Recently, the NBA indicated that they were looking at bringing the NBA season to Walt Disney World and Wide World of Sports. For basketball fans like Brian and Guy, this is a match made in heaven, and they couldn’t wait to talk about the possibility of it happening. Did you miss their live broadcast? No worries–we’ve got you covered. Check out the recording here.
What are your thoughts about the NBA at Walt Disney World? Is this something you’d be excited to have happen, even if you wouldn’t be able to see it in person? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Today, the Walt Disney World Resort shared their initial plans for reopening the theme parks to the Orange County Economic Task Force. With a proposed reopening of July 11 for both Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom and July 15 for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot, the question that was quickly asked is what about the resorts. Well, we have a bit more information regarding that piece of the puzzle.
According to the Disney Parks Blog, at this time, due to the fact that the parks will see reduced capacity when they officially let Guests return, the Walt Disney World Resort is temporarily pausing new Disney Resort hotel reservations so that there can be a focus on those Guests with existing tickets and reservations. With that being said, beginning June 22, Disney Vacation Club resorts at Walt Disney World will reopen to members and Guests, as well as Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. For those who would like to visit some of the other Disney Vacation Club resorts in either Vero Beach, Florida, and Hilton Head, South Carolina, they will be re-opening to members and Guests starting on June 15.
For those looking to stay at the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels overall, they will officially reopen on July 11.
To keep Guests as safe as possible, plans will be put in place to support required physical distancing. In addition, there will be enhanced cleaning measures, along with a number of other safety and cleanliness protocols that will be implemented as part of this planned phased reopening based upon applicable guidance from health authorities and government agencies. Also, Cast Members as well as guests 3 years of age and older will be required to wear appropriate face coverings not only in the theme parks, but also in common areas of resort hotels.
Additional information on enhanced health and safety measures and operational changes for reopening locations will be shared soon. Do keep in mind that these policies are subject to change as conditions are monitored and updated guidance has been received from health and government authorities.
Today, the Walt Disney Company submitted its plan to the Orange County Economic Task Force in an effort to re-open the Walt Disney World Resort following the coronavirus closure. During this meeting, it was announced that the Walt Disney World Resort would be reopening on a phased reopening schedule beginning in July.
The first parks to reopening will be the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom beginning on July 11. Then, on July 15, EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be reopening to Guests.
According to the report given to the Orange County Economic Task Force Meeting, there will be a number of things that both Guests and Cast Members will need to adhere to in order to enter the parks. Here is what we know so far:
First, there will be significant limits on attendance. To make sure that this occurs, in order to enter the theme parks, you will need to sign up via an advance reservation system. Disney did not share how that reservation system would work initially, however they did share that they would release that information at a later date.
There will be enhanced protective measures put in place. For example, the parks will be requiring face coverings for Cast Members and Guests, and putting an emphasis on hand washing. In addition, there will be sanitation stations available for Guests and there will be and physical barriers where appropriate. For example, Guests will find plexiglass at retail and restaurant locations where social distancing cannot be maintained.
There will be physical distancing and capacity limits enabled at the theme parks, restaurants, retail, attractions, buses, monorails, and other transportation modes. In addition, parades, fireworks, and other events that create crowds will be suspended for the time being.
Of course, there will be an emphasis on enhanced cleaning both onstage and backstage across high touch locations and surfaces.
Guests and Cast Members will need to have their temperatures taken via contactless handheld devices.
There will also be a reduction of Guest and Cast Member contact points. These will include things like putting an emphasis on increasing mobile food ordering, pausing meet and greets with characters, not allowing Guests to enjoy play areas that can be found throughout the park, and contactless payments (like ApplePay, MagicBands, etc).
As Guests get ready to head to the parks, they will see “Know Before You Go” messages provided so they are aware of the new safety protocols. Cast Members will also be on hand to regularly communicate new protocols via the Social Distancing Squad who are there to inspire Guests to follow guidelines. Finally, there will also be signage found throughout the resort reinforcing these messages.
This plan, while approved by the task force, has not yet been approved by the Mayor or the Governor of Florida.
From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: News, Walt Disney World (FL), coronavirus, Orange County Economic Task Force Meeting, walt disney world
We recently looked at ways Disney might use to enforce social distancing at the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios when they begin phased openings at the parks. Today we’re looking at how social distancing might work at Epcot.
As with the other parks, for safety purposes, we’ll assume that guests and cast members are all wearing appropriate face coverings, sanitizer and hand wash stations are readily available, and vehicles are cleaned on a regular, frequent schedule. Another huge area of consideration is the management of queues for rides, which are currently universally configured with guests close together. We’ll assume for now that there will be a virtual queue management system in place, perhaps something like the way Rise of the Resistance boarding was managed prior to closing.
[Please note: I have NO inside information about Disney’s reopening plans, timing, or procedures. These are my thoughts only.]
Epcot poses perhaps the most challenges with social distancing. While the park is large, it’s not particularly ride-heavy. Lots of pull of Epcot is shopping and dining, things that are harder to do in a distanced fashion. And I can barely imagine how the ubiquitous Epcot festivals might be handled. Will they obsessively clean the tops of the many trash cans that guests use as Festival tables?
FUTURE WORLD
Awesome Planet
A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.
Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.
Journey Into Imagination
Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle.
Living with the Land
The Living with the Land boats could have one party per row, with rows skipped between parties.
Mission Space Green/Orange
Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle. This attraction is nearly enclosed, with guests touching many surfaces as part of the experience. Extra cleaning attention will be warranted.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per clamshell, perhaps leaving every other shell empty.
Soarin’ Around the World
Social distancing might be achieved by loading the attraction at 50% capacity, leaving empty seats between parties.
Spaceship Earth
Spaceship Earth was scheduled to close this week for a lengthy reimagination and refurbishment. Given that Disney’s budget has been hard hit by the extended park closures, it may be that Spaceship Earth remains in its current form for the time being. If this is the case, social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle.
Test Track
Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle. The touch-intensive preshow area (where guests build their own cars) might be temporarily eliminated.
Turtle Talk with Crush
A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.
WORLD SHOWCASE
The American Adventure
A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.
Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along and Impressions de France
A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.
Canada Far and Wide In Circle-Vision 360
Guests stand for this attraction, tending to move around slightly and leaning on the railings. A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. I suspect that areas of the carpet will be taped off, with guests asked to stand only in specified zones.
Frozen Ever After
The Frozen boats could have one party per row, with rows skipped between parties.
Gran Fiesta Tour
The Gran Fiesta boats could have one party per row, with rows skipped between parties.
Reflections of China
Guests stand for this attraction, tending to move around slightly and leaning on the railings. A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. I suspect that areas of the carpet will be taped off, with guests asked to stand only in specified zones.
Of course, even if methods like these do take place, we have countless other questions about character greetings, stage shows, fireworks, shopping, dining, and more. We’re looking forward to seeing what happens. Do you have any theories or predictions? Feel free to share them in the comments.
We recently looked at ways Disney might use to enforce social distancing at the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom when they begin phased openings at the parks. Today we’re looking at how social distancing might work at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
As with the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, for safety purposes, we’ll assume that guests and cast members are all wearing appropriate face coverings, sanitizer and hand wash stations are readily available, and vehicles are cleaned on a regular, frequent schedule. Another huge area of consideration is the management of queues for rides, which are currently universally configured with guests close together. We’ll assume for now that there will be a virtual queue management system in place, perhaps something like the way Rise of the Resistance boarding was managed prior to closing.
[Please note: I have NO inside information about Disney’s reopening plans, timing, or procedures. These are my thoughts only.]
Alien Swirling Saucers
Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle.
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.
Disney Junior Dance Party
The Disney Junior Dance Party is a theater-style performance, but rather than fixed seating, most guests sit on the floor, with periods of standing for dance breaks. Even with reduced capacity loading of the attraction, the nebulous use of space could be problematic. This might be possible to run if there were something like circles painted on the floor, with guests asked to stay within their own circle. However, my guess is that this attraction will not open during the first phase of reopening the park.
A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
The Millennium Falcon attraction seats six guests per capsule. Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle. However, the attraction is really meant to run fully loaded, with two pilots, two engineers, and two gunners, all pushing lots of buttons. The capsules will have to be cleaned between each use. We’ll be watching this one closely.
Muppet*Vision 3D
A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.
The use of 3D glasses for this attraction is a possible issue. Rather than grabbing glasses out of bin themselves, gloved cast members might hand glasses to individual guests. Glasses are sanitized after each use.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle.
Slinky Dog Dash
Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per slinky segment.
Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
The main Rise of the Resistance vehicles could manage social distancing by loading only one large or two very small parties per vehicle. What’s more problematic is the several pre-show rooms, some of which are quite small, as well as the narrow hallway loading areas. Maximum capacity would have to be significantly less than 50% to allow for guests to maintain distance.
Toy Story Midway Mania
Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle.
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Social distancing could be achieved by loading elevators at less than 50% capacity with space between and around parties.
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.
Of course, even if methods like these do take place, we have countless other questions about character greetings, castle stage shows, parades, fireworks, shopping, dining, and more. We’re looking forward to seeing what happens. Do you have any theories or predictions? Feel free to share them in the comments.
