But also because I was involved with the Orlando naval training center shutdown back in the 90s. Watching those events and the endless meetings with all their formality just seemed, well, silly to me at the time. But there was prime real estate that had to be carved up and sold off for various uses (some for common good, some for profit), and the process had to at least appear fair.
This is similar in many ways, and the overall nature of it reminded of all the people I met with and talked to during the NTC days. Many saw it similar to the way I did, and would give me insights into the decision making process and how things would inevitably end up because you have a lot of influential players.
On the surface, Disney's plan seems a little aggressive time-wise, but as you listen to the details, maybe not.
Okay, first off, we already knew about the NBA, even though it wasn't specifically mentioned. They're resuming in July at disney world, and will take up some number of hotel rooms somewhere on property. So no matter what, that area will be ostensibly off limits. I imagine they will put them in a nice place (not the all-stars for example), and will consider that hotel and the wide world of sports unavailable.
I would also take away from the discussion that "for now" most of the (not so) value resorts will remain closed.
The reason is two-fold. First these are at the southern edge of disney, down by wide world of sports. They could be separated. And second, as I'll get to a minute, the "select groups" likely will include higher value customers.
On to the announcement and my take on it. Here goes.
The magic kingdom and animal kingdom will open on July 11th.
• That is after July 4th. It's still more than a month away giving time to figure out how it will all work through training, planning, and inviting a few select people (cast members, locals, etc) to see what works and what doesn't.
Epcot and studios open a few days later (July 15)
• Epcot has issues with international staffing so that still has to be worked out. Studios has the enormously popular new attraction and you have to see guest behavior before you consider opening it.
No fireworks, parades, shows, or character meet and greets, high touch areas are also closed
• this seemed like a no brainer as you want to make sure people don't crowd together.
Touchless, no contact options for everything - from checking in to food service will be used.
• he emphasized the magic band and being cashless. And clearly said that most things would be done in the disney experience app. You do not want people queuing up or interacting in a high touch way
• I see this as a bit of an issue. One of the best parts about disney is the castmember interaction. They are the magic. He made a point of saying they still are, but how curious that he emphasized that while telling us interactions will be curtailed.
Select attractions will be open, which can utilize a ride reservation system and you won't wait in a queue.
• first off, this changes the nature of immersive attractions and makes them "rides" ...
• there is also the matter of "select" coupled with no queues and general social distancing, that will further limit the number of available rides
• and everything will use ride reservations like "rise of the resistance" and each would have very limited capacity.
• no standby line was mentioned. And one would assume won't exist.
There was a vague statement about who will be on the guest list.
• this was an interesting comment. I took away from it that the parks won't be open to just anyone. Rather, they will choose people to invite early on
• there are a large number of DVC owners who they are contractually obligated to, and they typically spend more. It would make sense to include them first. You get the benefit of them not using housekeeping and because they are in studio type rooms, it limits some burdens on the food service.
• dvc members will be allowed to start making reservations for mid June to start using points and having a vacation of sorts, so this fits in the hypothesis.
Reservations will be required to enter the park
• related to the above point, if you have to go online to reserve a reservation just to enter the park, it's easy to make few - or no - spots available to locals, annual pass holders, or day guests - at whatever level they choose. I would assume it would favor those who are dvc, or those who make a reservation to stay at a deluxe resort. And we'll never know.
• the assumed max capacity of the magic kingdom is 100,000. On a more typical day it might be lower, more like 80,000. If you took maybe 20% of that to start, that would set an upper limit of 16,000 people in the park for attractions that are open. I would argue the other parks are a little lower. In any case, no more than about 15,000 people per day in any park. That's small and reservations would be gone quickly.
• they didn't say hours of operations or whether there would be a limited time guests can visit. For example, I wonder if they might have people staged at entrance. So your reservation time to come in as at 10, or noon, or whatever. Or if there will be a 4 hour window to visit and then they usher you out and bring in another group.
Face masks must be worn at all times in public spaces, and regular hand washing is recommended. And of course social distancing will be enforced.
• this is the hardest one for people to rally around. Why we argue about this is beyond me. But in any event. July, August in Orlando in a face mask doesn't sound like fun. But it's your choice.
• he also talked about a "social distancing squad" who will help remind guests about the expected behavior in "an enthusiastic way"
There was a discussion about how guests will be reminded about "the rules" before they arrive and while they are there
• quite clearly in the presentation, they showed a sign they will be putting up. Like the one posted at Disney Springs it reads "enter at your own risk. We assume no liability if you get sick" (but worded in a more disney way).
• the other part I took away is that is disneys private property. You are agreeing to abide by the rules and the "social distancing team" will be on the lookout for perpetual offenders, or people who choose to flaunt the rules. What they didn't say, but implied: failure to adhere will get you escorted from the park, and removed from disney property. (Remember that has always been true, now they're taking it to a new level)
Bus transportation will be available, but in a limited capacity.
• monorails are harder to manage because of the queues and wait times. Plus you would need someone monitoring the cars. My assumption is that they will be closed.
• the skyliner will also remain closed for similar reasons.
• watercraft also might be closed.
• it's unknown what the bus capacity might be or how often they come. But this will be interesting. Perhaps they'll select families or groups of families to board? Or maybe use the reservation time at a park as a scheduled bus time?
• most other activities (water parks, mini golf, etc) were not on the list for re-opening. So you'd have no reason to take a bus there. There's no park hopping. So it does seem more likely specific bus trips would be planned and tied to reservations.
Social distancing will be observed in restaurants, and something about select ones being open
• he didn't say it, but it seems like most sit down type restaurants will be closed for now. Buffets are absolutely closed.
• I would think that since mobile ordering, touchless type of things would be available, that this would be more like quick service restaurants as primary options for food.
• tables will be organized in a way to let families sit together, away from other families.
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And of course this means a very different experience, should you decide to go. This is not the disney world we left in March. And who knows if it will ever be that way again?
This is a very controlled situation. You come to the resort. You have a time to go to the park and see this, this, and this. Bus is there and takes you over. You do those things on the schedule. In the times between you get some food. And then you leave at a specified time by bus. And that's it. Otherwise enjoy the hotel and the pool.
I would imagine that once they kick this off, 15,000 at each park would be overly optimistic. The "crowds" will likely be smaller.
So yes they have the plan for a phased re-opening. All plans subject to change as needed, whether it's because the nature of the virus, guest reaction, or another reason, this may (or may not) be the norm for some period of time.
Good on them that they are making an effort. But the devil is in those details. And I imagine there will be guests who will complain loudly that it's too early, or too much, or too little.
Whaddya gonna do? 🤷🏼♂️
