On Friday June 26, 2020, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation declared that bars could not longer sell alcohol for on-premise consumption. You may have seen headlines that declare that Florida has banned the sale of alcohol – this is not true. The ban is on businesses whose revenue is comprised of 50% or more from the sale of alcohol. For such establishments they can still operate, but all drinks must be to-go, or for the consumption off-premises.
So what does this mean for Disney Springs? It means practically every bar at Disney can still serve alcohol for consumption, on its premises, because the majority of bars at Disney Springs are part of a restaurant, whose main source of revenue is food. It also means that many are pivoting to focus on to-go beverages.
Disney Springs Outdoor Bars Remain Open for To-Go Drinks
Raglan Road To-Go Bar
Places like Raglan Road and Pizza Pointe at Enzo’s have amplified their to-go drinks presence, including Fruit and Wine Popsicles at Pizza Pointe. Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen recently opened an expanded outdoor dining and bar space, called Shine Bar + Social, which remains open and ready to serve both on-premise or to-go.
Disney Springs Outdoor Bars Remain Open for To-Go DrinksHomecomin’ Outdoor Shine Bar Is Open June 2020Homecomin’ Outdoor Shine Bar Is Open June 2020
Other places like Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar – which had just reopened, have now closed. While I have not seen Jock Lindsey’s profit and loss statement, it would be easy to assume that alcohol is their primary revenue source. And, with the ban in place it may be more trouble than it is worth to have this venue open. Dockside Margaritas is also closed, as there is no food served here, and while to-go drinks could be an option, it may not be worth it.
Fruit and Wine Popsicles at Pizza PointeJock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Closed June 2020
All in all, not much is missing from the drinking and dining scene at Disney Springs even with the on-premise ban in place. If anything, there seems to be an increase in to-go drinks.
Where’s your favorite place to grab a drink at Disney Springs?
“Welcome Home” is a phrase that used to be very special to me. As a Disney Vacation Club Cast Member for years it was a special phrase reserved for DVC Members. Then Disney began rolling it out everywhere, and its meaning lost its luster. Well, now that select Disney Vacation Club Resorts have reopened yesterday, “Welcome Home” is once again very special.
You may be wondering what it is like inside the DVC accommodations now that cleanliness and health is of the absolute most importance. Take a look at some of our photos as our field research team checked into a Bay Lake Tower Deluxe Studio for the first night of regular operations at Disney’s Bay Lake Tower.
Here are some of the highlights of the precautions taken inside the rooms. These are similar to measures that other big hotel brands around the country are taking as well.
Decorative linens and pillows have been removed
Utensils are still in the room, with extra cleaning measures taken
Plates, bowls, and cups are disposable and individually wrapped
Remote controls are sanitized and wrapped
A sign in the kitchenette area points out high contact areas at which extra cleaning has taken place
A letter is included that describes the cleanliness measures and amenities available
Certain extra amenities, like a pack and play crib or high chair, are no longer in the closets, but are available by request
Welcome Home Cleanliness and Amenity Letter Bay Lake Tower StudioBay Lake Tower Studio Bed and Couch Lack of Extra Linens June 2020Bay Lake Tower Studio Bed Lack of Extra Linens June 2020Utensils and Coffee CondimentsIndividually Wrapped Cups Plates and Bowls Bay Lake Tower StudioEnhanced Cleaning Sign inside Bay Lake Tower StudioCovered Remotes in Bay Lake Tower Studio June 2020
If you’re researching for your potential Walt Disney World vacation then check out our free TouringPlans Room Finder. This tool will help you find the ideal rooms for your stay based on your specific needs such as views or proximity to the elevator.
What do you think of some of the changes inside the rooms?
From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disney Vacation Club, Resorts, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, disney covid-19, disney reopening
Over a month ago I put together a list of my own theories, and theories from many others, about what procedures would be in place whenever Walt Disney World’s theme parks reopen. We received a lot of feedback on our “What Will Walt Disney World Be Like When It Reopens?” post. Since that time, Disney Springs reopened and we got a glimpse of the new temporary reality. Now, the big announcement has come. We can compare the theories we discussed to the reality that will come true in mid-July.
It is important to note that procedures and policies will change as the situation evolves.
Walt Disney World Theme Park Reopening Protocols
By Reservation Only – TRUE (!!!)
This is a big announcement. When I wrote about the parks being accessible only by making a reservation to visit on a specific day, I wasn’t 100% convinced it would come true. Alas, Disney did announce that they are implementing a new reservation system for entry into the theme parks. Personally, I am very glad that the Disney parks will be reservation only. Doing so has a lot of positive implications. Obviously it allows for capacity control. But, it also means guest buy-in and education. Guests who make a reservation to visit the parks on a certain day or days will have committed to their plans. And, one can expect Disney to have a terms and conditions section which would review the safety policies. Maybe even guests will have to acknowledge that they will abide by these policies.
One Orlando attraction is already by reservation only: SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove. Perhaps there are some examples of this system that Disney will follow. There will be lots more information about Disney’s theme park reservation system to come, so stay tuned.
Reduced Capacity of the Disney Theme Parks – TRUE
A month and a half after I wrote about this theory, it seems obvious that yes, Disney will indeed have reduced capacity. Disney has not shared what the capacity looks like exactly, nor should anyone expect them to. As described in this CNBC recap of its interview with Bob Chapek immediately following the announcement of the proposed opening dates: Disney CEO Bob Chapek declined to provide a specific breakdown of its capacity reduction on CNBC’s “Squawk Alley” Wednesday, noting that there is no governmental guideline like there is in China. He did say the company would adhere to the CDC’s 6 foot social distancing guidelines when limiting attendance.
Controlled Directional Flow Throughout Disney Property – TRUE
In the original post I discussed the potential for Disney to control traffic flow throughout the property. I mused that Disney might even go so far as to control traffic flow throughout the park, like they do during parade time for example. There was nothing about such specific plans in their presentation and announcement. However, Disney Springs already has directional flow implemented in certain high traffic areas, small areas, and certain retail locations have designated entrances and exits.
Walt Disney World Health and Safety Protocols
All Hands Off Deck and Cleaning Stations – TRUE
We already saw this partially come true during the final days of operation at Walt Disney World, and now, with Disney Springs open we’ve seen hand sanitizing and washing stations added. In addition to these new mobile hand cleaning stations, there is increased signage and reminders about the importance of sanitizing and cleaning. Disney announced that high touch areas such as playgrounds would remain closed and certain water effects would be turned off.
Hand sanitizer station at signage at Disney Springs
Reduced Shows, Attractions, and Character Experiences – TRUE
In our original post, the potential closure and reduction of high touch areas and activities was discussed. This is coming to pass as Disney announced all character meet and greet experiences would become an appearance and interactions from a distance. The possible closure of certain shows and other experiences was also mentioned. Disney states that this would be the case with reopening as well. What we didn’t touch on in our original post was the possible suspension of parades or fireworks. Disney has shared that for the time being parades and fireworks will not resume. You can imagine what a social distancing disaster it would be otherwise.
Required Masks and Temperature Screening – TRUE
It comes as no surprise that temperature screenings and face coverings or masks are required for attendance at Walt Disney World theme parks. After all, they are required at Disney Springs and will be required at both SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Orlando upon reopening of their theme parks. Temperature screenings at Disney Springs are conducted by one of Florida’s largest healthcare and hospital providers, AdventHealth. What I did not anticipate was the possibility of what Disney is calling “relaxation zones.” To be clear, this is not a definite feature, but Disney representatives mentioned at the Task Force meeting that they were considering creating places where people could take off their masks briefly.
Walt Disney World Theme Park Reopening Protocols
Designated Days for Each Theme Park – TRUE (Kind of)
In the original post it was discussed if Disney would designate certain theme parks to be open on certain days, in order to reduce costs and control capacity. We also wondered if Disney would even designate certain parks to certain types of guests like Annual Passholders and on-site hotel guests on certain days. This is somewhat coming true, only for a short period of time. The theme parks are not reopening on the same day. The kingdoms, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom reopen first, on July 11, 2020. Then Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT reopen on July 15, 2020.
Restricting Access to Resort Hotels – TBD
The big piece that is yet to be fully communicated is Disney’s resort hotels. Which ones will open and when? How many hotels will stay closed? One would assume since the parks will be reservation only, that top priority will be given to resort guests. What I mused about in the original post is whether or not Disney would restrict access to the resorts to hotel guests only. This would potentially mean no dining at any of the resort hotels’ restaurants, visiting their merchandise locations, or simply sightseeing.
Additional Considerations
One of the potential operational changes we did not discuss in the original piece was the addition of Plexiglas to ticket windows and registers. Disney stated in their presentation to the Orange County Economic Task Force that barriers were being installed in certain retail and restaurant locations. We also got a peek at some of the signage that will be displayed throughout the parks.
Walt Disney World COVID-19 Health and Safety Signage
As we’ve seen with other theme parks and amusements in their reopening announcements, there will be changes to how attractions operate. Ride vehicles will have certain seats and rows closed. There will be multiple instances, especially in queues, in which travel parties will be kept together and served one at a time, other guests not in the current travel party will be asked to keep a safe distance.
This will be a very interesting time to say the least. We have never seen anything like this in modern theme park operations. I am hopeful that this reopening, with its purposeful safety measures, will help in a variety of ways. What are your thoughts?
From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dos and Don’ts, Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), disney covid-19, disney reopening, disney safety, walt disney world reopening
Disney Springs Outdoor Bars Remain Open for To-Go Drinks
Raglan Road To-Go Bar
