Disneyland Reopening Speculation Superthread

[midnight star]

Do we even know that plans or an agreement with the state was ever made for a July opening? Just because they were making plans to reopen doesn’t mean there were any final guidances in place. The state could have very well told them NO to the plans they submitted but our cases got out of control before they could even get to that conversation.

I don’t think so. I think the theme parks made their plans and were waiting on guidance. So now they seem to be pressuring the governor to release the guidance

 

[DLgal]

My speculation, and I think this was backed up by some of the Governor's commentary in the press conference last week about "smaller" amusement parks, is that the state knows that Disney and Universal will adhere to any guidelines approved by the state, but that it will be a free-for-all at other parks.

There is no way that a Great America or Six Flags staffed by seasonal teenage workers that provide a sub-par guest experience already is going to implement and enforce rigorous safety standards. Even in Florida, the reporting that I've seen has been that adherence to safety requirements has been lackluster at Sea World, Legoland, and regional parks. Has that led to outbreaks yet? No, not that we know of. But I don't see Governor Newsom approving an opening plan that he knows some parks won't follow and any plan that says "theme parks that charge and make a lot of money can reopen but other theme parks can't" is not legally defensible.

Part of this could just be a waiting game -- all of the water parks already gave up on 2020 and have moved on to 2021. This is the time of year when some regional parks move to weekend-only operations, so if the Governor keeps pushing off reopening, they may just decide not to reopen until summer 2021, which may make it easier for the Governor to move ahead with allowing limited reopening, knowing that practically speaking only some of the big parks (like Disney) will choose to reopen.

I don't know. I mean, there have been literally NO guidelines released for any outdoor activities. Playgrounds are still closed and surrounded by caution tape. Beaches state wide are still only officially open for "active use."

It seems like they simply have not yet figured out what is safe to do outdoors (spoiler: basically everything outdoors is safe) or published any guidelines for such.

I really don't understand why even water parks haven't been allowed to open yet with capacity limits. It really defies logic at this point.

It really does seem like he is waiting until after Labor Day to release outdoor activity guidelines.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Since this is the reopening speculation thread, is it OK if I call my shot?

OF COURSE! That’s what we’re all about here

 

[Aurora0427]

While it seems pretty straight forward to us, my guess is during that meeting maybe they reviewed a preliminary draft of the plan for Theme Parks, then the Theme Parks shared their thoughts, the State shared its thoughts. The State says they will work over the next few days to make further modifications to the document and then they can talk again next week. Since they were meeting on Friday afternoon people wouldn't likely work on any changes until Monday or Tuesday. While it is a priority for us, Disney, and many cast members... this isn't as big of a concern when it comes to a State that is worried about an overall pandemic response, wildfires, homelessness, etc.

Considering that Disneyland being closed is completely killing the economy in Anaheim, I
think the reopening of Disneyland is a HUGE deal.

 

[Aurora0427]

I don't know. I mean, there have been literally NO guidelines released for any outdoor activities. Playgrounds are still closed and surrounded by caution tape. Beaches state wide are still only officially open for "active use."

It seems like they simply have not yet figured out what is safe to do outdoors (spoiler: basically everything outdoors is safe) or published any guidelines for such.

I really don't understand why even water parks haven't been allowed to open yet with capacity limits. It really defies logic at this point.

It really does seem like he is waiting until after Labor Day to release outdoor activity guidelines.

Our beaches in San Diego have been open for passive use since the second week of June. State and local.

 

[midnight star]

Our beaches in San Diego have been open for passive use since the second week of June. State and local.

Same with LA. I feel like all I do lately is go to the beach and hang out on the weekends...

When I type that out, it sounds like a major first world problem lol

 

[Aurora0427]

Same with LA. I feel like all I do lately is go to the beach and hang out on the weekends...

When I type that out, it sounds like a major first world problem lol

We are at the beach right now. As I type this. My kids are fighting over the big shovel because like a moron, I only brought one big shovel.

We may take a field trip to DtD next week.

 

[gottalovepluto]

The Zoom class was dismissed early so now I'm listening to the live feed of the Governors update. Just talking about the eviction moratorium. Nothing interesting yet.

An important note I think. No way was he going to have that news upstaged. When Disneyland opens NOTHING else he says that day will matter.

 

[midnight star]

An important note I think. No way was he going to have that news upstaged. When Disneyland opens NOTHING else he says that day will matter.

LOL right! That will be the only news story the rest of the day across the country I'm sure.

 

[DLgal]

OC beaches are still only "officially" open for active use. However, those rules are largely being ignored.

 

[abent]

Considering that Disneyland being closed is completely killing the economy in Anaheim, I
think the reopening of Disneyland is a HUGE deal.

This is what is shocking to me. If things don’t open up soon, what will the economic state be when It does?
Going to Disneyland is a luxury, a nicety, definitely not a necessity. I would happily attend today and feel confident in my own person choice to attend. I would totally respect others that weren’t due to their personal dynamics. We seem to have so many different expectations for everything.......yet our economy is so vulnerable.

 

[midnight star]

This is what is shocking to me. If things don’t open up soon, what will the economic state be when It does?
Going to Disneyland is a luxury, a nicety, definitely not a necessity. I would happily attend today and feel confident in my own person choice to attend. I would totally respect others that weren’t due to their personal dynamics. We seem to have so many different expectations for everything.......yet our economy is so vulnerable.

My only hope is that since OC numbers keep improving maybe it will help the case of theme parks opening within their respective counties if numbers are ok?

 

[EDS19]

Considering that Disneyland being closed is completely killing the economy in Anaheim, I
think the reopening of Disneyland is a HUGE deal.

I totally agree that it is a huge deal and should be considered as such. As others have stated Disneyland has as $8.5 Billion impact on the Souther California Economy. The point I was trying to get at, is based on the States actions so far plenty of other things are taking priorities to Theme Parks reopening (Or it could be viewed as the State being extra cautious). Just as a sample, the State has released reopening guidelines for Electrologists, Piercing shops, Family Entertainment Centers, Tattoo Parlors, and Body Waxing Studios. I know those are a lot less complex than theme parks. But when the State said they wouldn't release their guidelines until after the 4th of July, and still into September they haven't released guidelines, it feels like they aren't treating this like a time sensitive matter when many jobs and businesses depend on it. I personally am very optimistic and know Disney could open within 10-14 days of getting the green light, but until the State provides guidance it's out of Disney's hands. (And much like most of this COVID experience the unknown are some of the most frustrating parts for me.)

 

[midnight star]

Is there anything else major pending? If not, maybe we will get an update Friday?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Is there anything else major pending? If not, maybe we will get an update Friday?

I don't think so. One week feels like an appropriate waiting period between "real life regulations" and "fun regulations" right? Please? PLEASE SAY ONE WEEK OF MOURNING THE BLACK HOLE OF THEME PARK HOPE HAS BEEN ENOUGH!

 

[wingednike]

I'm in a bad mental spot right now, so take this with a grain of salt.

I feel that Disney could have done something to employ more of their workers and open within the restrictions given by the state, but they want the show and spectacle of a grand re-opening ( ex. "We're opening on our anniversary!")

Knotts started with a small event ($15 a ticket, I think) then went slightly bigger ($30/person). I feel that Disney doesn't want to diminish their ticket prices. Even prior to Covid they were wary of lowering the price for non-peak days.

 

[montreid]

Disney can do what Seaworld is doing. Gate charge $75 and APs $30 for food+wine and street entertainment. It'll bring in plenty of business I bet.---sellout business in fact.

I am willing to bet APs would drop $50 for just Food+Wine side to open. At least there's four tickets waiting to be purchased a few times over next few months

 

[ycsteves]

Full disclosure, I won’t go to DLR unless the rides (indoor and outdoor) are open. I know a lot of people get joy out of looking at the characters and decorations, but for me it’s all of it(CM’s, characters even if from afar, rides, food) that make the experience for me. I would love to throw Disney my money, but no POTC or GOTG is a major deal breaker for me. I’ll just have to wait until rides can open, whenever that is. That may be a while too since Reopening theme parks is most likely not on top of Newsom’s list right now.

guys....I miss the rides so much

 

[bcwife76]

Full disclosure, I won’t go to DLR unless the rides (indoor and outdoor) are open. I know a lot of people get joy out of looking at the characters and decorations, but for me it’s all of it(CM’s, characters even if from afar, rides, food) that make the experience for me. I would love to throw Disney my money, but no POTC or GOTG is a major deal breaker for me. I’ll just have to wait until rides can open, whenever that is. That may be a while too since Reopening theme parks is most likely not on top of Newsom’s list right now. ☹

guys....I miss the rides so much

Completely, 100% agree with you. I won't go without rides fully operational either.

 

[disneycat321]

Full disclosure, I won’t go to DLR unless the rides (indoor and outdoor) are open. I know a lot of people get joy out of looking at the characters and decorations, but for me it’s all of it(CM’s, characters even if from afar, rides, food) that make the experience for me. I would love to throw Disney my money, but no POTC or GOTG is a major deal breaker for me. I’ll just have to wait until rides can open, whenever that is. That may be a while too since Reopening theme parks is most likely not on top of Newsom’s list right now. ☹

guys....I miss the rides so much

Agreed. If we were still local APs, I would probably go either way, but I won't pay ticket prices without the rides.

I am just jumping in here because I am going crazy teaching to little boxes on a computer screen all day (elementary teacher), and it's killing me that we can't even drive 7 hours south and get our Disney fix. I'm hoping that now that OC looks to be entering red soon, there might be some hope?

We were planning to wait until next June, but I find that highly unlikely at this point. I think we'll be down there far sooner....