With the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine finally being distributed, vaccines are top of mind. While the arrival of a vaccine to fight the global pandemic could certainly be the first sign that “normalcy” will return, it may not be the whole “cure” that Disney World needs.
Magic Kingdom
Having a vaccine isn’t like flipping a light switch and the world goes back to normal — the same can be said for Disney World too. When it comes down to it, it may take years before consumer confidence and expendable income are back to where they were in 2019, and that can alter when we could once again see “pre-pandemic” Disney World.
Once a vaccine is widely available, will guests come back to Disney World? If so, how long will it take? Sure, guests are returning every day (and the parks have been filling up to their set capacity on multiple occasions), but will guests return in numbers akin to 2019 and prior? Let’s take a look at three major reasons why a vaccine could be the start, but not the final requirement to “cure” Disney World.
The vaccine could have a slow rollout.
While two major brands of vaccine have been approved for immediate use, Pfizer and Moderna, it doesn’t mean the majority of the general public will all have access to a vaccine right away, as we’re already seeing. According to the New York Times, most Americans should not expect to have access to a vaccine until May or June of 2021. And then begins the long process of actually getting an entire country vaccinated — assuming people agree to get the vaccine — and that could take some time.
Animal Kingdom December crowds
All signs point to everyone needing to receive two doses of the vaccine spaced roughly a month apart, which is a slow timeline. From the initial rollout of the vaccine to the present, just over a month’s time, healthcare workers around the country are still in the process of getting their first doses of the vaccine in some areas. In others, frontline workers have been treated with both doses and now vaccines are ready to distribute to high-risk elderly populations. Accessibility of the vaccine will vary wildly by location for the initial months of distribution, making it difficult to pinpoint where we stand in terms of vaccinating the population.
First Aid Center
Then there’s a question of how many Americans WILL actually get vaccinated, at least in the short-term future. In a New York Times article, Dr. Anthony Fauci talked about life getting back to normal by late 2021. But that comes with a big asterisk. That timetable will depend on at least 75 percent of the country getting vaccinated promptly. And according to a recent Gallup poll, six in ten Americans — less than Fauci’s threshold for normalcy to begin to return by late 2021 — would agree to be vaccinated.
© Gallup
This could put Disney in a precarious spot. In order to swiftly return to a more “normal” Disney World — one without as much restriction — they could potentially require guests to be vaccinated. As a private company, Disney World could ask for proof of vaccination before allowing guests on property. Whether they would do this is as yet unknown.
Imagine walking into Disney World knowing everyone there was vaccinated against the virus, yourself included. Would you feel safer? Would Disney feel they were at lower risk for liability? While the chances of that happening seem low, many were surprised that Disney required face masks or temperature checks when this all started! We’ve learned in 2020, anything is possible and on the table. The same appears to hold true in 2021.
Click here to read more about how Disney World would most likely need a vaccine widely available before normal operations can resume.
Consumer confidence may be slow to return to normal.
Even with a vaccine, consumer confidence could take a while to bounce back. There is certainly a level of demand for travel already, as Disney World was nearly at their set capacity for Thanksgiving and the Christmas holiday seasons. Airports around the country were also packed with holiday travelers, despite nationwide surges in cases. Disney also shared in their earnings in November that the remainder of 2020 was currently booked at approximately 77% capacity.
Recent Flight from Orlando
However, some level of demand doesn’t immediately indicate that the tourism industry is roaring back to 2019 levels once a vaccine is widely available. There may still be a percentage of people out there who simply don’t want to travel right now, and don’t feel comfortable getting on an airplane, staying in a hotel, or visiting a destination where they cross paths with thousands of strangers.
Orlando Airport
However, there are some signs that could indicate that while tourism won’t return to “normal” right away, it could get close. During the park closures, two thirds of our readers said they would feel comfortable visiting Disney ASAP. More recently, the New York Times reported that U.S. air travel has hit record highs since the pandemic began, causing concern amongst health officials but also signaling that the public could be ready to return to traveling as soon as possible.
Orlando International Airport
Despite a certain level of demand, Disney can only accommodate so much given current health and safety guidelines. Remember, even though Disney World has been filling their parks to capacity, that capacity is currently still set at 35%. That cap is in part due to social distancing guidelines. However, Disney may discover that once they’re able to raise capacity further down the road, they may not fill the parks quite like they did before the pandemic.
Security Check Point
During the closures in 2020 we shared how travel analysts predict that the ramifications of this crisis could be six or seven times worse than they were after 9/11, which could mean a slow climb back to normal crowd levels for Disney.
Is Disney World safe to visit right now? Read our thoughts here.
Many Americans are facing new hardships.
Finally, remember that in 2020, MANY people have experienced the loss of income, a job, a business, or, tragically, the loss of a loved one. For many, a Disney World vacation will simply not be feasible for the time being, at least not in the way that many families used to travel.
Magic Kingdom
Regardless of discounts and deals, a family vacation to Disney World is a pricey investment. And if there’s less expendable income to go around, travel will more than likely be among the first things that get cut from a family’s budget each year. Finances combined with insecurities around traveling make simply foregoing planning that trip to Disney World much more of a possibility.
Click here to read about how Disney is investing $1 billion in health and safety measures in 2021.
Policies and projects are in flux.
It’s also important to note that the pandemic may have already caused irreversible changes at the Disney parks.
Other than financial and travel ramifications, the attacks on 9/11 led to several policy changes that have become a routine part of our trips to Disney World, including increased security and flight restrictions that resulted in the parks becoming “no-fly zones.”
So far during the past year, we’ve seen updated security systems implemented at the parks that encourage low- or no-touch policies, mandatory temperature checks for all guests entering theme parks or hotel restaurants, and updated policies that encourage no-touch solutions like encouraging cashless payments throughout the property, requiring mobile ordering in parks and hotels, and promoting online check-in for hotels. Some or all of these policies may be permanent going forward despite a vaccine being available.
TRON Coaster Construction
September 11th, 2001 also led to Disney making major decisions about upcoming projects. At the time, Disney was planning on including a second phase of Pop Century Resort known as “The Legendary Years” which would represent the 1900’s – 1940’s, but the sharp reduction in tourism immediately following 9/11 forced Disney to stick to one phase of the hotel, and many of the buildings were left uncompleted. The location of “The Legendary Years” eventually became Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, which opened in 2012.
We’ve already seen Disney push opening timeframes for several upcoming projects, and some seem to be falling off the radar completely — especially in the massive EPCOT transformation project. The Star Wars Hotel was supposed to open reservations in 2020, but there has been no movement on that front. And we also have seen projects like the TRON coaster in Magic Kingdom seemingly be pushed to 2022 instead of 2021.
So if a vaccine can’t “cure” Disney World this year…what will?
While Disney World has reopened all four theme parks and many of their hotels, with reduced capacity, they still stand to operate at a loss. In fact, one analyst predicted that 2021 could be another “lost year” for the Walt Disney Company, and they may not see their finances fully recover until 2023. We can already see several signs from 2020 that Disney has a long road to recovery ahead, even once a vaccine becomes readily available.
Cinderella Castle
For starters, not all of the resorts have reopened. Several of the resorts that did not reopen initially include Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts (French Quarter and Riverside), Disney’s All-Star Resorts (Sports, Movies, and Music), Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge — Jambo House, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. (Though many of these resorts do have Disney Vacation Club rooms available for booking.)
Port Orleans Riverside
©Disney
Then we saw drastic layoffs that, by the first half of fiscal 2021, will have impacted 32,000 Cast Members across the Disney parks. Many of these positions could take time to come back if they return at all, as Disney continues to mitigate their expenses and restructure their priorities as they recover financially from the billions lost due to the park closures.
Sidewalk Art
In the long run, it seems likely that the Walt Disney Company will come out of this global pandemic standing on its own two feet but it needs time to do so. They have recovered from previous crises that impacted travel, like 9/11 in 2001 and the Great Recession in 2008.
However, neither of those events caused long-term closures of the parks and resorts like we saw last year. That resulted in a $6.9 billion loss in operating income for the fiscal year. The scale of this current crisis is unlike anything faced previously not just for Disney but for the current global community.
Millennium Falcon
The real challenge ahead won’t necessarily be when they can bring FastPass+ back or when character meet and greets can return. The challenge won’t even truly be when their face mask mandates can be lifted. In the years to come, Disney will need to seriously grapple with the fact that consumers might be traveling less and that vacationing priorities may be different going forward. The world is changing following everything that has happened and Disney World will need to change with it. A vaccine is the first huge step towards that happening. But don’t expect everything to return to “normal” overnight.
Click here to read about an analyst’s prediction that 2021 could be another “lost year” for Disney.
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I feel like one way Disney could get people to go is not add a cost and a hassle to trips in 2022 and beyond by removing DME. Just because there are other ways to get to the resorts from the airport doesn’t mean that everyone wants to use them.
I still wish Disney wouldn’t be trying to work on to many things at parks at one time. People that are paying to go during all this ( masks, no character pic, photo with mask, etc..)would rather not see walls up everywhere. Mouse gear doesn’t look like its had anything worked on in months and it was always a big hot spot. Can u atleast rope off a 8ft area to have photo pass pics at entrance with no masks. DOLLYWOOD DOES IT..:-)
DisneyWorld needs to sell annual passes again. I would buy two. My daughter would buy 4. People who have an annual pass would be spending money $$$$ in the parks for eating & merchandise EVERY time they go. It is a DEPENDABLE revenue. Buying passes for each time that you go in the current system LIMITS your spending for restaurants & merchandise.
I am 100% fine with Disney requiring proof of vax for a normal experience. I won’t go back until the experience is normal again, and if that’s what it takes, so be it. I would think dragging out “normal” until ‘22 would massively hurt them even more.
My husband and I are booked to Orlando in October, we will both be vaccinated by that time and fully intend to travel.
I’m planning a trip in 2022 and hace actually been worried that demand will be extra high due to 2021 being another “lost year.”
Also, I am trying to be upbeat about vaccines. Note that Pew framed the question as “right now.” I think the number of people who will ultimately be vaccinated high enough, but many people are afraid of being in the first round. In polls, less than 10% of healthcare workers say they do NOT plan to be vaccinated, yet the current adoption rate is only around 40%. Even many healthcare workers are waiting to see how it goes for their peers.
probably not ever, things are very bad right now and this year is definitely going to be like last year. So sad for Disney and people. so many are not working but most have been called back. many people will not take the vaccine–too early for it to be out, was rushed too quickly, many nurses ARE NOT taking this vaccine, it is not FDA approved yet. they are finally using this vaccine on animals, which they should have been doing before giving it to people! some/few people have died from this vaccine, other countries many have died from the vaccine. I hardly know of anyone that is willing to take it now, perhaps in a year or longer til we know how it will work out if it does, it is not 100% vaccine, you can still get covid. I loved Disney and the other parks, but have not been down since 2010, I feel I won’t be coming back for a long time, maybe never. this year everyone will be still wearing masks, social distancing, etc. even the ones that got the vaccines. so sad, I love your parks, we just must wait and see what happens in the next year or 2 or 3. also, there will be some people that would not be able to take this vaccine at all because of allergies or the bad side effects. if you want to have it mandatory for people that they need to have this vaccine, that is up to you, many people will be a little upset with that, I am sure. good luck in whatever you do. so sorry this was long, I just had to let this all out.
EXPERIMENTAL vaccine. Get it right. And the virus has a 99.4% survival rate with NO TREATMENT. This is all complete ridiculousness. The people who are most vulnerable are old and in health care facilities. They don’t come to Disney anyway. The vaccine is still experimental. We don’t even know how well it works. Open up!
ANY requirement of a ‘vaccine’ would raise serious legal issues across the board, ‘private company’ or not. I’m not about to get into the vaccine debate, but I will NOT get ANY vaccine PERIOD. And there are hundreds of thousands of folks like this, so any company trying to require this is going to be faced with more issues than what they’ve already got.
Get rid of masks and people will come back slowly when they feel ready or proof of vaccine and no masks!
Forced vaccination may reduce traffic further. Many don’t want the vaccine and people who don’t will just not travel or participate. Plus they aren’t proven to work, and the virus mutates…. then what? Force more new and improved vaccines? No thanks
As a healthcare provider i don’t know the long term unknowns of the vaccine and that is why we healthcare providers refuse it. I will let my families immune system do the job naturally. We go at least weekly and are dvc. However we are at a point with all the restrictions being inconvenient and taking away from the magic that we are trying to decide if we are even going to stay with disney. Seaworld and universal are handling things so much better. If disney requires a vaccine to get in that is the end for us. Not even my job in a healthcare setting requires the vaccine.
Not sure if anyone has been to the parks… But there are plenty of people there. Bring back fastpass … Families can get more done with that system in place .. and for those that may say they are using the fastpass lane for social distancing… They aren’t… Fastpass is a nice treat after waiting in long lines for other rides!
The experts have been very clear that there is no evidence the vaccine prevents transmission. While there can be longer term effects of Covid, it is also true long term effects of the vaccine are unknown. The vaccine manufacturers have requested immunity from liability because they do not know long term effects. I just read an article the other day that said This virus will never go away. And we all know by now that if it did, Bill Gates has said the next one will get our attention. Are we supposed to get a new vaccine every time a new virus comes out? No one has the right to tell anyone else what they are required to inject in their bodies to participate in commerce. That includes companies and fellow patrons. My rights do not end where your fear begins.
I think Disney should permanently reduce the capacity limit in all parks.
even before covid, the crowds were out of control and i’m sure the germs / sickness would run rampant. i know i would often get sick after a few days just from touching doors and handles on rides.
i’ve been saying for gears i think i might quit going to disney because the crowds are so prohibitive. what’s the point of spending all that money going if it’s not enjoyable? the park capacities are so high because of greed. i would be willing to pay more to have lesser crowds. that’s just my two cents. great article 😊
Evan wrote:
“what’s the point of spending all that money going if it’s not enjoyable? the park capacities are so high because of greed. i would be willing to pay more to have lesser crowds. ”
Did you even read what you wrote? You demonize normal crowds because of “greed” but then say you would pay more so you wouldn’t be inconvenienced by crowds. THAT is called GREED. Or just Self-Centeredness.
As for the vaccine, you DO realize that the vaccine is not a “Cure” right? The vaccine does not prevent you from being infected, and nor does it prevent you from spreading the virus. All the vaccine does is prevent you from feeling the symptoms of the illness, much like any over the counter (OTC) cold & flu medication. If you don’t realize this (don’t believe me; it’s all on the CDC website) then you haven’t done any research, or maybe you don’t want to.
Disney is averaging a $1 Billion per month loss in revenue. With every cut-back they make, they lose more visitors. Their decision-makers need to stop listening to their bean-counters and just open up with zero restrictions. Visitors and their money would come flowing back into the parks. But alas, they won’t do that. Disney is a sinking ship right now. They need to patch the holes and then get back on course.
Planning on rebooking our canceled 3 week trip from the UK
However looking at staying onsite at Universal and not Disney this time Very disappointed in Disneys lack of fast pass ,dining plan, extra magic hours ,long length tickets , entertainment ect going forward.
No incentive to stay at a Disney resort any more plus ticket prices need a good reduction to make up for missing shows.
You would think they would want to encourage people to book by offering extras not taking them away I dont feel they are helping them selves out of the problem just adding to it .
Disney is reducing the deliverables, and raising prices. This is not a recipe for increasing attendance.
1. I would buy two annual passes right now if they were available.
2. We had four trips booked this year. January trip cancelled due to no AP availability.
(And yes, we were staying onsite for 12 days.)
3. July trip w/ a friend booked and return trips for Wine and Food and New Year’s are booked.
All are one site and total thirty two nights. We need the AP.
4. So upset that ME has been cancelled beginning 2022.
Like Magic Bands, we would be willing to pay a small fee to cover.
5. Please bring back fast-passes. If not, frequent trips for us will be scaled back.
Three major fastpasses a day is fine with us although five would be nice.
A FOURTH item that could be keeping people from coming to the parks is all the stuff associated with the Covid precautions – Social distancing, Masks, Plexiglass – Truth is, lots of people out there are not going to spend a boat load of money to have a partial experience, and “enjoy” Orlando while wearing a mask.
My wife and I visited WDW for a week back October, and even in areas where there were ZERO guests (Riding bikes down maintenance trails in Fort Wilderness; Walking down empty beaches; etc) WDW castmembers would go out of there way to remind us to wear our masks.
I totally understand needing to respect others you’re around, and especially in the parks, but when literally NO ONE else is around, cut us some slack…
Our wait times were short on a few rides, but we got skunked on Rise of the resistance, and had normal wait times of Avatar, and others. We had no Fastpass to help out…
Of course, several attractions are closed… And lots of restaurants too
We paid full price for a partial experience, and we won’t do it again
Once those who want to be vaccinated have been, then the government should allow Disney too loosen up.
They should feel free to open the flood gates, remove the precautions, return the full experience, and I bet folks will show up in force.
There’s really no reason this can’t be happening by end of summer.
Considering there are more and more negative reactions and side effects to the vaccines being reported, I doubt they are going to ease fears in many people. I have had Covid and based on my experiences and those of my friends and family that have had it, we are not intending to get the vaccine until they have done a lot more studies on it.
You are looking at lawsuits if you require vaccine— working in health care— there are lots of people that cannot take vaccine due to allergies- anaphylactic reactions. That will be discrimination !! I can see covid test .
I love WDW more than you can imagine. While my extended family is planning a trip to WDW in October 2021 for a 21st birthday, I have made my reservations, but I’m not sure I’ll actually be going, I understand, that the Disney organization has lost a great deal of money in 2020, it seems like they are now nickel and diming guests. On past trips I didn’t have to pay to park my car at my Disney hotel. Now I do. I’m going to have to pay $120 for simply parking my car. That means I’ll have $120 less to spend on dining, merchandise and experiences. These would be things I would talk about when I returned from my trip – not parking my car at the hotel for a fee. The use of mobile ordering could be a problem. My smart phone does not have data so ordering lunch using my phone could be a major issue if I cannot connect to Wifi. WDW needs to make the experience of a trip to WDW as enticing as they can to make people want to come.
People certainly have the right to determine whether or not they’re going to get the Covid vaccine. People don’t have the right to go to any particular privately owned vacation destination on their own terms. If someone doesn’t like the destination’s rules, than someone can visit a destination with rules they are willing to accept. A Disney vacation is not a right, no matter how many times people say it is.
I am an annual pass holder and we travel to Disney 3 to 4 times a year, except in 2020. We love Disney !! The greatest place on earth in my opinion.
Two trips were cancelled by Disney in May and July. My family and I will not return until mask are no longer required and that is a our choice. Takes away to much of the Magic for us. Disney has the choice to require that you have proof of the COVID vaccine. My choice will be to not return to Disney if that is the case. We would be so very sad for our children and grandchildren. But we can survive without Disney.p
Just a thought I know making money is a priority and needed to operate TaKen advantage of anniversary and people giving you a try again and vacation make prices more reasonable including theme park ticket just a COME BACK GIVE US A TRY ANNIVERSARY Promotion lower them. Last Disney gave any thing was Mickeys 60th birthday buy 1Day get 1 Day free Mickey this year should be 93? I think over 30 ish years is a long time to thank you for coming everyone be safe
“it may take years before consumer confidence and expendable income are back to where they were in 2019”
Part of that problem (if not the biggest) is that they have either suspended or completely eliminated Annual Passes at Disney World and Disneyland. This has cut off the most loyal dedecated visitors. Although we do vacation packages to Disney World once a year, the only reason our family go to Disneyland all the time is because of our Annual Passes. Instead of going to Disneyland 10-12 times a year (we live close by), we’ll probably only once, maybe twice a year now.
Attendance is down at Disney World and non-existent at Disneyland due to Covid, but they have eliminated half the visitors by suspending and/or canceling Annual Passes. How is that going to help with attendance? I just don’t get it.
I think all Disney parks will bounce back sharply in 2022, for three reasons:
1. The vaccines
2. Pent up demand
3. The fact they’ve become increasingly CO$TLY and out of reach for those of modest means…the people most affected by the pandemic. The middle class is being hollowed out by the pandemic’s job-killing impact but the “well-off” are doing well. They’ll fill the parks as soon as they feel it’s safe to do so. Those with plump portfolios don’t need “recovery” time…and The Mouse will be happy to accommodate them.
I travel to Disney World in December of 2020 I am traveling again in February of 21 and again in December of 2021. I do not plan on taking the vaccine ever! I’ve only taken the flu vaccine twice in my life and caught the flu both times and was sick for three solid weeks. I I’m not concerned whether people are vaccinated or not there are many other viruses to which people do not vaccinate themselves. The only thing I would like to see changed back at Disney World is the removal of the mask I will not be purchasing the memory maker until we do not have to wear a mask on our face! it absolutely sucks that Disney’s magical express is going away and honestly I absolutely foresaw it. I have been renting Lyft rides however I don’t have a large family for for those people who have large families. I’m sure that is quite an increase in cost to have to rent a vehicle or pay for a car service.
Robin’s comments from January 18th, you nailed it! I feel exactly the same way!!
OPEN UP EVERYTHING UP LIKE IT WAS IN 2019 AND PEOPLE WILL COME BACK, THE LONGER THIS “SOCIAL DISTINSING” CONTINUES AND MASK ARE REQURED, NO FASTPASS, LIMITED PARK HOPPER IS IN EFFECT, AND DINING PLANS RETURN MANY OF US DIE HARD WDW fans will not return. We were at WDW in June and July of 2019, had a trip planed for same time in 2020, we all know what happened with that. Know I have a trip planed for same time in 2021, and we will probably have to cancel. As far as having to have proof we were vaccinated to go to WDW , that should never happen, we are vaccinated against all child hood diseases, but will not get covid vaccine, just like we don’t get flu vaccine, because they are always changing and mutating. If Disney ever requires proof of vaccination then that is the day we stop going to disney, stop buying their products and watching their movies and streaming sites. The parinoa needs to stop, people are becoming afraid to be around other people, that is sad!! I look forward to standing in a nice crowded line to go on splash mountain before it is changed.
What I wonder is who will be able to give the all clear sign that we can take the masks off? I have to admit there is nothing magical about the masks when it is hot here in Orlando. We wear them because those are the rules but we don’t stay as long when the temps are above 80. Living in Florida we have already been vaccinated.
Diane’s comment is filled with false information. People can say they don’t want the vaccine, but spreading dangerous lies by saying that the vaccine is killing people and the FDA did not approve it for emergency use isn’t cool and can cause a lot of harm.
I live in the UK and would love to come back to Disney. But the problem is that you get vaccinated for free here , but you do not get any proof of vaccination same goes for most European countries. Also if you do have to provide proof it would be open to counterfeiting of proof
We have a trip from Toronto to come down in September but only if Canada opens the border with the US. We will be vaccinated by then and our province is now in lock down with only essential food shopping and work allowable. The borders will only be opened if America takes covid 19 seriously. Hopefully that’ll change in the next 2 days.
So what about those of us who CANNOT take the vaccine due to other health issues and medication we are on?! I am on immunosuppressive meds due to RA. I have been advised by me doctor NOT to take the vaccine. So does that mean I can never come back to Disney?! SHAME ON YOU FOR NOT THINKING ABOUT ALL SITUATIONS AND ONLY THINKING ABOUT THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My family has been traveling to Disney multiple times a year since it opened. Last year was the first year we did not get to go at all. Now I find out because I can’t get the vaccine because of a health problem I have had for 15 years I can’t go back at all?! SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I am really tired of the whole COVID vaccine discussion. It is not a proven preventative medicine as of yet. It will NOT immediately cause COVID to go away. Nothing will. It will have to run its course like the flu and other viruses. My family and I have been going to Disney since it opened. My husband and I take an extended vacation in the resorts every other year. It is the only vacation we take. We love it. But the amount of perks they have already eroded from the price of the vacation package is making us really consider if it is worth going anymore. Our next planned visit is for the end of this year. Our package price was almost $6000 with no dining plan, no extra magic hours, paying extra for any of the parties (which may or may not come back), paying for parking at the resort we are staying at, and now removing the probably biggest perk of all – Magical Express. It would take a lot of for us to stop going but if they decide to make us take the vaccine to get in we will NEVER go again. And I would have to seriously consider boycotting their products and movies (which I have never done before).
In all honesty, I am glad that this has transpired (not the virus but making Disney reevaluate). I think they were getting out of control with their capacity limits. We always go at Christmas which already puts the crowds up there but the last two years we have gone it was out of control. I don’t mind crowds. We have learned how to work them and how to time our plans but last year was the worst. I think it is time for Disney to stop taking away the perks and start putting some smaller capacity limits in place. I normally am the biggest Disney fan there is but enough is enough.
Thank you for a most depressing article. This may scare away many people.
In my opinion, the biggest problem with the roll-out of the vaccine in the US is the distrust. It is difficult to find a reliable place to get actual facts anymore, and huge amounts of sensationalism and obviously biased opinions in the mainstream news. A lot of people simply will wait to see how the vaccine affects others before they allow themselves and family members to receive it, while others may refuse to receive it at all. This in addition to those who have historically refused vaccines. Another group of people are those being tested for anti-bodies to determine if they “need” the vaccine… I am not a Dr. so I cannot say if they are immune or not, but it appears many of these people who test positive for the COVID-19 antibodies will elect to skip the vaccine. I can predict that if you have to show proof of a vaccination prior to entering the park, there will probably be a lot of people who will not qualify. Should Disney also ask for proof of a positive anti-body test?
Sheri, Disney has not announced plans to require a vaccine.
I do not see distancing and masks going away any time soon…until the CDC thinks enough people are vaccinated or herd immunity. Vaccines…such a fun debate topic; recommendations or requirements. Remember that conversation you had with you spouse about why your one year child needed all those shots. Was it because the doctor recommended it or the government required it for your child to attend a public school? COVID – what a mess.
In response to Jules comment ‘People don’t have a right to a Disney vacation on their terms’, it is important you understand that Americans have rights over their bodies. They also have a right not to be discriminated against. No matter how many times you say people don’t have rights, it’s never going to be true. Let’s not dishonor those who’ve died defending the Constitution which acknowledges our rights. In response to Jules comment in reference to the vaccine killing people, FACT, Vaccine manufacturers have stated to expect reports of deaths after receiving vaccine. FACT, There have been reports of deaths after receiving the vaccine (check VAERS). Has there been a documented proven link? Not that I’m aware of. FACT, Is death listed as a possible side effect of the vaccine? Yes. To say that no one has died from it before an actual study has been done is dangerous. We don’t know yet. That’s why it’s only approved for Emergency Authorization. It’s also why they asked for immunity from liability. This isn’t fear mongering, this is making informed decisions. Not sure how Disney could consider it ethical to require vaccines based on these circumstances.
My husband & I would still go back, but it’s not going to be this year. Disney certainly can’t get their “stuff” together: Bob Iger left Bob Chapek with a big mess in handling “covid”, you have to wear a mask on rides & posing for pictures (Wow, that certainly shows the excitement), no fireworks & parades, etc. I’m not downplaying the virus and I can certainly understand Disney doesn’t want to get sued, but with them allowing vaccinations at the park, they will still have people wear masks until the great Bob Chapek (and/or Bob Iger) give their royal Disney blessing when you don’t have to wear them.
If they go back to Real Normal.
They will earn Real Normal Revenue.
Any other requirements will cost them.
Robin, I have to disagree with some of your comments. I am also on the fence about the vaccine, mainly because we just do not know how effective it will be, especially with the new variants. However, many many more people have died BECAUSE of the virus versus death due to a reaction to the vaccine. Do your research, every vaccine that has ever been created has come at a cost. And with regards to your statement about people having rights. .. Any parent of a college bound student knows that there are certain vaccines required before admission. It is not discriminatory since you have the option to go or not to go. Don’t like Disney rules? Then just stay home. My biggest concern with comments here is the total lack of regard and respect for Cast Members. They are the ones at risk every day and to those who say Disney should just reopen everything and discregard CDC guidelines I say shame on you.
Elaine, I have done my research. I am presuming you and I would have a very different interpretation of the data. Please don’t assume that people who don’t agree with you are uninformed. By your logic, you are saying that vaccines come at a cost and obviously Covid has a cost, so you justify loss of life due to vaccine injury as acceptable because it potentially benefits other people. Interestingly, this is one of the twelve study groups the government tested to encourage citizen participation in the vaccine. They knew they couldn’t use their standard way of vaccination because those are usually administered to children and obviously children aren’t the key target for the Covid vaccine. Test groups included tactics of guilt, embarrassment, bravery, anger, trust, fear, and more.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04460703
The NEJM also publish an article on ways to ensure an uptick in vaccination participation, some of which was forced isolation, and employment suspension: “relatively substantive penalties could be justified, including employment suspension or stay-at-home orders”
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2020926
Are you aware that information suppression (via media) was part of the planned response at the pandemic preparedness event?
You are suggesting that if someone isn’t willing to risk injury or death, they should be denied freedom. I disagree with this principle. With a slight exception, I would never suggest one persons rights be suspended for the benefit of another and I do not understand those who do.
I am aware of the requirements of schools. I’m also a military parent.
This is a time for preserving freedom, not suppressing it. This goes for companies, employees, and the public.
Elaine, one other note, why did the CDC stop tracking Influenza during the 2020/2021 seasons? And why did they change the mortality category to PIC, combining pneumonia, influenza, and Covid? Those three illnesses do not carry the same requirements or restrictions or benefits, or do they now?
Robin, quit passing around fake information. The CDC is tracking flu data for 2020/2021: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/. Your “logic” only serves to further spread disease and death so that we will never return to normal.
I cannot believe any “healthcare workers” do not want the vaccine or believe it is effective. These folks are obviously not doctors or nurses with a BS or MS in nursing or those words would not have come out of their mouths. This is science folks! If Disney required proof of vaccine in order to enter the parks.. then I am all for it. And despite what others have stated … no one has a “right” to go to Disney… not guaranteed by our Constitution. I applaud Disney for all they have done to keep guests safe. I can’t wait to visit WDW again and am hoping Disneyland opens soon… I miss going there several times a year!
I sure hope Disney reads these comments. Open business as usual and Disney will see everyone return without an issue. If someone has a concern, they can still wear a mask if they choose, but the rest of us will have pictures with big smiles and no irritation on our face from a mask in the Florida heat. We are dvc, and if a vaccine is ever required, that will be my sign to sell it off. Also, NO TESTS WERE DONE ON CHILDREN! Last time I checked, kids make up the majority of Disney guests. I would never have my child receive a vaccination that hasn’t shown effectiveness on kiddos. So, good luck with that.