Many of us are forming our own opinions right now, especially when it comes to what the “new normal” will look like once this is all over.
Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios
That’s why we recently reached out to our followers on instagram and asked if they would feel comfortable going to Disney World right away once it reopens.
The results were very interesting.
Of the 752 responses we received in the first 10 minutes, 495 of you said emphatically, YES!!! In fact, many of you even said you’d be at rope drop the day the parks reopened (don’t worry — we won’t hold you to it)!
But 194 readers said NO WAY!!! And 63 people said IT DEPENDS. BEHOLD, our gorgeous pie chart making SKILLZ…
Pie Chart of Our Readers’ Responses When Asked If They Would Go to Disney World As Soon As It Reopens
And as we’d hoped, many of you gave us reasons for your answers that we feel are important to discuss.
“Yes, Because Disney is a Safe Place.”
The overwhelming majority of responses we received were positive. Many of you truly feel Disney World will only reopen when it is safe and they’ll be taking proper precautions to protect all guests and Cast Members.
Yes. It’s Totally Safe. We’re All In.
Several people speculated how “extra clean” the already very well kept parks will be when they reopen. Some noted also that Disney already holds itself to a very high standard.
One of our readers summed up their opinion by saying, “They wouldn’t reopen if it was only ‘kinda safe.’ They’ll be 100% ready.” Another reader commented, “We already rescheduled our trip for mid-June.”
Main Street, U.S.A.
Before the parks closed, Disney World had already implemented many changes, including additional hand wash stations and stricter sanitation practices.
Fantasyland hand-washing station
Most likely, these improvements will remain in place when the parks reopen — and there will probably be an abundance of new operational enhancements added as well.
Read more about the new features that were added to the My Disney Experience app before the parks closed here!
Entering Magic Kingdom
But while many responders were 100% in, others were…concerned.
I’ll Go…But I Won’t Bring Kids Or Anyone Who’s Immunocompromised
Some of our readers said yes, they most certainly would be going by themselves, but they wouldn’t feel comfortable bringing their small children or elderly parents quite yet.
Others told us while they felt comfortable going to the parks, they would be trying to avoid heavy crowd areas such as popular parade spots and firework viewing areas, assuming those were to resume right away.
Festival of Fantasy Parade
Many of you who answered yes also seemed to think the parks might not be very crowded, at least initially. It’s kind of ironic because many of our readers who responded “no” seemed to think otherwise!
“My Heart Would Say “Go!” But My Head Would Say “No!”
Even though over half of the readers would choose to go to Disney World when it reopens, a large portion of you said you’d be too worried to hurry back right away.
Crowds are a Concern
Many of you felt the parks would be overcrowded when they reopened, flooded with people needing an escape from the reality we’ve all been dealing with.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Some of you also predicted Annual Passholders might be especially anxious to get back in and use their passes that have been burning a hole in their pockets!
Click here to see the updated refund and extension options for Disney World Annual Passholders here!
We’ll Go Eventually, But We Want To Wait And See
We heard from a lot of readers that although they wouldn’t necessarily go “right away,” they would probably feel better about going a week or two after the parks reopened to see how things played out first.
Mickey Shorts Theater
Travel Concerns and Exposure To Others Are An Issue
A large portion of our “no” people even said while they thought the Disney parks themselves would be safe and clean, they were more worried about getting exposed to something on an airplane.
One of our readers even said, “I don’t think I’ll be comfortable in crowds ever again.” Another reader wrote, “I don’t think it’ll be normal right away and will feel weird.”
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Some of you were concerned about being too close to other people while waiting in lines. Sometimes folks are “herded” or “packed into” confined spaces by Cast Members for rides like the Haunted Mansion or before performances start. We anticipate Disney will have have to change some of the ways they operate for many people to feel truly safe again.
Spaceship Earth
Disney May Have Phased or Limited Capacity Openings, And Budget Might Be An Issue
Other readers speculated the parks might not open fully, at least not right away, and that an expensive trip to Disney World isn’t in the budget — especially without being able to experience everything as it normally is.
Cinderella Castle and Main Street USA in Disney World
With a recession on the heels of an already difficult economic situation for many, the thought of dropping thousands of dollars on a vacation where you can’t ride certain rides or go to restaurants normally seems ridiculous. This may or may not happen, but it’s definitely something our readers are taking into consideration as they make their decisions about returning to the parks.
Click Here To See How Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens
What Will People Think?
A reader even commented that they felt there might be a stigma associated with going to the parks too soon if the general population was still fearful of large public gatherings. I think this is an especially interesting consideration, as we’ve seen how social psychology has played out so far throughout this crisis.
“It Depends on the State of the Pandemic.”
And while only 8% of you answered maybe, it’s clear to us that many people are assessing this situation day-by-day. Some of you folks at home didn’t feel comfortable saying one way or another, because Disney hasn’t given us a timeframe for when the parks will be reopening. They’re just closed “until further notice” which means until they’re fully comfortable opening the parks. Which could be weeks or possibly several months.
Festival of Fantasy Parade
What we DO know is they’ve just furloughed all of their non-essential Cast Members, which means they’re anticipating a rather lengthy closure. Also, Disney World Resort hotels aren’t accepting new reservations until after June 1st, which may be an indication of when they anticipate being able to reopen in some capacity.
Some of you thought there might even be a vaccine available by the time the parks reopen and if so, that would make you feel very safe.
We, along with many of you, assume that Disney will be continuing to follow the recommendations of the CDC as well as the advice of local and federal government officials — opening parks only when it is safe and “legal” for them to do so.
But know that YOUR perspective affects Disney’s decisions as well. Crowd mentality is a HUGE component of marketing decisions for all major companies, so how you react will play into the future of the parks in a big way.
Mickey Mouse
As for us, we’re certainly excited to see Disney World again; but we’re also anxious to see how they’ll be keeping guests (and our staff here at DFB!) safe when they reopen.
But we want to know in the comments — what do YOU think? Will you be first in line in at the gates on reopening day? Or will you plan to wait and see for a few days, weeks, or even months, before you return to the Most Magical Place on Earth? Let us know!
If your trip was impacted by the closures, click here for more information on rebooking or canceling your visit to Disney World — we have a step-by-step guide for ya!
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WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Missed your chance to cast your vote? Tell us if you’d feel comfortable going to Disney World the first day it reopens in the comments below and why!
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I would go today without the slightest hesitation. The risk is extremely slight. 80% have little to no reactionTo being exposed to the virus. Of the remaining 20% less than 6% or so even need treatment. I stand greater risk to my life just traveling there. I currently have trips set in June, July and August. I hope to go on all 3
I hope to be there beginning of June!!!!
There is concern that the virus can return in the fall. I won’t be going back anytime soon. The governor should have prevented the spring breaks from happening; I think he would take his time again, leaving the tourists unprotected. However, the decision to close the parks was up to the Disney organization. I don’t think we saw the last of this plague.
Right now & no problem! If anyone is concerned about their health then stay at home. No one is making you go anywhere – Stay home if you want, let the rest of us LIVE!
Tim, no need to be rude. DFB was asking our opinions and so there they are. Unless you have been living under a rock, you know people have died from the virus. We all want to LIVE. Have a magical day !
I might take some heat for saying this, and I too am dreaming of the day I can go back to Disney, but I caution that just because we love and trust the Disney brand doesn’t mean they aren’t hazard to the same pitfalls as any other heavily populated area and that they can magically make the park extremely hygienic while keeping guests streaming through the gates. Disney Parks have measles and legionnaires outbreaks, and it saddened me to see that Disney didn’t close sooner when it was already extremely clear how high the stakes are with this virus. I saw photos of the crowd levels that day and it was nauseating. As someone who works in public health, it was really disappointing that Disney stayed open through the weekend and didn’t just close that Friday. Its clear individuals do not have the tools to make responsible decisions regarding their health and the health of others, so I think the noble thing for Disney to do would have been to close before the weekend. The decision to stay open underscored the fact that Disney is a business with a bottom line, and that they were willing to compromise the health of their guests to capitalize on guests getting their last Disney fix for a while. I am still a Disney fan, but I think my loyalty has been complicated by their handling.
Thank you, Amanda.
Amanda, I agree with your comments. Did you see the very last night and the crowds that were jammed near the train station to see the characters waving goodbye to everyone? There is a video on YouTube. There was no social distancing. I read a reaction from one of Disney’s descendants when she saw the mob scene the night they closed. I could understand her distress. We left for home on March 6 just before additional precautions were established. I don’t see how Disney will ever go back to the way it was. I love Disney, have been going since the year it opened. I am sad that things have to change. But change is inevitable in everything.
As a physician working in a hard hit region, I warn everyone to not underestimate how deadly this virus is. Everyday i see healthy 30, 40, and 50 year olds get intubated, and many die. Don’t buy the hype that all had pre-existing conditions. This is often mild childhood asthma, or borderline hypertension. You are taking a real risk here.
I’ll listen to my own physician thank you. His advice is it’s not a risk to over 80% of the population. That my risk of being in an accident is greater than even hospitalization from the virus much less worse. That doesn’t discount it being serious to some. Life is a risk. Everyone souls have right to do their personal risk assessment using their doctors advice. Some areas area not hard hit and won’t be due to population density differences
After there’s a vaccine, we’ll return. Until then, no. I hear all the rationalizations about “not a risk to 80% of the population”. My understanding is that’s a guess. The scientists and doctors don’t really know. Even if it were true, I’m not taking a 1 in 5 risk with my life. We go to Disney parks – Florida and California – multiple times per year. I don’t trust others to behave appropriately. I’ve seen lots of people there who are sick or have sick kids because they don’t want to stay in a hotel room when they’ve spent so much on a big family vacation. Those people are putting me at risk.
For those who do choose to go when it’s open, I hope they’re smart and safe – wash your hands often; stay away if you don’t feel well; be courteous towards others.
Having a soft open of businesses does not mean opening WDW to tens of thousands of people every day anymore than it means have Coachella. People already left WDW infected after it stayed open through the weekend and carried it back to North Georgia and passed it onto a mother who is the postmaster general of the city. I have faith that WDW practices what it preaches. OHANA. Part of its magic is its care for others. A lot is at stake.They no doubt will eventually have a soft open of the part. And I feel deeply for the cast members, but WDW is NOT an essential business any more than the beach is at spring break. Grow up. And embrace Ohana.
Princess Ohana,
You are using a term you obviously do not understand. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient enough portion of the population is immune to a disease this can occur via vaccination or by natural immunity , which ONLY occurs if the disease is allowed to spread.
You may step down from your perch now
Tim W., MSN, RN-BC
i wouldn’t think twice about going to Disney right now. I would go the day it reopens.
Watching the news makes you think half of America has this. Do the numbers: Confirmed cases: 738,830. US population. Roughly 328 million.
So a WHOPPING .225% of all Americans have it. (Yes that’s POINT TWO percent) for more usable numbers that 225 people out of 100,000 people.
So yes I won’t think twice about going back to Disney once it opens.
I cancelled our visit as I feel Disney will reopen cautiously. If we are going to spend a lot of money to get over there, I want to be sure Disneyland and WDW are at full strength. If it isn’t then we may put it of again or change which country we go to. As of writing this it may depend on if America is safe to go to, with the incitement to riot coming from your President.
We would love to go on our planned trip in November,. It will be our kids’ first visit, but we will definitely reschedule if they require wearing masks. That would absolutely kill the whole experience.
Depends when they decide to open. I’ll only go when there’s a vaccine available. Asymptomatic guests can still spread the virus and there’s no way to truly social distance in the parks. I love Disney but there’s no way I would put a family member’s life in danger for a vacation.
Our trip is planned and has been for a whole year! June 1st through the 10th .
We are so worried we will have to cancel it 🙁
We are crossing our fingers Disney will open its gates June 1st and we will be there! Disney Is always striving for perfection and many times it is exactly what they give I trust this time when they reopen it will be the same!❤️
I believe Disney will use an abundance of caution in determining when to reopen. I hope to be able to go on our August trip, but may be wearing a face mask. Time will tell.
We are booked for mid June. One healthy adult and one teen. I’m not worried.
I miss Disney, but I don’t want to go to unnecessary places until a vaccine is out. My husband has second hand smoke damage, so I want to avoid getting sick as much as possible, because I don’t want to get him sick.
We visited over the Christmas holidays; and two of our party of four got sick 😷 from that trip. We had planned a trip in early November for the Food and Wine Festival, but recently canceled it. We have been DVC members for 25 years; so we have been to WDW many times over the years. We also lived in Southern California for 23 years; and visited Disneyland and California Adventure many times. We could even hear and see the fireworks in the summer each night. We will stick to National Parks (when they open) for now. Even for DVC members, Disney is very expensive, so it makes much more sense to wait. As many others have stated, Disney can’t control their guests in the parks. Until it is safe, I will visit much less crowded places until a vaccine and treatments are readily available.