The governor of Florida is all in to reopen the state, consequences meh.
So he asked the theme parks to submit their proposals for reopening. As you may know, Disney has a complex relationship with the state. And in general they don't take orders. They do what they want. The request to submit a proposal was met with an almost yawn.
Though of course the media ate it up because Disney was being asked for their plan. There was a palpable expectation and a little murmur.
For their part, Disney did come up with a general statement for both US parks, but was noncommittal on dates. And it wasn't a plan just a "hey we're looking into it..."
Meanwhile, sea world was trying out rides wearing masks and said they'd submit something soon. And universal jumped in and submitted its proposal to reopen, to the Orlando panel designated for such things. And that panel forwarded the plan on to the state.
But here's where it gets funny. The information about "Orlando area theme parks" submitting (or planning to submit) their proposals, along with a June 1st date for universal, was glommed up by the media as Disney has a plan to reopen on June 1st.
Which was not the case. But don't let facts get in the way! The stock market reacted to "disneys reopening" and disneys stock price rose before anyone noticed what they fundamentally got wrong.
Mostly silent, no one knows what Disney will do.
Meanwhile, there was an interesting thing that happened with the NBA. They really want to finish their season and host the playoffs. But they know they can't do it in front of fans, and using stadiums around the country, with travel and other factors, wasn't going to work.
So they've been tossing around this idea of playing "in a bubble" somewhere. This location would have to be able to have several courts in close proximity, and would have to have hotel space to host all of the teams and any staff.
What kind of place could do those things? A few weeks ago disney worlds "wide world of sports" was mentioned as a location. On their earnings call, Disney was asked about this, and they were naturally noncommittal but said they were looking at ways to do things to get games back on espn.
And now players are being told that there is going to be a warmup period starting in mid-June, and they may resume play in mid-to-late-July....somewhere but not in front of fans. And it will be in a single location.
Disney world is a natural fit, of course. The large "cheer facility" could have several courts to play on. There are lots of hotels. And the espn tie-in makes this easy in many ways.
And here's where it relates back to theme parks reopening. If this works out, you could essentially be reopening in a very controlled way. A way that benefits them as a corporation (see my previous comment about how disney does what they want) because there would a moderate number of rooms being used at whatever hotels they decide. You would need catering staff, bus drivers, and arena staff. You'd learn a lot about testing and controlling access.
And then espn wins because there would be games to show. And all the while it works as a big advertisement.
....and they don't have to actually open anything to the public at large. Maybe they take the teams on some specific rides and whatnot.
If everything goes well, this lasts for a month or two, then they gradually re-open some number of rooms and offer select groups of people to come and visit and maybe gives them a few rides, too.
Don't count out the fact that disney is masterful at putting spin on anything. "We've already reopened! Disney Springs is there! And we're going to merge sports and theme parks but don't want to expose other people from outside the bubble..."
And just like that everyone sees they are open again. Though, not really.
For us, as regular visitors, they surely will change all the rules to require reservations, limit entry, and raise prices.
Short. Sweet. To the point. That's the beauty Dave's iPhone.
