, etc etc like everyone else. DISNEY most likely won’t risk losing 100k plus talented cast members once all the ban is lifted and all other businesses reopen. As a Florida resident & Annual Passholder, I would love to enjoy the attractions we seldom experience. A phased approach for domestic guests is very appealing to me and would be manageable I would think. Like several people indicated, they’re not going to spend a small fortune flying internationally to DISNEY and risk their lives. There has to be a compromise without making everything a liability. DISNEY can only do so much to keep their parks, etc reasonably sanitized. It’s a matter of personal CHOICE. Thank you for the opportunity to feedback.
@MammaMia
Of course there will be a compromise and a gradual opening. And I’m sure the character hugging will be curtailed if not eliminated for some time to come.
I certainly wouldn’t blame anyone who doesn’t want to spend the money on a partially opened venue, but sadly that will probably be the choice for awhile.
We will all have choices to make, cast and patrons alike. We will be presented with facts surrounding the reopening and then we will make choices based on those facts and our comfort level with them. It’s very simple really, If we are comfortable with them we will go. If not, we’ll wait until we are.
Good post. People forget that there are no guarantees or certainties in life. If a person wants to make sure that he or she NEVER gets sick, stay home, alone. That ought to be the ultimate protection.
My guess is WDW will open in mid-July. They likely will not want to open at the end of June to be followed by the very busy July 4th holiday period. IMHO, they will want to open during a less busy time so they can work in any new park and crowd rules.
i actually find it very comforting that not opening until 2021 is even out there as a strong idea and possibility for disney, as huge and shocking as it may seem to people. it is reassuring that safety is disney’s biggest consideration here. we are in completely unchartered territory with this situation. and taking all this time, being better safe than sorry is trying for a lot of people. but when the stakes are truly life and death–how can we not take every precaution possible? for the first time we are facing life and death choices that go beyond just the self in these choices. we are making choices now that will greatly affect someone else’s life or death. we’re all responsible for and to each other now. are we ready to really take on such a challenge? i am not sure. maybe because i live in nyc, and have been a first-hand witness to the real destruction this virus has wrought on our city–i am much more inclined for everyone and everything to go slower with all of these major major choices. our stakes could not be higher. the death toll in nyc today is certain to reach over 12,000 deaths. 12,000 deaths! just in nyc! today! 4/27/2020! over roughly a 2 month time period. 12,000 people that were here just this past valentine’s day–who are here no more. staggering. but there it is. we have to behave and change accordingly. i have faith that disney seems to understand the gravity of this situation and are leading with safety first. we owe it to our own safety and to the safety of each other to not take shortcuts on this in any way. and i truly feel we also owe it to all of those folks who don’t have the luxury to consider or to make such choices anymore.
The 2021 date is out there only because some Wall Street prognosticator wanted to justify his own advice on why not to buy Disney stock. It really unfortunately says nothing about Disney’s view on the safety of anyone.
What I like to do is question how do multiple things in a given article reconcile. I’m talking about the analyst. My question: if Disney Parks don’t open until 2021, how do you justify a stock price target of $114?
Since 50% of the guests to WDW are not locals from the Orlando area, and 20% are International, that’s a lot of guests who have to actually make travel plans (book flights, hotels, etc.) rather than just be able to drop by like in Disneyland. Our family is one of those international guests. Without a vaccine, we’re not travelling outside our country as travel insurance will not cover for Covid-19. With Florida being one of those states not taking the virus seriously, it’s too much of a hot zone and we’re not risking going bankrupt from the high US medical cost if we were to get sick. Without a large chunk of their customer base not willing to go to WDW, the economics of opening up the park will be challenging. WDW, might test bookings for hotels to see what the demographics show and if interest is not there, would cancel any opening. I’m with Hodulik on this one “the lack of travel and crowd aversion are likely to make this business less profitable until there is a widely available vaccine.”
Gary – I live in FL – please do not be taken in by what the media is hyping. FL is taking this VERY seriously. While other States are opening up and allowing their beaches to be used, FL is not.
@Glorz
From days of comments on various threads the definition of “taking the virus seriously” is staying locked down until there is a vaccine or a 100% cure. There are three things wrong with this type of position. 1) No vaccine for this virus will be 100 percent effective. This virus has already mutated, some studies suggest as many as 30 variants exist. MAYBE we’ll get something g 70% effective. One only has to look.as similar viruses for which there are vaccines and do some research to verify this. 2) There are now several studies that compare the mortality and hospitalization rates of venues that were locked down with those that took precautions such as masks, distancing. Isolation of hotspots and increased sanitization. Those rates were within margins of error of each other such that there was no significant difference. It is interesting to point out that in those cases schools were not shut down and businesses not closed. 3) The latest reliable mortality figures are 0.09 to 0.1 percent. Much lower than first thought. There is also some question as to the veracity of diagnoses cases. Hospitals get paid more money if a patient is coded for the novel coronavirus, even if they haven’t been tested in some states, multiple fact-checking sites have confirmed this, including USA Today, Politifact, and Snopes. Hospitals get a 20% add-on for COVID-19-coded patients and roughly three times as much if such patients are placed on a ventilator.
All of that said, as one who has lived, worked and vacationed in 65 different countries, I certainly cannot fault a foriegn visitor for not wanting to become ill in another country. It isn’t a pleasant experience. I do, however, take issue with generally criticizing government and others in any country as an excuse for not visiting. If one is afraid of becoming ill that’s fine, but blaming others for that is not.
Jack
As far as criticizing Florida, I imagine that might have something to do with Florida allowing crowds of kids from all over to enjoy their Spring Break on Florida’s beaches. No exaggeration there…
Sir, I live here. My family are all cast members. We take this very seriously, as do most Floridians. Outside of Disney, our restaurants are closed, our beaches are closed, all nonessential businesses are closed and our numbers, for population density and average age like ours, is low. Perhaps you’ve been misinformed, but Floridians take this VERY seriously.
beaches are open. I have seen several videos of people on beaches. Cars parked along streets and people walking to the beach. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2020/04/25/florida-beaches-open-list-reopens-restrictions-hours/3028947001/
I agree 100% as being a resident of Florida. We are all taking the CDC recommendations seriously. Florida was one of the first states to have drive through testing as well and to set up particular hours each morning in stores for anyone over 60 or that has compromised health issues to shop prior to store opening to all public. The media is so good at spinning webs of exaggeration and bordering on lies.
Florida is doing a great job at working with this virus. While other states are reopening our governor has said numerous times that a date isn’t what he’s going by. He’s waiting for the right time which includes the medical communities recommendations. Look at Florida’s numbers and they are by far better than many states with a lower population. I’m grateful each day the way our governor has handled this crisis. Counties with high numbers were locked down faster than those with few or new cases. A very sensible approach.
Gary, your post should be edited to say “perceived high US medical cost” to be more realistic. Yours isn’t any cheaper as you pay far more in taxes up front. Nothing is free. Plus, it’s unlikely you’d get sick while there, as the incubation period is longer than a typical WDW trip.
I also have yet to see any travel insurance that was worthwhile. Too many exceptions where they weasel out of paying.
Floridian here…. We are taking it seriously. We also recognize that economic impact has to be taken into consideration and there is a balance that has to be met.
The cases in Florida are well under the predictions…. We are doing something right.
I hate to say this, but of all the Coronavirus’s in the past none have ever had a vaccine successfully made for them. If you remember it took decades and tons of public support to just conquer polio. If we don’t open things soon it will be too late to salvage Disney or any company
A voice of reason. Thank you.
I really wish they would open it up and let the people that aren’t afraid sign a waiver, and let the people who are stay home, but I know that will never happen.
If they open it up and turn it in to something akin to the new Walmart experience of masks, tape on the ground, with directional arrows, and messages across the speakers every 5 minutes reminding you to social distance, I’ll just stay home and watch my favorite post-apocalyptic movie instead.
I am afraid you still don’t get it. If you wouldn’t spread the virus to people in your community, then I would say you are right but that isn’t the case. If you go to a theme park and get infected, you take that back to your own neighborhood. The doctors and scientists have said over and over again that the worst place to be in this pandemic is a big crowd like sporting events, concerts or crowded tourist attractions like Disney.
Believe me, I want to go too. I have a trip booked for December but think that I will have to cancel it and I am very sad about that but I want to be safe.
The actual scientific data does not support the initial fear and policies that followed. We should not be going off the initial predictive data anymore, but off of actual results. I have a lot more I could say about this, but out of respect for Tom and his request for not posting controversial viewpoints, I will just leave it at that.
Perelandra, That’s great you want them to open. Will this waiver include the cast members? If they get sick, do we get to charge everyone that entered the park more money to cover their medical bills and any bills of their dependents?
Or how about you sign a waiver, and then you have to work the park yourself for a week. Tugging on seatbelts and restraints, or as a princess hugging hundreds of possibly sick people each hour.
Why do so many people here care more about their own entertainment than the health of the cast members?
Mike, I’ve been working 6 days a week, since the beginning of this, often very closely with emergency room staffs, and other medical professions. I would gladly work in the park without fear. I am not afraid. Having said that, I wouldn’t want anyone to work that is afraid to.
We’re scheduled for early June but will postpone. It’s just too much money to spend for a limited experience and of course we want to wait until there’s a vaccine. Really wish we could go but just too many unknowns for travel this year even state to state. I thought I’d burst waiting for this trip – alas I know it’s worth the wait.
I’d like to c these disney boffins open a realistic virtual park, to keep all the impatient people content.
No one is asking will Disney have enough staff to reopen if they leave it too long..they have a lot of immigrants that are planning on going home… retired people not going back…family bread winners finding jobs that are classed as essential…I already see people looking at the thousands of new jobs that have opened up local…will parents let their kids go work there in the college program…Disney is always short staffed…..no one will wait around for a job till 2021..Disney staff will move on…you just have to read Disney staff forums..
Sounds like you’re a bitter person. If you decide to be a giver instead of the taker I think you are, you might appreciate all of the good things Disney does around the world. Without corporate America, you wouldn’t exist! Go have a drink and chill out.
Gerhard, you just made the understatement of the week!
Opening the parks and resorts prior to a vaccine, may bring legal issues if guests come away with the virus. If the parks and resorts open with “separation” rules and limits on number of guests in place, it’s not as simple as screening guests as they enter the parks or resorts. Everything else is impacted, transportation, dining, rides, preparing/sanitizing rooms, walking thru the parks and walking around Disney property, swimming in pools, sun bathing, shopping, etc. If Disney limits these items on your vacation, it won’t be much of a vacation (an expensive at that). I believe pushing the opening to 2021 is a smart choice.
There may never be a vaccine. There is no vaccine for the common cold, SARS … HIV just has a vaccine now, 40 years later, the flu vaccine is hit and miss every year. There is always something out there that can kill us – viruses, bacterial infections, drunk driving, heart attacks, texting while driving, mixing meds with alcohol, overdoes, infections, sepsis, MRSA … the list goes on and on. We run the risk every day of dying, and not just from going outside. People fall in the shower and die of a head injury, and choke to death while eating supper.
A vaccine would be nice, but if it never comes, then what?
@Kinley. There is no HIV vaccine.
There is no winning in this situation and the governor of Florida vs California have very different views. California has already said they expect all concerts etc to be cancelled in the state into 2021. That’s a much smaller crowd than Disney. We had a trip planned for next month which has obviously been cancelled but at this point we aren’t even considering a park trip till late 2021 as the soonest. I’m interested to see how it’s handled on each coast as I have no doubt Disney World will be given the green light to reopen long before Disneyland is.
My reply to it all is much more concerning than WDW. We seem to be concerned about when the park will open? I’m concerned more about what’s going to be left and the costs going forward. First I will say that we are huge Disney fans, with multiple DVC ownerships and are annual pass holders as I’m sure many of you are. We all seem to be concerned about safety! Not making light of the severity of this virus and it’s contagious nature, I’m assuming that by most everything we read that we should all stay home and stay away from everything until a vaccine is produced. Why would anything less be acceptable? This all started in the US with a few cases, so apparently when we open if even a few cases are left, it’ll spread again, right? That is unless there’s a vaccine. As well, and I know that many folks have passed from this virus which is absolutely awful, and I also know that we loose 10s of thousands each year from the flu which we do have a vaccine for? I for one will be cutting my loses as a huge Disney fan if suddenly being magical is going to cut the special events, i.e. the parades, fireworks, caat member interactions, just to name a few. And then I’m sure we’ll be ushered around like cattle looking at everyone like they’re poison. I’m kind of in the camp of getting on with my life and assuming the risks. I’m a little older, feel healthy, and feel that if I do get the virus, I’ll get over it as most everyone does. At least that’s the numbers I’m seeing here in PA. And then let’s talk about the economy aftermath. You can imagine the worst possible scinario regarding the outcome, jobs lost as companies learn to run differently and with less. The debt folks will accumulate because and I say this with the utmost of respect for everyone, but folks haven’t saved properly in preparing to weather this long of a storm. We all have fears and take risks in our lives. Why hasn’t anyone on television been promoting good health and eating foods that build up our immune system in order to fight the virus. No money to be made I guess. What about living a healthier life. Would that help in fighting the virus or should we all be forced in to our homes, stay away from the ones we love, possibly having jobs vanish while we’re waiting, and then eventually when trillions can be made by the magical vaccine, which if it’s no better than the flu shot, will still have the outcome of loosing many of our loved ones. Again my apologies to everyone as I’m not saying I’m for or against opening, I just don’t see any outcome from our current actions that will work other than staying closed up from everything until the health professionals have what they feel is a good solution, but remember one thing, they and the news don’t care at all about the life I live. News is only about a good story and health officials know what they know based on what they’ve been taught. They’d be fine if we all stayed locked up until the problem had been resolved which is really the only solution to a problem that had no solution at this point. My final statement is this, we only have two options, we can open up, or stay locked up until a solution to the virus is developed. Opening with social distancing, wearing masks, and trying to create a sterile environment isn’t really going to be anything Disney can create the magical place we all grew up with. Just imagine wearing that mask is July, and August at the happiest place on Earth all day long
Thank you for this smart, rational perspective. My opinion over both what I think WDW should do and what I feel comfortable doing myself has changed many times, and I’m sure will many more times in the weeks/months ahead. It’s helpful reading your perspective and gives me more to consider. Thank you for continuing to balance your site’s content with variety of topics and for giving us all a chance to experience a little Disney even while we aren’t planning a trip or visiting a park.
I agree with Douglas. I enjoy reading your unbiased reports. I am a Walt Disney World employee & I really miss my Disney Family along with my Real Family (7 of whom) are planning a trip down here to visit my husband and I in June. I would love to treat them to a day or two in the Parks but only if it’s Safe to do so. While I wait like everyone else for my home away from home (The Magic Kingdom) to Reopen I keep praying for a vaccine to be found! I’m a Retired Registered Nurse so I reactivated my Nursing License so I can go back to the bedside & help the Frontline Heroes! So let’s all hope for a little Magic & get our Genieâ€â™‚ï¸ Lamps out & start rubbing them✨✨
I have a vacation coming up in July 7 for Disney ! Do u think Disney world be opened by than ? And what’s my options I have tickets with dates on them
Best article I have read on this subject thus far. Thank you.
Carol, I totally Agree!
I guess my concern would be how they will treat pass holders if they reopen on a limited basis with attraction/dining/ or other limitations… hopefully they will reinitiate the pass holders dates to when the parks are “completely” open
How about the thought – your AP will start again the first time you again enter a park. Lets say when all said and done Disney owes you 90 days. Those 90 days begin the first time you swipe your AP at a Disney park.
Love this line.
“Those who tout themselves as the smartest person in the room seldom are, and never are viewed as such by the room’s other occupants.”
Would Disney reopen the Florida parks if California remains shut down? If Florida’s messaging is that it’s safe, but California’s is that it’s not…it seems like that puts them in a difficult spot. I don’t expect they would reopen until both governors are in alignment…
This is a great question.
While I’m certainly no expert on this, my best guess from several weeks spent doing a significant amount of tea reading is “it depends.” If either park were in New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, I’d say reopending them anytime soon would be unwise. If Florida or California are experiencing diminishing numbers of cases, it may make sense to open, especially since many predictions I’ve read suggest that opening to locals will be the first step in a phased reopening plan.
To be clear, in addition to not being an expert, I’m also wildly non-objective, since we moved our May Caribbean Beach Resort trip to December, and in doing so got an even better deal at Beach Club that was unavailable for the May dates. I’m hoping we get to keep that! 🙂
Virgil, I Hope so too for you & your Family
James, are you at all familiar with how California does things and has been for decades now? The two states are only similar in that they have beaches and Disney parks. That’s about it. There’s no problem with opening WDW first and DL later.
It’s a potential PR problem if Disney has to defend reopening in Florida while California is still under quarantine. The two states may be very different, but the parks themselves are similar enough. If Disney wants to be able to say that WDW is safe to reopen, that will be a lot easier if DLR can reopen at the same time.
Thanks for your newsletter. It has become an important read for us. I am just plain sad about all of this. That’s all I have to say.
We are scheduled at the moment under the free dining promo for September 8(WASNT ever a date I was expecting to travel on but that was the last date I could get away with free dining at the time)
We are ,conservatively, hoping to go for Christmas but the the fact that Christmas party tickets were announced then takin down in a half hour time period is discouraging.
My advice to anyone that was saving up to go, wait until they offer a better deal to return next year, it will be a LONG time before it’s anything like we used to know. If your a family that is local or would go to enjoy food, pools, just being in Fl. Sit tight, rent a car if you fly and maybe consider a side trip to a beach.