Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[xuxa777]

News

Knotts Berry Farm extending 2020 annual passes through the end of 2021.

https://www.knotts.com/passholder-update

Very nice precedent to set, hope Disney picks it up

 

[The Pho]

Very nice precedent to set, hope Disney picks it up

I think that’s too drastic a move for Disney. I’m just hoping the rest of Cedar Fair follows Suit. Maybe Six Flags since they have the same pass structure, although they seem to be doing nothing for their passholders. Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld have an easier system to just extend by the days closed. Granted this move was very unexpected and generous so hopefully other follow.

 

[Jrb1979]

I think that’s too drastic a move for Disney. I’m just hoping the rest of Cedar Fair follows Suit. Maybe Six Flags since they have the same pass structure, although they seem to be doing nothing for their passholders. Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld have an easier system to just extend by the days closed. Granted this move was very unexpected and generous so hopefully other follow.

I can see the rest of Cedar Fair follow suit. Six Flags I doubt as they are hurting for money. The only thing I heard Six Flags is doing is free upgrades to memberships.

 

[The Pho]

I can see the rest of Cedar Fair follow suit. Six Flags I doubt as they are hurting for money. The only thing I heard Six Flags is doing is free upgrades to memberships.

Memberships are getting a good deal out of it. Extended month and an upgrade. Passholders are getting extended days based on closures, but they haven’t really provided much detail on what exactly they’re extending there. But on my end, I paid less than a day ticket for a 2 year season pass, so I’ve gotten well beyond my value even if they give nothing.

 

[mshanson3121]

The world is not going to shut down for a year. The goal is to get all areas of the country past what will be the high parts of the curve to get to the point that the medical system won’t crash when we return to a somewhat normal life. This needed to be done, but we can’t keep the country shutdown past the point where the stress on the medical system would be no greater with the return to normal life than a bad seasonal flu season would be.

While I don't disagree about the world not shutting down for a year, I think you need to remember that Disney is not the world. Disney is a non-essential businesses in the grand scheme of things, and the parks will be one of the last things to reopen. So while yes, businesses will start opening up again this summer, again, it will likely be a gradual, staged opening, and that first stage definitely will not include Disney parks.

The most important thing to work on now is an antibody test. Much evidence suggests that there is a massive percentage of people that contract the virus that never develop any symptoms. When we find how much this has actually already spread through the society we will be much better prepared to make an informed decision about how we go about returning to normal life.

The problem being they still don't know how long antibodies/immunity lasts, or if they'll be effective if the virus mutates. There's also some question on reinfection. So an antibody test isn't a guarantee that person is safe, either. It might be effective initially, this summer/fall when things are trying to open back up, but in 6 months, a year?? Maybe not.

I'm concerned that the social distancing and lockdowns are just going to move the big spike to mid to late fall. The initial report that got the governments moving on everything showed that very thing based on 3 months of distancing and closures.

Yes, this has been discussed as a possibility - that the harder you hit it now with restrictions, means that the second wave might actually be worse. I know that has been discussed for Canada. But they did say a lot will depend on how we see it go in the Asian countries, who did a much better job of shutting things down than North America.

“Trump also said he hopes to have fans back in stadiums and arenas by August and September, sources said, though it is currently unclear if medical experts find that to be a realistic timeline amid the current coronavirus pandemic.”

No fans in stadiums = no Disney

Agree. If sports aren't open to fans, theme parks won't be open to fans. And if the medical experts aren't even sure if that's possible by September... I know the discussion has moved from a spring re-opening to a summer re-opening, but I think people need to start realizing that Disney parks may not reopen until late this year (well into the fall), if at all.

 

[Lewisc]

Let’s stray back on topic. I love sports but that’s not the topic. Thanks!

Disney couldn't open with instructions to avoid "crowds" of more then 10. Disney would have to dramatically change operations if the rule was under 50. Disney could only open, normally, if open air sporting events were allowed.

That suggests even July 4 may be a reach.

 

[mmackeymouse]

I regret starting to read this thread. It's like this rabbit hole that you can't stop yourself going down, and the bad news/predictions just keeps getting worse and worse and worse.

I understand that Disney doesn't know what Disney doesn't know. But, I sure wish they would make a decision. And, if they don't think it's going to be till July or August or September, tell us! So, then people can start preparing and planning ahead. I don't want to have hope, when I could be re-scheduling and DOING. Like many of you, I'm a doer. I don't get too stressed, as long as I can be useful and do something.

 

[yankeesfan123]

We can't continue keeping everything closed for another 18 months, which is the bare minimum for even the most rushed and risky vaccine to be introduced to the public. The world's economy won't survive. More people worldwide would die from hunger, lack of access to medical care and medications, than would die from the virus. Children would be damagaed by missing over a year of education and by missing their developmentally needed socialization (especially children who already have developmental delays). No, sorry, but the steps being taken now just aren't sustainable until a vaccine comes out. At some point within the next few months, policy will have to shirft towards the high risk groups remaining in isolation, while everyone else gets back to normal life.

I think you’ll see the world opening back up in phases. Unfortunately for people on this board, large gatherings for entertainment purposes will be the last thing to get back to “normal”.

 

[DavidHobart]

I regret starting to read this thread. It's like this rabbit hole that you can't stop yourself going down, and the bad news/predictions just keeps getting worse and worse and worse.

I understand that Disney doesn't know what Disney doesn't know. But, I sure wish they would make a decision. And, if they don't think it's going to be till July or August or September, tell us! So, then people can start preparing and planning ahead. I don't want to have hope, when I could be re-scheduling and DOING. Like many of you, I'm a doer. I don't get too stressed, as long as I can be useful and do something.

Despite the often comically firm opinions of many on this thread, in fact no one knows.

Epidemiologists don't have anything like the clean data at any level of the inputs to make tight assumptions in their models, and the uncertainties get doubled through each doubling round of the growth curve. And then all the models aren't just math, but also based on guesses about the effectiveness of our responses as individuals, which can drive R-effective well below 2 and even below 1. No one knows much about the enduring level of immunity. No one, believe it or not, even knows what your chances of being infected by a contaminated surface are--there is some data on how long the virus lives on various surfaces, but that's only part of the equation.

There is no secret store of insight that belongs to the Governor of Virginia, the mayor of Toronto, Disney, the NFL, or anyone else. Any prediction that begins with anything other "while know one knows, my best guess is..." is sketchy..

 

[Disney Bobby]

Maybe they can reopen. With the magic bands, just include some magic face masks and some magic gloves.

 

[jade1]

Maybe they can reopen. With the magic bands, just include some magic face masks and some magic gloves.

Here we go. I want a Pluto mask.

 

[mshanson3121]

Here we go. I want a Pluto mask.

The newest addition to the Disney store. Seriously - any bets here on if they do this? Lol

 

[OnceUponATime15]

People have been cooped up too long... too much tv, too steady a diet of news, news, news... too much time to think & dwell. Too many hours online pouring over the trends & articles. No judgement here, I’ve often been known to do exactly these things. Truth is after 3 weeks on lock down I need to figure out a better existence. I want a bit of control in a situation that has imposed itself on me.

Time to create a new routine, one that limits the amount of constant grim & often scary news.
So.. maybe a long drive, pick up a coffee or some ice cream from a drive thru & enjoy it! Take a walk.. but practice social distancing, do things within the constraints that help life feel a bit more normal. Surviving this, sanity intact means adapting.

Happy Sunday folks!

 

[MassJester]

They stayed open very well into the pandemic this time with little to no negative press.

1. People are allowed to assume risk and can return if they want.
2. When the second wave hits it will hit just like this one with enough time to plan for shutdown again.

There’s no reason they can’t open for awhile and then close again when needed.

I'm not sure I agree. There are additional unemployment, (re)training, and material costs (food and perishable supplies) associated with a startup / stop / startup strategy. That are impactful.

 

[Jrb1979]

People have been cooped up too long... too much tv, too steady a diet of news, news, news... too much time to think & dwell. Too many hours online pouring over the trends & articles. No judgement here, I’ve often been known to do exactly these things. Truth is after 3 weeks on lock down I need to figure out a better existence. I want a bit of control in a situation that has imposed itself on me.

Time to create a new routine, one that limits the amount of constant grim & often scary news.
So.. maybe a long drive, pick up a coffee or some ice cream from a drive thru & enjoy it! Take a walk.. but practice social distancing, do things within the constraints that help life feel a bit more normal. Surviving this, sanity intact means adapting.

Happy Sunday folks!

I wish I could do those things. Here in Ontario where I live those things are frowned upon. Our Premier told everyone yesterday for everyone to stay home.

 

[mickeymom629]

With the magic bands, just include some magic face masks and some magic gloves.

I have thought that, whenever they reopen, this would be great! I also think Disney is thinking of these ideas, but not as give-a-ways. And, of course, the factories to make them need to be open...

I am of the group that thinks it will be a long time until they can reopen. And I don't see it happening in phases, but who knows.

 

[MommyinHonduras]

I think we need to move away from the all or nothing of the current season. I think it will be a year or more for those who need herd immunity/vaccines to be going to the parks. But as the numbers keep coming in and the models adjusting to be consistently under 1% mortality rate, places have to open. And when it will start small, by June/July most things will be open for most people including Disney. How many people are employed by Disney and how many others make a living because of Disney? We can not shut down the economy for a year, the economy is essential, and that Includes Disney. How our economy works will not look the same as 2019 and won't for at least two years, but it will be open with newly created norms. Masks, testing, a whole lot of hand washing and less touching, but open. Depending on actual numbers and how they follow the models as they keep adjusting, June 1st is a good projection based on today's data but of course will keep adjusting.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

I wish I could do those things. Here in Ontario where I live those things are frowned upon. Our Premier told everyone yesterday for everyone to stay home.

I live in Ontario (gta east). I listen to Doug Ford daily. I also listen to John Tory and watch the public health updates. My understanding is they will allow daily exercise as long as social distancing is being practiced - those caught not practicing social distancing face a $750 fine - for each infraction. The heavy rhetoric is aimed at those who flat out refuse to cooperate with the restrictions and continue to gather in groups without care or caution being practiced. There were allot of people out yesterday on the Beaches boardwalk.. being monitored by the TPS mounted division - social distancing or facing the fine.

 

[jlwhitney]

I think we need to move away from the all or nothing of the current season. I think it will be a year or more for those who need herd immunity/vaccines to be going to the parks. But as the numbers keep coming in and the models adjusting to be consistently under 1% mortality rate, places have to open. And when it will start small, by June/July most things will be open for most people including Disney. How many people are employed by Disney and how many others make a living because of Disney? We can not shut down the economy for a year, the economy is essential, and that Includes Disney. How our economy works will not look the same as 2019 and won't for at least two years, but it will be open with newly created norms. Masks, testing, a whole lot of hand washing and less touching, but open. Depending on actual numbers and how they follow the models as they keep adjusting, June 1st is a good projection based on today's data but of course will keep adjusting.

I will say for one thing I will not be going to Disney if masks are required.. If someone wants to wear one they can, but the heat and humidity, yeah not worth it, plus they only do so much and most people will never use them correctly.

 

[Jrb1979]

I live in Ontario (gta east). I listen to Doug Ford daily. I also listen to John Tory and watch the public health updates. My understanding is they will allow daily exercise as long as social distancing is being practiced - those caught not practicing social distancing face a $750 fine - for each infraction. The heavy rhetoric is aimed at those who flat out refuse to cooperate with the restrictions and continue to gather in groups without care or caution being practiced. There were allot of people out yesterday on the Beaches boardwalk.. being monitored by the TPS mounted division - social distancing or facing the fine.

Here in Niagara they have closed all walking places like the Toronto beaches Boardwalk. The way they have layed it out here is they only want you to walk around your neighborhood. I don't buy that it's heavy rhetoric. There is a reason they keep telling everyone to stay home.