Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Mit88]

I am still mad the new version of the stores don’t have the plushie mountain. Find me a child that could resist that, I couldn’t either! Don’t even get me going on how much better 90s Disney store was .

I take the little Disney scraps I get though, lol. The distancing lines looked like the ones in the parks and the CM working asked how many were in our party before we entered. Almost like we were boarding a ride . Another similarity was the cost of the day, my kids are also not immune to Disney plush and god forbid we share “the child” and don’t buy multiple.

I wanted to admit that I used to play hide and seek in plush mountain, but I didn’t think it would be appropriate in the current climate, even if its been 2 decades since I did it. I didn’t know they changed it. That’s a little heartbreaking. It was perfect the way it was. Ugly carpets and all.

 

[twinmom13]

We had to do the grocery stores yesterday evening and this morning, and mask compliance (and behaviors in general) this weekend was the worst we’ve seen it in months (and it has not been great here, mind you), and we were at stores where masks are mandatory as of the last 1-2 weeks. DH and I both commented a few times about how uncomfortable we were, and it’s bad when it’s enough to make DH uncomfortable.

I know that’s not parks specific, but I couldn’t help but think about how things have been handled in the parks while we were in the stores (and kind of wish grocery stores had teams of compliance employees walking around )... I also wondered if we were seeing a fluke locally this weekend or if the general attitude is becoming more lax (again, in a city that was pretty lax to begin with, it’s hard to get a good idea really), in which case will we be seeing more reports of less mask compliance in the parks soon, or will WDW stay on top of it?

(my favorite form of questionable mask wearing I saw today, though, was someone wearing the blue medical mask looped correctly over both ears but bunched up between his nose and upper lip like a mustache, covering neither his mouth nor his nose... how is that more comfortable than just wearing it?)

This was exactly how I felt today. We went to our local zoo, which we have gone to twice in the past month. Both times there were lots of people not wearing masks, but it was not a big deal because they were limiting admissions, allowing us to easily avoid people. Our city recently enacted a mask ordinance, so we went today expecting it to be even better. Sadly, the zoo has apparently increased attendance to the point that is was impossible to socially distance. Even worse, masks were few and far between. I would estimate only about 10% were wearing a mask, if that. And this is in the midst of a huge spike in cases in our area. No wonder, given what I saw today. It made me so mad. I kept thinking about the reports I have read here. I feel like we would be so much safer at WDW, if only we could get there. If we were within driving distance, we would be there in a heartbeat. I hope they can keep up it up, unlike my local zoo.

 

[twinmom13]

Our Disney Store still has a plush mountain, albeit smaller than I remember from my childhood. Or maybe it just seemed bigger because I was smaller. Forced perspective!

 

[anthony2k7]

If I were in charge then I would have a park hopping option and guaranteed park admission for those who stay at the Disney resorts and agree to only stay in the WDW Disney bubble.

We would accomplish this by having no parking at the resorts for guests. And they would have to take a special resort only bus to and from the parks. *If you do drive to WDW we would have a special parking lot (say AK parking lot) where you could park your car and unload your things and then a special bubble Magical Express would take you to your resort.

As part of the bubble you would have to go directly from your resort to the special Disney resort bubble buses. If the guard or camera catches you trying to uber or taxi then you would lose all park hopping privileges for the remainder of your stay.

The other advantage of this for Disney is you would be forced to eat Disney food and buy Disney things as you couldn't leave the bubble.

Its an interesting idea but not really viable. There would be too many gaps for a proper bubble - how would you catch them taking an uber from the parks, or walking across the road at Springs outside of the bubble?

 

[TakesFaithTrust&PixieDust]

Yeah I don't know if it's like how when you donate blood they give you a free antibody test. Or if you go to a hospital in Florida for anything they test you, but maybe because this person was asymptomatic they just assumed they didn't have it and had no reason to isolate-but once here in Florida and already at the resort and parks she does what many people have done for years-"I'm not going to let xx ruin my vacation I'm doing it anyway!". People have been going to the parks while sick for years, this isn't going to change. And I guarantee this person isn't the only one who has knowingly (or even not) gone to a theme park while positive for Covid-19. Wrong? Absolutely. But it's not a one-off instance unfortunately.

I had surgery last week at an Orlando hospital and they were quite proactive in making sure I had my Covid test done. At the hospital I got my negative results and was told they can do rapid testing if they didn’t get them back in time. I had to wear a mask up to the OR. In recovery it was gone but I was spaced apart with dividers in between. Sounds strange anyone would get a procedure before the results. It’s a shame to hear people put their fun before other serious considerations. But I’m sure most of us have been guilty of that at one time or another. The difference is that Covid is so contagious and deadly for some people. Hope she didn’t infect others.

 

[TakesFaithTrust&PixieDust]

I don’t think Disney took many missteps in getting up and running again. Perhaps these small crowds are what they’re aiming for until things can get more normal. So many promising articles on vaccines coming out by year end. This will be a game changer for Disney and the world. As for out of state guests there are plenty of tags down here that are not Florida. I can’t say they all go to Disney of course. But they’re down here. Disney is starting to call back PT cast members now in some areas. Almost all businesses are cautiously trying to get through another six to nine months of this. Disney isn’t desperate and they’re handling things very responsibly. There’s a risk everywhere and I would never blame a business such as Disney for an outbreak. They’re going above and beyond. All across the world outbreaks are still happening. Mask up and stay safe everywhere.

 

[Pksmom03]

I’m a part time worker who has been working full time at a long term care facility due to loss of staff because of Covid. I am not a nurse but I do come in close contact with employees taking temperatures at arrival/departure from the facility. We’ve worn masks since April but somehow Covid crept in and we have had more than a dozen residents and employees test positive and unfortunately several deaths. I have had a Disney vacation planned since June of last year. We are staying offsite at a major hotel chain’s timeshare program that we are a member of. We ARE going in September unless I or my family test positive or FLA/WDW shut down. My state has recommended the 14 day quarantine after coming back from any state with positivity rate over 15% just last week and while that gave me pause, it has not deterred my plans. I need a break from the stress and worry over Covid. I truly feel that WDW might be safer for me to go to than my work at this point. So please remember when some of you post how irresponsible it is to visit the parks right now that you have not walked through that person’s shoes and maybe what you deem too risky for yourself is just some semblance of normalcy for others.

 

[WorldOfPooh]

Its an interesting idea but not really viable. There would be too many gaps for a proper bubble - how would you catch them taking an uber from the parks, or walking across the road at Springs outside of the bubble?

Disney Springs would be outside our bubble so if you went there you would lose park hopping privileges and extended hours.

When you leave the park you would have to scan your magic band and if the band showed that you were in a resort and bubble positive then the guards and cast members would escort you to the bubble bus.

If you did not comply and did not get on the bubble bus then they would change your magic band status to bubble negative for the rest of your stay and you would lose park hopping and extended hours privileges.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I truly feel that WDW might be safer for me to go to than my work at this point. So please remember when some of you post how irresponsible it is to visit the parks right now that you have not walked through that person’s shoes and maybe what you deem too risky for yourself is just some semblance of normalcy for others.

I don’t think any public health expert would right now advise air travel, going to a hot spot to attend a mass gathering at a theme park, regardless of the precautions being taken. It’s not just deeming it too risky for yourself. It IS inherently risky, and some people have a false sense of security about it. Going there should be about accepting those risks, not deeming it “safe.”

It also goes both ways. People who feel it’s too risky get snide comments all the time about living under a rock forever, etc. As if deciding not to go to WDW in the middle of a pandemic while FL is spiking means you’re never going to do anything again.

Lots of people planning on going are in denial about the risks. Someone on here even said that odds are NOBODY at WDW has the virus. If people want to accept the risks, that’s great for them. But from what I have read around various sites, many are truly not aware of the actual risks and have a false sense of security based on the measures Disney has implemented.

 

[Marionnette]

Disney Springs would be outside our bubble so if you went there you would lose park hopping privileges and extended hours.

When you leave the park you would have to scan your magic band and if the band showed that you were in a resort and bubble positive then the guards and cast members would escort you to the bubble bus.

If you did not comply and did not get on the bubble bus then they would change your magic band status to bubble negative for the rest of your stay and you would lose park hopping and extended hours privileges.

This sounds absolutely ridiculous. If anything, it would discourage more visitors than it would attract. What you’re proposing sounds more like a prison sentence than a vacation.

 

[WonderlandisReality]

I’m a part time worker who has been working full time at a long term care facility due to loss of staff because of Covid. I am not a nurse but I do come in close contact with employees taking temperatures at arrival/departure from the facility. We’ve worn masks since April but somehow Covid crept in and we have had more than a dozen residents and employees test positive and unfortunately several deaths. I have had a Disney vacation planned since June of last year. We are staying offsite at a major hotel chain’s timeshare program that we are a member of. We ARE going in September unless I or my family test positive or FLA/WDW shut down. My state has recommended the 14 day quarantine after coming back from any state with positivity rate over 15% just last week and while that gave me pause, it has not deterred my plans. I need a break from the stress and worry over Covid. I truly feel that WDW might be safer for me to go to than my work at this point. So please remember when some of you post how irresponsible it is to visit the parks right now that you have not walked through that person’s shoes and maybe what you deem too risky for yourself is just some semblance of normalcy for others.

Hugs. I am an RN that wears several hats at our healthcare organization. We have been in the thick of COVID since late February. During March and April I was putting in at least 80 hours a week. The toll on Healthcare workers has been extreme. We are encouraging everyone to take their vacations at this point because the burnout is almost universal at this point. And I agree that the risk of going to Disney for frontline healthcare workers looks a lot different than risk for a lot of other professionals. But just a note of caution: treat the parks as just as risky as your facility, even though you are on vacation follow the same PPE and cleaning guidelines, and do whatever you need to do to take a mental break from work.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

If I were in charge then I would have a park hopping option and guaranteed park admission for those who stay at the Disney resorts and agree to only stay in the WDW Disney bubble.

We would accomplish this by having no parking at the resorts for guests. And they would have to take a special resort only bus to and from the parks. *If you do drive to WDW we would have a special parking lot (say AK parking lot) where you could park your car and unload your things and then a special bubble Magical Express would take you to your resort.

As part of the bubble you would have to go directly from your resort to the special Disney resort bubble buses. If the guard or camera catches you trying to uber or taxi then you would lose all park hopping privileges for the remainder of your stay.

The other advantage of this for Disney is you would be forced to eat Disney food and buy Disney things as you couldn't leave the bubble.

So what happens to local AP’s? They can’t go anymore because they’re not part of the bubble?

DVC members can’t get groceries to stock their kitchens? Can grocery delivery services come in? No, because they’d compromise the bubble.

Do the CMs live in the bubble too? Can they only go between home and work? How do they not compromise the bubble? There are thousands of them.

Someone with a baby forgot to bring an essential. If they have to go off property to get formula or special sunscreen, they’ve now lost park privileges? There are many things people may need that you cannot buy on site.

Kid slips and hits head on table, needs a couple stitches. Can doctors on call come in? Can you go to urgent care? If a kid needs a stitch, they lose park privileges? Guess so.

This is short sighted and would never work. Their already low attendance would be even lower.

 

[WorldOfPooh]

This sounds absolutely ridiculous. If anything, it would discourage more visitors than it would attract. What you’re proposing sounds more like a prison sentence than a vacation.

It's not "absolute ridiculousnessssss".
Anything is better than what we have right now for the survival of Disney, cast members, the theme parks, travel and hotel industry.

 

[Marionnette]

It's not "absolute ridiculousnessssss".
Anything is better than what we have right now for the survival of Disney, cast members, the theme parks, travel and hotel industry.

Your opinion. My opinion.

I don’t think that isolating guests in a bubble and then using guards to escort them from point to point provides a magical experience. There’s only so much I’m willing to put up with in order to keep myself and others safe. If I wanted what you propose, I can stay home and isolate in my house.

 

[WorldOfPooh]

So what happens to local AP’s? They can’t go anymore because they’re not part of the bubble?

DVC members can’t get groceries to stock their kitchens? Can grocery delivery services come in? No, because they’d compromise the bubble.

Do the CMs live in the bubble too? Can they only go between home and work? How do they not compromise the bubble? There are thousands of them.

Someone with a baby forgot to bring an essential. If they have to go off property to get formula or special sunscreen, they’ve now lost park privileges? There are many things people may need that you cannot buy on site.

Kid slips and hits head on table, needs a couple stitches. Can doctors on call come in? Can you go to urgent care? If a kid needs a stitch, they lose park privileges? Guess so.

This is short sighted and would never work. Their already low attendance would be even lower.

local AP's can go to the park just like they can right now. Except they would be limited to one park a day and no extended hours. (really that's no different then what they are getting now)>

The CMs and guard would be the same as the NBA CM's that go home each day but are tested upon reentry to the bubble. (Personally I would prefer that they live in the bubble, but that's just me).

If you forgot an essential then you can buy it overprices at the resort store, or have the Mickey delivery service deliver it to your hotel door or to the parks guest relations.

Each Disney park has a medical center in the park (I've seen the one at AK). So they would take care of it. If it was more urgent than that they would be transported to the hospital (but in that case they probably would not be going to the parks for the forseeable future anyway).

Attendance would be fine. Those not staying at the resorts would have the same deal they have now. But if you stay at the resorts you have the incentive of park hopping and extended hours. (a resort person can opt out of that and just have normal hours and no park hopping. That option is always there)

 

[WorldOfPooh]

Your opinion. My opinion.

I don’t think that isolating guests in a bubble and then using guards to escort them from point to point provides a magical experience. There’s only so much I’m willing to put up with in order to keep myself and others safe. If I wanted what you propose, I can stay home and isolate in my house.

And that's like your opinion.

Not having park hopping or extended summer hours isn't a magical experience either. That's why I'm not going.

 

[skeeter31]

And that's like your opinion.

Not having park hopping or extended summer hours isn't a magical experience either. That's why I'm not going.

That’s good. So the parks aren’t for you this summer, or most likely this year. But I think we can all agree at this point that Disney isn’t going to be putting in place your “plan” so can we stop discussing it now? It’s been 3-4 pages of discussion about a plan that will NEVER be put into place. We get that you don’t like reduced hours and no park hopping, but we don’t need the continuation of this “plan.”

 

[Marionnette]

And that's like your opinion.

Not having park hopping or extended summer hours isn't a magical experience either. That's why I'm not going.

Then I guess it would be a net zero effect for Disney to do what you propose because I would cancel my upcoming trip if those were the terms.

 

[WorldOfPooh]

That’s good. So the parks aren’t for you this summer, or most likely this year. But I think we can all agree at this point that Disney isn’t going to be putting in place your “plan” so can we stop discussing it now? It’s been 3-4 pages of discussion about a plan that will NEVER be put into place. We get that you don’t like reduced hours and no park hopping, but we don’t need the continuation of this “plan.”

It's a forum. Half the stuff on it is speculation and suggestions.
If you don't like the plan or opinion then it shouldn't bother you. But there's no reason for you to sqaush ideas or opinions. Our country was built on freedom of speech and ideas.

 

[WorldOfPooh]

Then I guess it would be a net zero effect for Disney to do what you propose because I would cancel my upcoming trip if those were the terms.

You always are welcome to opt out of park hopping and extended hours, in which case your experience would be the exact same experience one gets at the resorts and parks right now. So I'm not sure what would change for you.