Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[HokieRaven5]

https://blogmickey.com/2021/03/poli...ce-covid-19-safety-protocols-at-disney-world/

https://twitter.com/x/status/1367536575735869452

So this can be deleted if it's considered not appropriate but I just want to say this is in no way OKAY. If you are choosing to go to WDW you need to comply with their current safety protocols that they have in place.

To do anything to the CMs who are trying to get you to follow the protocols set by the company is disgraceful. The rules are in place not only for guests, but the CMs who are there on a regular basis. If you can't follow simple rules of a private company like a decent human being then you have no place visiting there at the current moment.

 

[Mr. Drauer]

Looks like things are gradually opening up in Florida...I'm SO GLAD!

Seriously? Things have been open in Florida since May / June of 2020. There was never a statewide shutdown. Cities and Counties had a hard close in April and part of May. Restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, theme parks. Everything is pretty much open and up to either the business themselves or the county or city they are in on any CDC guidelines or mask rules.

 

[xuxa777]

Seriously? Things have been open in Florida since May / June of 2020. There was never a statewide shutdown. Cities and Counties had a hard close in April and part of May. Restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, theme parks. Everything is pretty much open and up to either the business themselves or the county or city they are in on any CDC guidelines or mask rules.

yeah that post is sorta confusing.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

A bit more clarity on Blizzard Beach water park protocols. Most of this seems as one would expect, with a few nuances in the lazy river.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1367544185314824206

 

[Mr. Drauer]

A bit more clarity on Blizzard Beach water park protocols. Most of this seems as one would expect, with a few nuances in the lazy river.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1367544185314824206

This, in my opinion, is where the bubble bursts. It's not OK to have a mask worn improperly (nose showing, etc.) at any other WDW facility, but here, you can wander around all day without even wearing one (once you are in the park and have chosen your place for the day). I spent a bunch of time at Volcano Bay during the summer, so I am fine with this, but it really doesn't make any sense to say that it's OK at a water park but not anywhere else (with the exception of resort pools of course). It will be interesting to see what reaction we will get from guests, especially those who have been so concerned about recent crowd reports.

 

[hereforthechurros]

This, in my opinion, is where the bubble bursts. It's not OK to have a mask worn improperly (nose showing, etc.) at any other WDW facility, but here, you can wander around all day without even wearing one (once you are in the park and have chosen your place for the day). I spent a bunch of time at Volcano Bay during the summer, so I am fine with this, but it really doesn't make any sense to say that it's OK at a water park but not anywhere else (with the exception of resort pools of course). It will be interesting to see what reaction we will get from guests, especially those who have been so concerned about recent crowd reports.

It's not any different than their current pool guidelines at the resorts. It's outdoors whereas in the parks you're in and out of queues/shops/restaurants. Can you really not see the difference?

CDC guidlines for pools https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/parks-rec/aquatic-venues.html
The virus can sometimes spread from person-to-person by small droplets or virus particles that linger in the air for minutes to hours. This can happen most easily in enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation. In general, being outdoors and in spaces with good ventilation reduces the risk of exposure to infectious respiratory droplets

 

[Dsny4fun]

Well, I can't speak for anyone else, but yes, for me and my family, it IS that piece of cloth that's keeping us away. Of course, no one knows who else feels that way, but I doubt I'm the only one.

That piece of cloth is the reason I cancelled my trip and why I won't be back until they are no longer required

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Not to drag out the mask conversation that never ends but it would be nice to see masks only required indoors at Disney World once the country hits an acceptable vaccinated rate. Especially with such positive news lately about vaccine availability for all adults by the end of April. If everyone who wants a vaccine has the means to get it then I don't see why this wouldn't be a great step back to normalcy.

As for Blizzard Beach, if folks aren't comfortable they can at least avoid it- same with the resort pools since the policy is clear.

But man... one thing I definitely won't miss after all this? All the arguing about masks and covid protocols everywhere you turn around.... It's brought so much negativity to the DISboards.

 

[Mr. Drauer]

It's not any different than their current pool guidelines at the resorts. It's strictly outdoors whereas in the parks you're in and out of queues/shops/restaurants. Can you really not see the difference?

CDC guidlines for pools https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/parks-rec/aquatic-venues.html
The virus can sometimes spread from person-to-person by small droplets or virus particles that linger in the air for minutes to hours. This can happen most easily in enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation. In general, being outdoors and in spaces with good ventilation reduces the risk of exposure to infectious respiratory droplets

seriously? how many people are at a resort pool? 50 - 100? at BB it 5,000 or more. You can pretty much get your own space at a pool and stay pretty far away from most others, You are going to have like 600 - 700 people in the wave pool. You will be standing in lines for 20 - 30 minutes or more without a mask on. People have been going nuts on here about noses sticking out while walking around the parks, and not following the distance markers. At BB, you can walk all day without a mask on. I spent 6 or 7 days at VB this summer, all when they closed admission due to capacity, which was like 10,000 - 12,000 people. You had over 1,000 people in the wave pool, and lines of people trying to get into and out of areas that bottlenecked on 3 foot wide sidewalks. The fast river they have where you wear a life jacket had zero distancing protocols, since you are carried by the current. People tied a bandana around their mouth or used a tee shirt to get in the food and bar lines. It was nothing like a resort pool. It was exactly the same as the crowds at the theme parks walking around, except in one place, mask on, the other, not. When people go to BB, they will put their stuff down, take off their masks and put on their sunscreen, and that's it. If they want to shop, or food, or drink, go back to their spot and get their mask, but they don't have to put it on to get to the store, only when they go inside.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Not to drag out the mask conversation that never ends but it would be nice to see masks only required indoors at Disney World once the country hits an acceptable vaccinated rate. Especially with such positive news lately about vaccine availability for all adults by the end of April. If everyone who wants a vaccine has the means to get it then I don't see why this wouldn't be a great step back to normalcy.

As for Blizzard Beach, if folks aren't comfortable they can at least avoid it- same with the resort pools since the policy is clear.

But man... one thing I definitely won't miss after all this? All the arguing about masks and covid protocols everywhere you turn around.... It's brought so much negativity to the DISboards.

Agreed that would be nice, but the amount of policing that would need to go on anytime someone went from technically outside to technically inside a queue would be too much to manage. But who knows, Disney never ceases to surprise me.

I won’t miss the arguing either. The fact that masks were ever politicized has done damage everywhere

 

[Eeyore daily]

And then there are those out there like me who love the mask guidelines! I decided not to take my niece to ZooTampa because they don't require a mask and I'll take her to the Magic Kingdom instead.

In other news, I can't wait to see all the reports of a Taste of Disneyland/California Adventure. It seemed like the system was working better for that than the first day of park reservations. At least that's what it looked like I'm not 100% sure.

 

[hereforthechurros]

seriously? how many people are at a resort pool? 50 - 100? at BB it 5,000 or more. You can pretty much get your own space at a pool and stay pretty far away from most others, You are going to have like 600 - 700 people in the wave pool. You will be standing in lines for 20 - 30 minutes or more without a mask on. People have been going nuts on here about noses sticking out while walking around the parks, and not following the distance markers. At BB, you can walk all day without a mask on. I spent 6 or 7 days at VB this summer, all when they closed admission due to capacity, which was like 10,000 - 12,000 people. You had over 1,000 people in the wave pool, and lines of people trying to get into and out of areas that bottlenecked on 3 foot wide sidewalks. The fast river they have where you wear a life jacket had zero distancing protocols, since you are carried by the current. People tied a bandana around their mouth or used a tee shirt to get in the food and bar lines. It was nothing like a resort pool. It was exactly the same as the crowds at the theme parks walking around, except in one place, mask on, the other, not. When people go to BB, they will put their stuff down, take off their masks and put on their sunscreen, and that's it. If they want to shop, or food, or drink, go back to their spot and get their mask, but they don't have to put it on to get to the store, only when they go inside.

Are the queues indoors at VB? I’ve never been. Queues at BB are all outdoors and distanced; I trust CDC guidelines are being considered. We all have our limits and I would trust being outdoors at a water park mask less, but if someone else doesn’t that’s okay. I don’t feel comfortable being maskless in the parks yet because of the indoor factor but others may. If things turn into a mess I’m sure they reserve the right to implement masks.

We stayed at CBR over President’s Day weekend and it was far from 50-100 people, there wasn’t a single pool chair to be had! The pool itself was as full as I’ve ever seen a WDW pool. But I was still 6” from another chair and people in the pool were in passing. Wdw knows all they have to do is set the parameters to avoid liability.

 

[SierraT]

seriously? how many people are at a resort pool? 50 - 100? at BB it 5,000 or more. You can pretty much get your own space at a pool and stay pretty far away from most others, You are going to have like 600 - 700 people in the wave pool. You will be standing in lines for 20 - 30 minutes or more without a mask on. People have been going nuts on here about noses sticking out while walking around the parks, and not following the distance markers. At BB, you can walk all day without a mask on. I spent 6 or 7 days at VB this summer, all when they closed admission due to capacity, which was like 10,000 - 12,000 people. You had over 1,000 people in the wave pool, and lines of people trying to get into and out of areas that bottlenecked on 3 foot wide sidewalks. The fast river they have where you wear a life jacket had zero distancing protocols, since you are carried by the current. People tied a bandana around their mouth or used a tee shirt to get in the food and bar lines. It was nothing like a resort pool. It was exactly the same as the crowds at the theme parks walking around, except in one place, mask on, the other, not. When people go to BB, they will put their stuff down, take off their masks and put on their sunscreen, and that's it. If they want to shop, or food, or drink, go back to their spot and get their mask, but they don't have to put it on to get to the store, only when they go inside.

COVID can’t get you if you have a bathing suit on. It really makes zero sense that people are still required to wear masks outside now.

We’ve been in the parks many times over the last few months and fortunately it has been mild weather wise so the masks haven’t bothered us. That said, we were in Springs on Sunday and it was mid 80’s and dying with the mask on outside. I can not imagine how bad it will be in the summer if this mask thing is still a thing.

 

[Eric Smith]

COVID can’t get you if you have a bathing suit on. It really makes zero sense that people are still required to wear masks outside now.

We’ve been in the parks many times over the last few months and fortunately it has been mild weather wise so the masks haven’t bothered us. That said, we were in Springs on Sunday and it was mid 80’s and dying with the mask on outside. I can not imagine how bad it will be in the summer if this mask thing is still a thing.

It’s still going to be a thing for quite a while.

 

[Jrb1979]

The rumor now is that Big River will move into ESPN'S spot. That's according to Stead001 at WDWmagic.

 

[atricks]

Are the queues indoors at VB? I’ve never been. Queues at BB are all outdoors and distanced; I trust CDC guidelines are being considered. We all have our limits and I would trust being outdoors at a water park mask less, but if someone else doesn’t that’s okay. I don’t feel comfortable being maskless in the parks yet because of the indoor factor but others may. If things turn into a mess I’m sure they reserve the right to implement masks.

We stayed at CBR over President’s Day weekend and it was far from 50-100 people, there wasn’t a single pool chair to be had! The pool itself was as full as I’ve ever seen a WDW pool. But I was still 6” from another chair and people in the pool were in passing. Wdw knows all they have to do is set the parameters to avoid liability.

Volcano Bay uses virtual queues with the "tapu tapu" bands and relatively short outdoor ones for people to gather when you hit your ride time (the watch gives you an eta), so it's not a huge issue. I went to Volcano Bay the day they reopened (Feb 27th) and it wasn't bad. The Aqua Coaster went down a few times, but they had plenty of overflow space along a lesser used walkway, and it also was outdoors. The only indoor area is inside the volcano (outside of the stores and restaurants) and that's a walk through attraction without a real line.

 

[CopperCreek28]

I did the parks in August when it was surface of the sun hot. Wearing a cloth mask was brutal but the paper surgical masks were a breeze to wear.

Agreed, I added a tiny amount of peppermint oil on the mask and it kept it “cool” all day.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Looks like updated hours for the week of 3/21-3/27 are out

MK 8a-9p
EP 11a-11p
DHS 9a-8p (edit DHS is 9a-8p for 3/21 only at this time, 9a-7p the remainder of the week)
DAK 8a-8p

BB 11a-6p

 

[Jennasis]

COVID can’t get you if you have a bathing suit on. It really makes zero sense that people are still required to wear masks outside now.

We’ve been in the parks many times over the last few months and fortunately it has been mild weather wise so the masks haven’t bothered us. That said, we were in Springs on Sunday and it was mid 80’s and dying with the mask on outside. I can not imagine how bad it will be in the summer if this mask thing is still a thing.

We've already been through an entire summer with "this mask thing".

 

[jlwhitney]

A bit more clarity on Blizzard Beach water park protocols. Most of this seems as one would expect, with a few nuances in the lazy river.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1367544185314824206

the lazy river rule is nuts and honestly they are Insane for expecting masks in restrooms. Just dances our night stay in April and calling to see if we can get a refund on our passes. Im not about to walk half way across the park to get a mask when a kid needs to go potty or myself. We often put our stuff in a spot and then bounce from slide to slide to slide.

That piece of cloth is the reason I cancelled my trip and why I won't be back until they are no longer required

Same here and tbh we are close to selling our dvc and never returning .

We've already been through an entire summer with "this mask thing".

But it’s a whole new game this summer, the crowds were almost non existent last summer . People got through a bunch of rides much quicker and spent much less
Time in lines. I