I rarely write about places like Disney because I focus on Value Travel destinations. I focus on ways to do the best things in travel for a fraction of the cost. Disney is a top dollar trip, very expensive, but I appreciate it for what it means to the world. Factor in admission, possible upgrade experiences, food and drinks all day long, and gift shops, it will cost a small fortune.
Despite all that, it is without a doubt something you should do once or twice in your life. Here is the big question. How do you relax and enjoy your dream day at the theme park if you don’t know for sure you are not interacting with people with the virus? All it takes is one person there out of the thousands who you come across. The rules state you should not enter if you have any of 11 symptoms listed. Do you really think that will stop someone who has planned this trip for a long time? Does anyone really know if they have been in contact with asymptomatic people in the past 14 days? The Coronavirus has changed everything. From the Disney theme park experience all the way to the COVID-19 version of the 2020 Kentucky Derby.
Disney During The Virus
Let’s face it- Disney may never be the same. Will it be magical? It is everything we DON’T want it to be right now. NO social distancing, people walking around you, by you, with you, waiting in line somewhere near you. Wearing masks all day long is tough in brutally hot and humid weather. Young kids are exhausted running around the park all day as it is, with a mask on they will be miserable. Yes, it is the happiest place on earth, but is it when you are always thinking about the virus? When you park how will you get to the park entrance? Shuttles normally are packed. Monorails and buses will have the same issue. Will the wait times be much longer for transportation , food and rides due to limited capacity? As parks prepare to open, more Disney vacationers are stressing about travel plans amidst pandemic conditions. Many travelers are unsure whether to feel safe, if they should still travel, and what precautions they should follow. Without a doubt, Disney wants to capitalize now on the summer season when families usually travel. Not so sure it is the right plan considering public safety issues.
The Return Of International & Out-Of-State Travelers
As you prepare for post-COVID travel, you need to know about the return of far-traveling visitors. Will the international customers come? Will out-of-state residents fly to Orlando? Florida residents seem to be a safe bet to return early on. Expect aggressive marketing campaigns to draw those locals back early and often.
We need to analyze how this is all going to work. Disney keeps talking about reopening plans but always needs to prepare to delay that based on current health conditions. The trends for illnesses change by the week. They not only have to be concerned about the safety of the visitors, but also the thousands of employees potentially exposed at all the theme parks, gift shops, restaurants and offices.
Disney Cruises & International Destinations
There seems to be more questions than answers at this point. The situation is fluid and can change many times. Virus conditions in Florida, California, Shanghai, Tokyo, Paris, Disney cruises out of Florida and all of the other Disney locations are all different, which make it very complicated. All Disney cruises have been suspended until September 15th at the earliest. 255 people on the Disney Wonder have tested positive for COVID since March 1st. As cruises are experiencing shut downs nationwide, many Disney-goers are wndering about the cruise travel predictions post Coronavirus. Each individual location will have to make its own decision. No decision will be uniform corporate-wide.
The Possible Return Of Disney Parks
The great news is that Disney fans have pent-up demand. They want to get out and have fun again, they want to do family vacations again. Disney is normally the choice for all of that. Expectations will also be very high for the same or similar experience that they are used to.
When the Disney theme park of your choice finally reopens, you may not recognize it. Disney World and Disneyland Paris just opened up in mid-July. Mobile ordering of all food and beverages needs to be done instead of standing in long lines. Mask wearing is mandatory while you are running around in less than ideal weather conditions on most days. Enforced social distancing with signs everywhere telling you where to stand in line, even in the bathrooms and gift shops. Limited capacity in all areas, including the parks. Limited dining options? Maybe 25% to 50% capacity instead of packed to the gills?
They are planning “rest areas” where you can have a drink and take off your mask for a few minutes. You will definitely see hand sanitizer and hand washing everywhere.
Current Disney Reopenings
One place that opened months ago is Disney Springs. Masks are required and they check your temperature. You have to wait to get into stores based on occupancy. Doesn’t that sound like fun?
Disney in Shanghai has opened up with online reservations only with limited capacity. They are doing temperature screenings and have closed down all interactive activities, children’s play areas, shows in their theatres, and no photo opportunities with characters. Shanghai Disney, which is 43% owned by Disney, will have contactless payment solutions, masks for everyone 11 years and older, sanitizing and hand washing stations everywhere, and online reservations for admittance to the park. Disneyland in California cap capacity as well. For Disney World you will have to make reservations for dining by phone. No more online. Cashless payment options are now preferred. Germ-filled currency is high risk and unnecessary to take.
Disney Water Parks
Walt Disney World has reopened one of the most popular water parks, Typhoon Lagoon, two years after being shut down due to COVID. Disney visitors will be able to enjoy the lazy river, wave pool and water coaster. However, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park still remains closed. At this time, you do not need to reserve a spot to visit Typhoon Lagoon, though, requirements may change as COVID continues.
Predictions For The Future
In the future, will you have to make reservations to go to a park? Will your entrance ticket be for certain hours instead of all day- all night? That might be the way Disney can make money by charging many customers with turnover throughout the day. How does this affect annual passes and multi-day passes? They will probably have to extend the dates of the annual passes because of all the closures. Special events like the Halloween and Christmas events are up in the air. For those to be profitable you need to fill the park and you know that can’t happen. Parades and fireworks shows may be eliminated to avoid massive crowds at the end of the night all leaving at the same time. Character Meet and Greets are history. Of course, Disney has health restrictions just like there are COVID health restrictions in Miami.
Pricing Concerns
Here is the BIG question. If you charge regular pricing will the customer come? They are definitely getting a more subdued experience and definitely not the experience they have been accustomed to. Can Disney afford to discount if they are only filling half the park? Disney parks historically do not discount at all.
Rides will need to go half empty for distancing. Normally the on-premises hotels offer incredible perks like early admission and if you purchase in gift shops they delivered to your room. How will all this change?
Obviously if Disney still plans to charge full price that may be a risk. They may discount ancillary items like hotel rooms, and other discounts when you are out of the park and in a Disney hotel. They will need to get creative and aggressive. They have just come out with a 4 day pass for $ 49 per day for Florida residents. Attendance must be disappointing if they are willing to be that aggressive.
Face Covering Regulations
With more Disney parks planning on opening up again very soon, it is essential to research the specific face covering restrictions. Being that Disney is an incredibly busy, high traffic amusement park, there are several restrictions you must follow. The thin, flimsy mask you wear to the grocery store still may not be enough to enter the Disney park. If you plan on visiting, familiarize yourself with the specific guidelines. First, anybody over the ages of two, including Disney staff members, must wear a face covering. The mask must fully cover your nose and mouth. Coverings must fit snugly so that you can be fully covered, while remaining hands-free. Required masks must be secured with ties or ear loops to ensure they are secured and fastened at the same time. Disney World had to change their mask policy soon after opening. Now you cannot take off your mask to eat or drink while walking around.
Should You Feel Safe?
Even with the stringent rules and regulations in place, many travelers are still worried on whether or not they should feel safe. Ultimately, deciding on whether or not to vacation during the pandemic is at the discretion of the traveler. Of course, Disney parks, hotels, restaurants, and travel companies are taking the required precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. However, these daily precautions can never fully eliminate the chance of contracting the virus. If you are contemplating visiting the Disney parks, beware that employee temperatures are checked prior to the start of their shift. If employees have a temperature exceeding 100.4 degrees, they are immediately sent home. At the same time, employees that have displayed any flu-like systems are additionally required to stay home. Furthermore, Disney Park officials are committed to wiping down railings, rides, and other frequently touched surfaces as frequently as possible. Before booking your vacation, consider whether or not you will feel safe in the park.
Remember that if you do not feel safe, you should leave immediately, regardless of if you already paid. Ultimately, your safety and peace of mind is more valuable than the cost of a ticket. If this is the case, try experiencing some other local attractions as well. For example, you can always visit Florida Space Coast and Kennedy Space Center.
COVID Character Interaction
Amidst the virus, there are changing regulations for character interaction at Disney Parks. Meeting Mickie and Minnie Mouse, along with all the Disney Princesses has always been a favorite for children visiting Disney Parks. These character interactions were an essential component of family vacations visiting Disney. Unfortunately, up close interactions have been placed on hold throughout the Coronavirus. You will still be able to see your favorite Disney characters from a distance. However, you will not be able to receive the same up-close interactions, hugs, high-fives, and signatures. Currently, at Disney Springs, only the Storm Trooper characters are available performing these modified interactions.
Positive Changes At Disney
Of course, there are many positive changes that can be expected at Disney after the shutdown reopening. First and foremost, the Cinderella Castle has gone bold, flashing new colors of purple, regal, and gold. To help you remember, the castle used to be mainly light grey and pale blue. This was done in honor of the Cinderella movie turning 70 in 2021. Certainly, the royal makeover of Disney’s staple castle will be a positive change to look forward to as you prepare for the post-COVID theme park experience.
You see many more questions than answers. Time will tell over the next few years how this will play out. You may even see Disney locations close and reopen a few times based on the threat of the virus affecting their immediate area. The virus will decide how many years the happiest place on earth will be affected. Ultimately the consumer will make that decision. If demand is lower than expected due to COVID spikes and COVID-19 travel advisories, the company will have no choice but to shut down again.
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