Walt Disney World has been closed since mid-March due to coronavirus. The days of being under stay-at-home orders have seemingly hit those who view Orlando and Disney World as their “home” harder than most. As someone who lives here, I can assure you that no one wants your “happy place” to open more than the thousands of cast members who have been sitting at home for the last two months, trying to negotiate Florida’s dysfunctional unemployment system. They also want their work environment to be safe for them, without worry of contracting COVID-19 and returning home and spreading it to their family and friends.
The theme parks in Orlando are each opening on their own timelines, after submitting their reopening plans to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, and then they need to get final approval from the Governor of Florida.
Just last week, the news outlets reported that theme parks were starting to present their reopening plans. That apparently wasn’t good enough for the most rabid Disney fans who wanted their parks open NOW! After all, Universal is opening over a month before Disney is!
The Disney Parks Blog, an official Disney social media entity, has been keeping their fans abreast of the process and changes that have to be made in light of the “new normal.” Here’s one of the responses they got (grammatical errors are theirs, not mine):
Disney has done more than it’s share the “flatten the curve”. You are to be commended.
But it’s time.
Local, State and Federal governments are on board.
Your fiercest theme-park competitor is on board.
And I believe a majority of your loyal fans are on board.Let’s go.
I guess the fact that Disney has more things to plan and implement before reopening doesn’t make any difference to this reader. If the most loyal fans are on board, that’s all that matters and the parks should reopen. Now.
Other guests had problems with Disney saying that guests needed to wear face masks. But seemingly more important to this person was the fact that delaying their trip because of needing to wear masks would cost them more to buy Disney’s Dining Plan.
We have a reservation in July party of 10, rescheduled 3 times now. If we have to wear masks were out. Four people in our party have asthma and they will not be able to do masks. We use inhalers when we’re there under normal circumstances. Sad because not all my family will be able to make it next year. They usually come every other year, and this was the year. We are so saddened if we are not able to make it. Kids are growing up fast and next year that will make all three of my sons kids a adult. That will add additional dollars especially with the dining plan.
On May 28th, Disney announced its plans; the parks would welcome guests as part of a phased reopening starting on July 11th. For someone who’s more worried about the safety of the guests and cast members, the fact that Disney is planning the reopening after a major holiday seemed like a sensible decision.
Disney also announced many changes, some of which I predicted.
From Disney:
Upon reopening, theme parks, Disney Resort hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences and other offerings may be modified and will be limited in capacity and subject to limited availability or closure, based on direction from health experts and government officials to promote physical distancing.
Additionally, attractions, experiences (such as shows, parades and fireworks), services and amenities may have limited availability or may remain closed. We will provide more information as it becomes available
Unfortunately, it seems that anything less than opening the parks in precisely the same way as before coronavirus (and, I guess curing everyone upon entry to make that possible?) would be unacceptable to some guests. I have some news for those people; that’s not going to happen. Welcome to the second half of 2020.
To that end, some people wanted Disney to reduce ticket prices because of their limited experiences.
If Disney if reducing the experience they should be reducing our ticket prices being that there will be no meet and greets, parades or fireworks or Extra Magic Hours, and no park hopping. That is a hugh part of the Disney experience.
Or to not have to pay as much for their Disney hotel stay.
I find it very hard to justify the very expensive cost of a family trip to Disney without being able to enjoy the full experience of the parks. I assume those with reservations will be offered a discount on their existing book rates?
And for this comment, I just can’t even:
I understand all the world has been going through. But I also know magic keeps us some of us alive during these trial times…and thats only the magic of Disney. I cannot imagine the high responsibility on everybody’s health…and I’m thankful for that, but in a world full of craziness I am in hunger to go back to my happy place, the house of the mouse for pixie dust to continue my journey towards my happily ever after.
I know most people who love Disney World understand the new world we all live in and are willing to make concessions to get a taste of “Disney magic” again. Sure, there may not be parades, meet and greets with characters or fireworks for a while but you need to give things time.
But even when Disney tries to do things to bring a bit of that Disney magic to its Disney Springs shopping and dining area, which is currently open, some people aren’t able to be happy.
The Stormtroopers have taken residence on a balcony to enforce social distancing, face coverings and unveil the might of the First Order.
Some guests had to comment about how their presence didn’t make any sense at Disney Springs (the area isn’t themed to Star Wars) or if the bad guys are telling us to distance and cover our faces, shouldn’t we not want to listen to them?
#facepalm. This is why we can’t have nice things.
#stayhealthy #staysafe #washyourhands
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
6 comments
If you are to upset to follow Disneys rules of safety, you are not in the right mindset to go to theme park. If your asthma is that severe, you are in a high risk group and should still be remaining at home and avoiding groups.
I am currently a cast member as well as an annual Passholder and am very disheartened by all the negative comments made by people who profess to love Disney and all its magic. Disney is doing all it can to make the parks and hotels safe for guests to return. They also have to comply with state and county regulations in order to be given the go ahead to reopen, so many of the things you are “blaming” Disney for are rules they must follow so reopening can occur. They are not doing this to punish people or deprive them of the full experience, but they want everyone to stay safe and healthy. If you or your family members can’t or won’t wear masks, wait until that restriction is lifted. If you don’t want to pay full price for a reduced experience, wait until all the experiences return. As a CM, I want and need to be safe for my family. You should want the same for your family. The Disney magic will be there when they reopen and when you decide to return. Give them credit for doing all they can to make it fun…and safe…and stop criticizing
Sharon – any idea how Disney will handle the mysterious gigantic surge of people who suddenly will have developed “breathing disorders”?
Sounds like Disney can add grammar and spelling classes as part of their “magic”. I’m not even going to comment on the utter stupidity and unabashed consumerism of the average tourist. Just sad.
Massive theme Parks should not reopen at all. Parks are by definition nonessential and Major incubators for the spread of disease. Short of testing all patrons before entry, There is no safe way to reopen given the proximity of patrons who will then fly back to their home towns to spread the disease (just as we saw with ski resorts in Italy and Colorado).
People just need to accept that they can’t do some things this year. My kids can’t go to sleep away camp. I can’t take the family to Hawaii or Mexico. Deal with it and visit a national park instead.
If you want the “normal” Disney experience then wait until next year, The world is not going to drop all precautions to accommodate your need to be entertained and pretend that nothing has happened.
I guarantee class action suits be coming against places opening too early and not taking enough precautions. And on behalf of those that have a less than ideal experience.