Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[circus4u]

Obviously Florida can be hot at all times of the year really but as a tip based on my experience I much preferred the disposable masks. I brought all types of masks with me and it was only in the 80s at its highest but the disposable masks definitely worked best. I don’t know how some were wearing those thick cotton cloth ones Disney first came out with in July.

100% this! We took the cloth ones with us and my wife even bought one of the new ones in the park. She agreed with me and went back to the paper masks as they were much more comfortable and "breathable." We had a good supply with us and periodically would discard the old one for a new one. Not to mention, during our week there, we had a lot of rain from that tropical storm rain bands. If the mask got wet, no problem. Just throw it away.
Wore the paper ones on the plane also, much more comfortable.

 

[LSUmiss]

It's a vaccine. That's all. A vaccine to help stop a pandemic.

Vaccines can & do have side effects for some so it’s not that simple. These haven’t even been tested in children yet. So where would wdw draw the line?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Obviously Florida can be hot at all times of the year really but as a tip based on my experience I much preferred the disposable masks. I brought all types of masks with me and it was only in the 80s at its highest but the disposable masks definitely worked best. I don’t know how some were wearing those thick cotton cloth ones Disney first came out with in July.

Yeah I have good experience with the disposables down here in south Louisiana, too. I bought 2 boxes of the black ones to stash away. It's also much easier to speak in them! I wear them to doctor appointments mainly. They are also the best for people who wear glasses.

I think this is another one of those "not a one size fits all" - we were in a theme park in July when it was 95 out and I found the cloth masks easier to breath in and talk in. I did find it useful to switch between types just to mixt hings up but definitely spent majority of time in a cloth mask

 

[LSUmiss]

The arguments against and some of the reason they won’t are reminiscent of why Disney won’t be able to force mask usage and why they won’t even try or it won’t last.

They did force it. They even did it without exceptions, despite all the conversations about how people with X, Y, or Z couldn’t wear them. For the most part it’s worked beautifully.

Masks are not invasive & have no side effects. That is not the case with vaccines.

 

[hertamaniac]

View attachment 538818

This is the one I wore in August. Idk, the cotton didn’t bother me. Never felt the need to find a relaxation station to take it off, never felt like it was tough to breath in. But I’m also used to the humidity in NY that the heat/humidity in Florida bothers me like it does for some

Well this is the day where we finally dropped to upper 40's and lower 50's in the AM, so I will be interested to hear what WDW guests say about the comfort levels. I know this week is supposed to be a perfect weather week in Orlando.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Vaccines can & do have side effects for some so it’s not that simple. These haven’t even been tested in children yet. So where would wdw draw the line?

I was referring to it being an invasion of privacy to tell Disney I got a vaccine. I don't think that infringes on my liberties.

 

[hertamaniac]

These haven’t even been tested in children yet.

or with pregnant women.

 

[yulilin3]

Well this is the day where we finally dropped to upper 40's and lower 50's in the AM, so I will be interested to hear what WDW guests say about the comfort levels. I know this week is supposed to be a perfect weather week in Orlando.

My windows are all open in my apartment, excited to see my electric bill absolutely gorgeous. Headed to AK this afternoon

 

[The Pho]

I'm not surprised. This was the discussion before the parks opened again. How in the world could the CMs enforce it every where at all times? I'm just glad that they removed people who were being that defiant in the middle of Main Street.

It’s why I was a little disappointed in Disney. I saw several different Six Flags escorting people out of the park for removing their masks on rides, or just walking around not wearing them correctly. There’s no reason Disney can’t do that as well. At least they’re doing better than Holiday World, who made people remove their masks to go on rides.

American Adventure was where I really noticed people taking masks off, they really need more than one CM in there. One guy two rows ahead of us had his mask off to talk on the phone before the show started and nobody said anything to him. Really, dude?

About half of the audience of Muppets and Hall of Presidents took off their masks when I went to them. It’s Disney not even trying there.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Masks are not invasive & have no side effects. That is not the case with vaccines.

There are some people who legitimately couldn’t wear them (smaller than the number who claim they cannot, but that’s another topic), they cannot go to Disney right now.

Despite that, vaccines are different in that sense, and if it came down to mandatory vaccines for various venues or even school I do think there would be exceptions. There is precedent for that (although we’re talking schools there, not private venues).

I just don’t think anything is off the table. Would not be surprised either way. And would be even less surprised if air travel in and out of certain places required it, depending how it all shakes out. Way too early to guess if places definitely will or won’t need them.

 

[rteetz]

View attachment 538818

This is the one I wore in August. Idk, the cotton didn’t bother me. Never felt the need to find a relaxation station to take it off, never felt like it was tough to breath in. But I’m also used to the humidity in NY that the heat/humidity in Florida bothers me like it does for some

That appears to be a bit thinner than the first style of Disney mask. I have the first Star Wars set they did and now have the newer style in Halloween and Christmas masks. I definitely prefer the newer style. We get plenty of humidity here in WI as well in June-August but its not consistently 90+ degrees here either.

 

[Moliphino]

About half of the audience of Muppets and Hall of Presidents took off their masks when I went to them. It’s Disney not even trying there.

I didn't even go into those two. I will say, the two men I noticed with masks off at AA did put them back on of their own volition during the show, but they had them off long enough that they should have been noticed and reminded.

 

[mattpeto]

Once a vaccine is widely available, and anyone can get one if they want, the responsibility is on the person. I don’t think it should be on Disney to continue restrictions if a handful of anti vaccination people refuse to protect themselves.

I agree with this, but this still doesn't tackle the capacity issue problem...

"Come at your own risk" is easy to say when Disney can at least enforce social distancing protocols. Even policing from CM to have guests wear masks will be problematic with people basically on top of one another.

I see a world in 2022 or 2023 where it won't matter if you have the vaccine or not. But what about the meantime?

 

[rteetz]

I think this is another one of those "not a one size fits all" - we were in a theme park in July when it was 95 out and I found the cloth masks easier to breath in and talk in. I did find it useful to switch between types just to mixt hings up but definitely spent majority of time in a cloth mask

I think much of that goes with sizing too. Don't get me wrong I like the cloth masks and will wear them but I found for longer periods of time the disposable masks worked better for me. Like others have said as well say if it rains and they get wet or you do a water ride you can throw them away. I think overall no matter which style you use bring several and you likely will switch throughout the day especially if its hot.

 

[tlmadden73]

About half of the audience of Muppets and Hall of Presidents took off their masks when I went to them. It’s Disney not even trying there.

Which is why Disney may be better off allowing people to take a break from masks while walking around outside. No one is spreading the virus while walking down Main Street .. but sitting in a theater for 30-40 minutes. Yikes.

They need to shift enforcement to those indoor spaces and not worry about the outdoor ones so much.

Maybe if people know they can freely take them off while outside or taking photos they would be LESS likely to rip them off in a show.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't think businesses should get political or push people to do things that aren't mandated by law. I know the whole goal of a corporation is to make a profit so I don't in general have a problem with that. My issue is more around a business infringing on my personal freedoms. If they choose to do that I will not support that business no matter how much I enjoy Disney. I would just never go again.

I'm not shocked but it is surprising how fast people are willing to give up their individual liberties and make others do that as well. At some point be careful what you wish for as you may not realize the world you end up living in...

Many business banned smoking in some, or all, locations prior to laws requiring it. Disney bans firearms, even though you have the freedom to own one. Most restaurants require shirts, Im not sure if there is a health regulation requiring shirts.

Not sure when science, masks, became political.

I'd be surprised if Disney attempted to require guest vaccinations. I'd be shocked if cruise industry doesn't require proof of vaccination. A cruise line can't board a passenger who doesn't meet the entry requirement of every port. As long as one port requires vaccination all passengers on the ship must met that requirement before boarding.

There are some people who legitimately couldn’t wear them (smaller than the number who claim they cannot, but that’s another topic), they cannot go to Disney right now.

Despite that, vaccines are different in that sense, and if it came down to mandatory vaccines for various venues or even school I do think there would be exceptions. There is precedent for that (although we’re talking schools there, not private venues).

I just don’t think anything is off the table. Would not be surprised either way. And would be even less surprised if air travel in and out of certain places required it, depending how it all shakes out. Way too early to guess if places definitely will or won’t need them.

I've read the small number of people who can't wear masks, who's breathing is so computerized masks can't be worn are so at risk they should be avoiding places with large gathering.

 

[rteetz]

https://blogmickey.com/2020/11/mickey-and-minnies-runaway-railway-doubles-pandemic-era-capacity/

 

[sullivan.kscott]

I think much of that goes with sizing too. Don't get me wrong I like the cloth masks and will wear them but I found for longer periods of time the disposable masks worked better for me. Like others have said as well say if it rains and they get wet or you do a water ride you can throw them away. I think overall no matter which style you use bring several and you likely will switch throughout the day especially if its hot.

I wish Disney, and most mask manufacturers, would apply the thin adjustable ear elastic. It's not the mask size that bothers me with most of the themed ones, it's the relative depth of my head/ears to my face. I find the thicker style ear straps Disney and Universal both use pull my ears uncomfortably forward. I've tried the "mask extender" straps, but they don't hold the mask in place as well as the ear loops do.

 

[yulilin3]

https://blogmickey.com/2020/11/mickey-and-minnies-runaway-railway-doubles-pandemic-era-capacity/

I really hope this helps, out of all the extended queues this one is probably the worst, and longest

 

[sullivan.kscott]

There are some people who legitimately couldn’t wear them (smaller than the number who claim they cannot, but that’s another topic), they cannot go to Disney right now.

Despite that, vaccines are different in that sense, and if it came down to mandatory vaccines for various venues or even school I do think there would be exceptions. There is precedent for that (although we’re talking schools there, not private venues).

I just don’t think anything is off the table. Would not be surprised either way. And would be even less surprised if air travel in and out of certain places required it, depending how it all shakes out. Way too early to guess if places definitely will or won’t need them.

All of this. Disney isn't going to require it of guests in the parks, because the logistics of setting up that infrastructure isn't worth it long term. Hopefully, that would be a short sighted solution to the problem. For CM, a blanket requirement isn't likely, either. Mainly because of union issues and how to handle all of that. Maybe if Equity are considered new hires once called back, but I doubt it. They'll handle CM vaccination through some type of heavy incentive program, I'm sure.
It's also likely to end up a moot point for guests, because I'm willing to bet a lot of critical industries are going to require it outside of healthcare workers. University staff at all levels, teachers, food chain giants like Tyson and Mondelez are all probably going to require it once available to their sector. Most of your public employees will also be pushed in that direction (police, fire, military, to name a few). I wouldn't be surprised if the Wall Street trading floors required it to return to business as usual. Then there's the public at large. This winter isn't looking good, and I'm sure a few of the fence riders will be more willing to get poked when their number is called.
Lastly, your point of international travel can't be overlooked. Disney's guests from overseas and across land borders will likely be required as a matter of course to either enter the US or get home. Which is why I firmly believe CLIA will make it a requirement of their member lines to have ticket contract language requiring all guests of approved age show proof of vaccination. That's not a violation of personal liberty, as your style of vacation and where you vacation is not protected under law (especially when operated by a private entity).