Tag: social distance

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Disney Parks

How Social Distancing Might Work at Epcot Attractions

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.

The post How Social Distancing Might Work at Epcot Attractions appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Epcot, Walt Disney World (FL), coronavirus, social distance

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Disney Parks Other

We Asked Our Readers: What Will It Take For You to Feel Safe Visiting Disney World Again? Here’s What They Said.

We wanted to know what safety measures our readers want to see Disney World implement when the parks reopen!

Animal Kingdom Entrance

While all of the Disney World parks remain closed until further notice, the resort has taken its first step towards reopening with Disney Springs starting a phased reopening on May 20th. This comes on the heels of the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland on May 11th, which made it the first Disney park to resume operations worldwide.

Both of these reopenings have included safety measures such as required face coverings for guests and Cast Members, social distancing protocols, and increased sanitization. So, now that things are beginning to reopen, we wanted to check in with our readers to see what health and safety measures they would like to see implemented in the parks at Disney World. Here are the results!

Now that we’ve seen the new health and safety protocols in action in Shanghai Disneyland and at Disney Springs, we have a better idea of what we might be able to expect in the domestic parks. So, since Disney has started to reopen its properties, we wanted to check in with our readers to get their thoughts. We reached out to our followers on Instagram to ask whether they think certain steps should be taken when Disney World reopens — let’s take a look at the responses!

Required Temperature Checks for Guests

To kick things off, we asked our followers whether or not they think temperature checks should be required for guests when the parks reopen. The overall response for temperature checks was positive — 77% said yes, and 23% said no.

Hollywood Studios

Temperature checks have been a common measure among other reopenings — they’re required at Shanghai Disneyland, Disney Springs, and Universal Orlando CityWalk. Overall, our readers said they would like to see this continue when the Disney World parks reopen as well.

Click here to learn more about the health and safety protocols implemented for the reopening of Disney Springs

Required Face Coverings for Guests

Next, we asked our followers whether they’re in favor of required face coverings for guests. This also received a favorable response — 68% said yes, and 32% said no.

Disney-themed Cloth Face Masks ©Disney

So, even though this measure received a slightly less positive response than temperature screenings, it was still favored overall, with two-thirds of the respondents in for the use of masks.

Learn more about our experience wearing a mask in Disney Springs here.

Limited Capacity in the Parks

In order to promote social distancing, many businesses that have reopened are limiting their capacity. In fact, the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force suggested that theme parks operate at no more than 50% capacity during Phase 1 in their reopening guidelines. And it seems that our readers are very much in favor of Disney limiting capacity in the theme parks — 91% said yes, and 9% said no.

Main Street, U.S.A

Of the ten questions we asked, this one received the most positive response.

Click here to learn more about the theme park reopening guidelines provided by the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force

Required Reservations to Get Into the Parks

In order to get ahead of potential bottlenecks and crowds, Shanghai Disneyland required that all tickets be purchased in advance for specific entry dates. Guests had to sign up for the specific date they planned to attend, as no walk-up tickets are available. Overall, our readers are in favor of reservations being required to get into the parks — 78% said yes, and 22% said no. 

Walt Disney World

If Disney World requires guests to pre-register for entry into the park, that would reduce the chance of guests being turned away at the gate if capacity is reached. Universal, which is opening June 5th will not implement a reservation system.

Here’s what Disney CEO Bob Chapek said about the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland

Social Distancing of Six Feet Required in Queues

This is another measure we’ve seen implemented in Shanghai Disneyland. They’ve placed markers in queues to indicate the proper separation between parties. Our readers are also largely in favor of six feet of distancing being required in queues — 81% said yes, and 19% said no.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

While this would largely require guests to self-regulate, we received a pretty resounding “yes” from our readers on the social distancing measure!

Check out photos from the reopening day of Shanghai Disneyland!

Staggered and Distanced Seating on Attractions

Another policy being which is being implemented by theme parks like Universal is staggering seating on attractions. Essentially, with this procedure, alternating rows or seats are left empty in order to allow space between guests. And it looks like people were in the same boat here as with distanced queues — 81% said yes and 19% said no.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Ride Vehicle

As with other social distancing procedures we polled our readers on, this potential policy received an overall positive response!

We drove around an empty Disney World. Here’s what it looked like!

Distanced Seating and Reduced Capacity in Restaurants

Many restaurants reopening across the country have required reduced capacity and social distancing. In fact, this is another element that was addressed by the Orange County Economic Task Force who suggested that restaurants reopen with 50% capacity during Phase 1. Reduced restaurant capacity and distanced seating is yet another precaution our readers would like extended to the parks — 89% said yes, and 11% said no.

Be Our Guest Restaurant

As a whole, the potential safety measures related to social distancing and reduced capacity were the most popular among our readers.

Click here to see which restaurants in Disney Springs were reopened in the first phase on May 20th

Ride Vehicles Disinfected After Every Guest

Another hot topic of discussion has been increased sanitization procedures. We asked our readers if they think that Cast Members should disinfect ride vehicles after every guest — 80% said yes, and 20% said no.

Rise of the Resistance Ride Vehicle

While Disney said that the reopening of Disney Springs includes “increased cleaning procedures,” there’s no official word yet on how this will translate to the Disney theme parks.

We asked our readers if they’re still planning a trip to Disney World in 2020. Here’s what they said.

Hotel Rooms Left Empty for 24 Hours Between Guests

We also wanted to see what our readers thought about hotel rooms being left empty for 24 hours between guests. And almost three-fourths were on board with this idea — 72% said no, and 28% said yes.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Room

So, while this wasn’t quite as overwhelming of a “yes” as the social distancing measures, overall people seem to be in favor.

Have you seen the recently renovated rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

Character Meet and Greets Halted

This was an opinion on which our readers were much more divided. When asked if they think character meet and greets should be suspended — 52% said yes, and 48% said no.

Snow White

So this one was almost an even split! Since this was the first measure we asked which would involve something being completely removed instead of just changed, we weren’t too surprised to see this receive a less favorable response.

Check out our rankings of all the Mickey Mouse character meals!

Large Gathering Shows Like Fireworks and Parades Halted

Entertainment that draws a large crowd, like fireworks and parades, has caused particular concern given the difficulty of maintaining social distance with so many people. Shanghai Disneyland has put a stop to parades and fireworks for the time being, so it’s possible Disney World could do the same. We wanted to round out our list by asking our readers if they think large gathering shows like fireworks and parades should be halted. And while it was close to an even split, this is the only question that received an overall negative response — 48% said yes, and 52% said no.

Happily Ever After Fireworks

So again, even though the responses were almost half and half, this was the least popular potential safety measure among our readers!

So, while there were a few potential health protocols that our readers weren’t as jazzed about, overall, people were on board with most of the procedures we mentioned. And social distancing in queues, restaurants, and attractions was an overwhelmingly popular concept! We’ll have to see when Disney announces their own reopening plan what measures are announced with it!

Disney surveyed guests about upcoming visits. Here’s what they asked!

Which of these potential health and safety measures are you in favor of? Let us know in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. PHOTOS: Disney World’s NEW Health Measures — Face Coverings, Distancing Signs, and MORE
  2. If Disney World Is VERY Different When It Reopens…Would YOU Go? Here’s What Our Readers Said.
  3. 3 Things We Hope We DON’T See At The Disney Springs Reopening This Week

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Character Dining, disney parks, disney resorts, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, Character Meet and Greet, Cleanliness, disney hotel room, disney parades, disney world closure, disney world fireworks, face coverings, face masks, health and safety measures, sanitation, sanitizing, social distance, social distancing, social distancing in the parks, temperature checks, temperature screening, temperature screenings

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Disney Parks Other

How Social Distancing Might Work on Animal Kingdom Attraction Vehicles

We recently looked at ways Disney might use to enforce social distancing at the Magic Kingdom when they begin phased openings at the parks. Today we’re looking at how social distancing might work at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

As with the Magic 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.]

Avatar Flight of Passage

The Animal Kingdom’s newest ride is in some ways perfect for social distancing. The ride vehicles are discrete entities meant for one individual each, and while the vehicles are not quite six feet apart, there is significant space between guests.

The pre-show to the attraction is more problematic. Prior to the ride, there are narrative points where guests stand in a small room together. Distancing could be achieved here with approximately 50% occupancy.

The Boneyard

The Boneyard is an interactive playground meant for young children, with lots of digging and climbing equipment. Cleaning this structure thoroughly will be a time consuming event. My guess is that, due to the high-touch nature of the attraction, it will not be part of the initial park reopening.

Dinosaur

Social distancing could be achieved by placing individual parties in the first and third rows, leaving the middle row free.

Expedition Everest

Social distancing could be achieved by loading guests in alternate rows, or by keeping larger parties together in their own car.

Festival of the Lion King

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 portion of the show where guests are asked to imitate an elephant (which results in a fair amount of inadvertent spitting) would likely need to be modified.

Finding Nemo the Musical

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.

Fossil Fun Games

The high-touch nature of these interactive games means they would need serious cleaning between every round. My guess is that Fossil Fun will not be part of a phase one opening.

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trails

This is a walk-through attraction, limiting the number of guests allowed to enter at one time could be achieved by timed entry. However, there would also need to be cast members available to monitor loitering around favorite exhibits such as the gorillas.

Harambe Wildlife Express (train to Conservation Station)

The Wildlife Express train itself could achieve social distancing by limiting the number of guests allowed onboard during each run.

However, the experience at Conservation Station has trouble spots with guests crowding around windows to observe animal medical procedures or packed in tightly for the interactive art experience. The outdoor petting zoo is less troublesome, but perhaps not a big enough draw for many guests. My guess is that Conservation Station will not be part of a phase one opening.

It’s Tough to Be a Bug

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.

Kali River Rapids

Social distancing could be achieved by loading boats at 50% capacity, either alternating seats or alternating parties with empty seats between.

Kilimanjaro Safari

Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per row of each jeep, and keep vacant rows between parties.

Maharajah Jungle Trek

This is a walk-through attraction; limiting the number of guests allowed to enter at one time could be achieved by timed entry. However, there would also need to be cast members available to monitor loitering around favorite exhibits such as the bats and tigers.

Na’vi River Journey

Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per boat.

Primeval Whirl

Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle.

Rivers of Light

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.

TriceratopSpin

Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per dino.

Up! A Great Bird 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.

Would the characteristics of the Animal Kingdom attractions make it any more or less attractive to you as a first post-pandemic park to visit? And of course, even if methods like these do take place, we have countless other questions about character greetings, 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.

The post How Social Distancing Might Work on Animal Kingdom Attraction Vehicles appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), social distance