Apparently Disney isn't even aware they can allow vaccinated out-of-state visitors

[brentm77]

I just had a very discouraging conversation with the "Executive Response Team" at Disney after emailing one of the executives about allowing out-of-state guests who are vaccinated.

Her opening line was "the state doesn't allow us to open to out-of-state guests at this time," and they didn't have an expected time because the state would need to change the guidelines first. I very politely explained that it didn't sound like she had up-to-date information, because the guidelines had changed and they could now allow fully vaccinated out-of-state guests. She responded that no theme parks in California were doing that yet. I respectfully said that Universal and other theme parks had already changed their guidelines, allowing out of state guests (via tickets bought at the front gate). She said she just got off a call this morning with Universal and they do not allow that. I asked her, very politely, to please just Google "Universal" and "out-of-state" and she can read numerous reports, and even read it from Universal's own release. I also asked her to please look at the guidelines again, because it was reported in all major California newspapers that it had changed and it is right in the guidelines. She responded that she doesn't know if other theme parks were making their own rules, but the state hadn't changed its guidelines. She was absolutely adamant and wouldn't even consider that she was wrong about current guidelines. She implied she was involved with some team that consults with other theme parks about best practices too.

To say I am shocked that this is Disney's official position, is an understatement. I can't imagine they don't know better and someone isn't look at this issue. But, I am honestly now concerned that they aren't actively looking at this issue and discussing it internally. Otherwise, why wouldn't the team representing their executives have information that is weeks old? Wouldn't that be some of the best reps with the best information? My hopes of going in July are now hinging on restrictions being lifted on June 15, which I am still a bit skeptical about.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Person on phone not being update NOT EQUAL TO executive DL leadership not being up to date.

 

[amyg1975]

Also, if you go to the Blueprint website and search Orange County, it still says in-state visitors only for Amusement Parks. https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/

 

[V & S]

I think this is very tricky regarding the state. It was tough for DL to get permission to open at all, and I believe they are going to be extra cautious so as not to have to close again.

Also, because there is no universal vaccination certificate in place, and because so many people have posted their CDC cards online (making them easy to fake), there's no way to guarantee people have been vaccinated. One unvaccinated, infected but asymptomatic person, can infect dozens upon dozens of people--and then it's all over.

 

[ButterflyKisses77]

Even if you were allowed to go tickets are selling out like crazy. As it is there are only 4 days available in July right now :/

 

[Bigmace]

Even if you were allowed to go tickets are selling out like crazy. As it is there are only 4 days available in July right now :/

There are only 4 days available in July because you can only book park reservations 60 days out... Tomorrow you can book 7/5 and then the day after you will be able to book 7/6, etc.

 

[brentm77]

Person on phone not being update NOT EQUAL TO executive DL leadership not being up to date.

I don't disagree. But I would expect someone on the "Executive Response Team" to be up to date on this issue and at least research it before me calling me. She is literally representing herself as speaking on behalf of the executives.

Also, the way the talked, she gave me the impression she is involved in meetings about this issue - she said she was on a call with representatives from Universal this morning and they were discussing out-of-state visitors and that Universal wasn't allowing them yet. That seemed very odd that she could be so out of the loop or that this wasn't more of an issue of discussion, as I had hopped Disney was actively monitoring when they could open and I did not come away with that impression.

 

[brentm77]

Even if you were allowed to go tickets are selling out like crazy. As it is there are only 4 days available in July right now :/

They haven't even opened up the dates in July when we will be there.

 

[kristensideaoffun]

Disney is aware that California allows visitors from out-of-state to go to theme parks, even if the customer service representative you spoke with hasn’t been informed of this. When this rule changed, Disney announced they were not changing their policy to allow out-of-state visitors, regardless of whether or not they are vaccinated. As a private company, Disney has chosen to open with stricter restrictions than the state allows.

 

[brentm77]

Also, if you go to the Blueprint website and search Orange County, it still says in-state visitors only for Amusement Parks. https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/

There is an exception in the travel guidance it references. You can easily find major news reports that explain the exception, and it has been confirmed by the California Department of Health.

 

[brentm77]

Disney is aware that California allows visitors from out-of-state to go to theme parks, even if the customer service representative you spoke with hasn’t been informed for this. When this rule changed, Disney announced they were not changing their policy to allow out-of-state visitors, regardless of whether or not they are vaccinated. As a private company, Disney has chosen to open with stricter restrictions than the state allows.

All of that could be true, but I would still expect someone calling back on behalf and in the name of the executives to be much better informed. She had my email before she called. She could have at least understood that this was a company position and not a state requirement. I would have no issue with that. I merely asked in the email if they would be making any announcements soon so I could plan accordingly.

 

[kristensideaoffun]

All of that could be true, but I would still expect someone calling back on behalf and in the name of the executives to be much better informed. She had my email before she called. She could have at least understood that this was a company position and not a state requirement. I would have no issue with that. I merely asked in the email if they would be making any announcements soon so I could plan accordingly.

Disney customer service representatives are notorious for not having the correct information, regardless of what department you reach. The bottom line is it’s very unlikely that Disney will remove the out-of-state restriction until the state of California removes the vaccination requirement for all theme parks. They’ve already made their announcement stating they will not change their policy to allow for out-of-state vaccinated visitors. Any announcement that would change that policy will likely come from the state first. Watch for an announcement from the state on June 15th. It is rumored that the out of state visitor restrictions will be lifted when the tier system has been eliminated.

Unfortunately, there is no real way to plan when it comes to CA state guidelines. We are all at the mercy of the state, including Disney.

 

[amyg1975]

There is an exception in the travel guidance it references. You can easily find major news reports that explain the exception, and it has been confirmed by the California Department of Health.

Yes, but I am just pointing out that the state is still not clear on their documents.

 

[ButterflyKisses77]

They haven't even opened up the dates in July when we will be there.

Oh, oops! I thought because they were crossed out it meant they were already sold out. Didn’t realize they just weren’t available yet. I just tried to make reservations for May or June and Disneyland is pretty much completely booked

 

[ButterflyKisses77]

There are only 4 days available in July because you can only book park reservations 60 days out... Tomorrow you can book 7/5 and then the day after you will be able to book 7/6, etc.

Oh, thanks for the info!

 

[Malcon10t]

They were the last major California resort to offer a food festival, and they will be the last to open to out-of-state visitors too. They will be the last to resume cruising too. They can get away with it, because they have the money and enough demand, but it is still frustrating.

Just to be clear, they did not open for the food festivals earlier because the Union required employees to be returned at full time, and not the 4 days a week Disney was wanting to do. It wasn't til CA shut down in Dec that the unions went Oops.... And then allowed them to open for the spring with 5 days a week. There is a lot more at play here than meets the eye. Everyone can blame Disney, but there are unions involved also, who set what THEY will and won't allow.

 

[brentm77]

Just to be clear, they did not open for the food festivals earlier because the Union required employees to be returned at full time, and not the 4 days a week Disney was wanting to do. It wasn't til CA shut down in Dec that the unions went Oops.... And then allowed them to open for the spring with 5 days a week. There is a lot more at play here than meets the eye. Everyone can blame Disney, but there are unions involved also, who set what THEY will and won't allow.

Are Universal, Knots, and SeaWorld not ununionized? This isn't a rhetorical question - I honestly don't know. Presumably they would have had the same hurdles.

 

[kristensideaoffun]

I think the website certification would meet the state's requirements, just like they are using now without checking ID's. In any case, apparently Universal is more capable than Disney at doing something as simple as verifying vaccines on a card, since it is currently doing that. And it isn't out of concern about counterfeits, as Disney is already letting anyone into the parks today without checking anything. I love Disney, but sometimes their inability to be nimble is frustrating. They were the last major California resort to offer a food festival, and they will be the last to open to out-of-state visitors too. They will be the last to resume cruising too. They can get away with it, because they have the money and enough demand, but it is still frustrating.

The attestation is only for residency. All other venues and activities that have a negative COViD test and/or vaccination allowance (theme parks are only allowed vaccinated out-of-state visitors, but concerts and sporting events are allowed a certain % of vaccinated or negative tested guests) are required to verify the negative COViD test/vaccination using the documentation allowed by the state. At the bottom of the state’s blueprint, there is an explanation of which documentation can be used.

 

[kristensideaoffun]

Are Universal, Knots, and SeaWorld not ununionized? This isn't a rhetorical question - I honestly don't know. Presumably they would have had the same hurdles.

Some employees at Universal are union and I believe all are part of the same union. It’s much easier to negotiate with one union, where Disneyland has to negotiate with 11 different unions.

Knotts and SeaWorld do not have unions that I know of.

 

[brentm77]

The attestation is only for residency. All other venues and activities that have a negative COViD test and/or vaccination allowance (theme parks are only allowed vaccinated out-of-state visitors, but concerts and sporting events are allowed a certain % of vaccinated or negative tested guests) are required to verify the negative COViD test/vaccination using the documentation allowed by the state. At the bottom of the state’s blueprint, there is an explanation of which documentation can be used.

I didn't realize that. Thanks for the info.