Just yesterday, the Disneyland community heard the news that mass gatherings probably won’t be allowed for many months in California.
Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
Today, we’re wondering what the future holds for Disney World. Florida’s Surgeon General made a statement that could have major implications for the reopening of the Disney parks — that Florida should get used to the current situation until a vaccine exists, no matter how long that takes.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees told reporters that Florida would need to get used to the current health measures in place, as it will be important that everyone stays away from crowds until a vaccine is made available.
Florida-themed Orange Bird Mural
Until the virus is removed from the environment, “we’re going to have to practice these measures so that we are all protected,” says Rivkees. He called the current situation “our new normal” until a vaccine can be developed. Rivkees also mentioned that a vaccine could be months or even more than a year away.
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
So what does this mean for Disney World and its reopening? Well, many of the decisions made about park closures thus far have been based on data and information from health experts and local political officials, and we anticipate that pattern will continue. We’re paying very close attention to these types of comments referencing what may need to happen before the parks can reopen, and the news out of California yesterday and these comments from the Surgeon General in Florida recently give us a bit more insight into what health experts are thinking regarding mass gatherings for the foreseeable future.
Knowing that Disney’s top priority is the safety of its guests and cast members means that, very likely, they will take every precaution to ensure it — including not opening their gates until it’s safe to do so. But Disney is also likely looking for ways to start making magic — safely — a little bit sooner. That’s why quotes coming out of the exec offices at Disney, like Bob Iger speaking about potential health screenings and temperature checks at the parks, are so important to keep an eye on.
Right now, we’re reading between the lines of what’s happening, watching, and waiting. We will report with any developments in the Florida health situation and how it affects Disney World.
Click here to learn about the projections for California.
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And the entire economy of Florida outside of agriculture will collapse, so that will be fun.
My days of not taking him seriously are certainly coming to a middle.
Seriously though, Disney can’t require everyone that comes into the parks be vaccinated, that’s insane and would cripple them. Furthermore, a vaccine is *AT LEAST* 14 months away, not “could be” so he’s..not even sharing information correctly. I think he needs to hush and be replaced.
I love how all of these articles leave out the fact that he was immediately kicked out of the news conference after making those remarks the governor wasn’t having it . There is no way it going to happen.
You can’t make people get vaccines. Nor can you make people from other countries. There are thousands and millions of bugs and diseases that don’t have vaccines this is ridiculous. And there may never be one it is a virus it will mutate just like the flu. We can’t go on like this forever. I’m sure it is helping and it is taught the world a lesson but as an ICU nurse, the numbers of deaths from people physically dying may be decreasing oh, but I can tell you firsthand, that the health care workers are dying from the inside out
His comment is ridiculous. Although it sounds nice to be so self righteous, in the real world it’s not going to work. Is this the danger surgeon general they removed from the press conference??
This is absolutely ridiculous! Come on everyone…wake up and speak up!
You have to wonder what the REAL motivation is to make statements like that! This guy, as do the others making such statements, KNOW a vaccine may not EVER materialize. I am 100% willing to return to normal NOW! No “distancing”, no masks, no vaccine. This will end up with around 50k dead which is the high end of a normal flu season. These measures are ridiculous and continuing them is insane
It’s easy for these politicians and bureaucrats to say everything should shut down for months (or even years). Their jobs aren’t affected by the shutdown. No matter how long the shutdown lasts, they will keep their jobs and paychecks because their paychecks are paid by the tax payers. If they lost their jobs because of the shutdown like millions of others have, they would be singing a different tune. It’s easy to live in a theoretical world when you don’t have to suffer the results of your recommendations.
No way that can work. If you want Disney to file for bankruptcy and your economy to collapse that will do it.
I do really love this website, but in the past month it seems like some of you live in Fantasyland.
Wondering when to make reservations, should I go this year or next, will my reservation be cancelled.
Wake up sleeping beauty what is going on right now is not make believe.
The parks are not going to open anytime soon. They will be one of the last things to open when we do start going back to a new normal.
Disney can not risk the public outcry if they open up now and have a break out in one of there parks. If that happens they would have to shut down again.
Let’s get real this company is for entertainment which is not essential at this time.
If you are that upset because you can’t go to the parks or your vacation was interrupted because of this virus, then I am very happy that this is your only problem in life.
If you are employed by Disney than I do feel there sorry for you since this was not of your doing.
But I am sure that you as well don’t want to go back to work until it is safe.
You have to remember that a vaccine is not 100% effective. The flu shot was only about 51% effective. So the opinion of Rockers is just that…an opinion. Plus is he going to ban those from the state that don’t get the vaccine?
I understand that everyone needs to work but best work at planting a garden, bumping up cooking skills and doing home projects. We can all help each other from afar but honestly you cant spend your money if you are dying, and if you give it to everyone e how you gonna feel. Not living in fear just living and getting in touch with it all.
He was just removed from the MEETING, not from OFFICE.
If the economy doesn’t open this year Disney may never re-open friends. Maintenance needs to be maintained on all equipment at the resorts and parks and that will stop when the money runs out. Just won’t be practical. That goes for almost all businesses too. Get ready for great big beautiful tomorrow.
And right there will be the collapse of Disney. They don’t understand the current anti-vaccine opinion (this one in particular) and people will refuse to go. This is so disheartening and infuriating. What a mistake!
Ridiculous statement. There is a flu vaccine and some choose not to get it even though the flu is rampant every year plus the flu vaccine is only 40-60% effective. People are going to get flu and people are going to get COVID.
It’s a different call to reopen the parks, but to wait until a vaccine is made and available to the public can take years. If you watch other counties getting over the virus they are opening their economy slowly. I think that is what the U. S. should do. If we go on like it is for too long, there won’t be an economy left. It will collapse.
Here in the UK we have many experts coming out of the woodwork with similar statement – I appreciate that peoples safety is a priority, however no western economy can sustain this for months. The more jobs that go the less tax revenue & it would only be a matter of time before there are mass protests, riots etc.
It will need to get to the point where normality has to return or the world will start to resemble something out of Mad Max! It may mean that people who are in the vulnerable category need to isolate themselves as well as they can until a vaccine is available but governments cant keep >99% of the population under lock-down!
This is not the ‘new normal’ this is just off. The spread is finally slowing down, and we can expect things to start to open again, so we can assume Disney will open sometime soon also.
I’ve been reading all the comments over the last few weeks and it is time to speak up. Robin I totally agree with you! As for the comment about Disney being pure entertainment, tell that to the thousands of cast members and Florida businesses that depend on Disney for their livelihood and supporting their families. It’s far reaching. If the economy collapses, it’s not going to matter who has COVID. Let people make their own decisions. If you are afraid of getting the virus and are in that health category where you could be severely impacted by it, then stay home.
I completely understand the “better safe than sorry” mentality, and I don’t want to throw mud in the faces of medical professionals who are working hard to protect us and sustain us – but at the same time, we can’t live as though the worst case scenario is the only scenario. The virus is a serious and ongoing concern, but people need to be able to get out and share hugs and smiles again or the economy will be the least of our worries. I trust Disney to make prudent decisions with an emphasis on safety and health with regard to whether or not the parks should be made accessible. If they are open, we will be there.
@Steve If you are so deeply offended by people thinking about Disney World and wondering when the parks might open — why are you on a site about the parks reading about their potential reopening? Is your new form of entertainment being arrogant and holier than thou to try to make people feel bad for missing their favorite place and wanting things to return to normal?
Educate yourself about the Great Depression. During that time of tremendous hardship and pain, movie theaters, plays, and other forms of entertainment increased in business. People need an escape, they need something to take their minds off the difficulty they are facing and the hurt they are dealing with every day.
Of course, a canceled vacation is not the only problem people have in their lives. Don’t be asinine and condescending. But it is another layer of disappointment. Another thing a child might have to miss out on after already losing the end of their school year, dance recitals, sporting events, awards assemblies, birthday parties, and activities they love. A honeymoon a couple has been saving for since they got engaged. A last trip with elderly grandparents. A family reunion that will never be able to happen again. A once-in-a-lifetime performance trip with their school they have been training for all year. A graduation celebration. A wedding. A vacation might be a luxury, but it is also an important part of life and a treasured memory for many people. When they are already going through loss, fear, uncertainty, and pain, also having to deal with that joy being taken away from them is extremely painful and upsetting.
Some perspective for you … my brother nearly died from alcoholism brought on by severe depression and anxiety intensified by autism. When I brought him to Disney World for his first trip (he was thirty), I saw him smile his first genuine smile in five years. When we got home, he checked himself into a hospital for extensive treatment to repair his liver and got into treatment for his depression and anxiety. He handed me a t-shirt I got him for the trip and told me to hang onto it, that he would need it when we went again the next year. That was six years ago. Last year, he brought his girlfriend, telling her Disney World saved his life and the magic and peace he finds there is what he pushes through all the challenges of life for. For those of us with mental health challenges and cognitive differences, Disney World is not just a theme park. It is where we feel safe, acknowledged, understood, and comfortable. It is literally what kept my brother alive.
And to give context to this closure … a nine-year-old girl in my Girl Scout Troop was supposed to be there this weekend with her entire extended family. It was to be her first time going to Disney World and the first time in years all the aunts, uncles, and cousins were able to be together with the matriarch of the family. They came together to celebrate the life of one of the seven siblings who was shot in the head and killed. They will likely never have this opportunity again.
So next time you decide to rattle your mouth off about how unimportant something like Disney World is during a crisis like this, get over yourself and realize there are other people in this world whose don’t see things the way you do. Your outlook isn’t the end-all be-all, and attacking people for being upset is the last thing our society needs right now.
Disney will cease to exist. The company is fully dependent on crowds – in parks, theaters and live events. Perhaps Disney and Apple swing a deal. Unless that happens, the company is toast.
Very well said Steve! I love Disney just as much as everyone else but under the circumstances we need to think about our health & safety. If the parks were to reopen too soon & cause a new breakout of Covid, that would be horrible & the park would have to shut down again. We need to just be patient, wait for a vaccine & ride this out. Unfortunately this is what needs to be done
Vanessa, you are so right.
Venessa- amen sister!
Steve, very wise words.
This is so stupid, come on people if we keep the USA close we have no purpose and there will be more gun fire, suicidal people. Open Disney the happiest place and take temperatures of each person going threw gates. God says we can not live our life’s in fear.
You both make valid points IMO.
Let me answer your questions.
I get the newsletter / E-mail so every once in awhile I read it.
It just seems lately that the people that contribute to it are not being realistic about what is going on. I understand people want to go back to normal, but that is not going to happen.
Are you really trying to compare this to the Great Depression. The Great Depression was not caused by a virus. Back then you could not get sick or make other people sick if you went out for entertainment.
Huge difference, and the reason the parks are not open today.
Then you list all things that could be missed because if this, I ask you is the disappointment of any of those bigger than getting sick or dying.
I am happy about how your brothers trip effected his life, that is the magic of Disney and I hope it continues for your family and others.
Look I love Disney just as much as any in fact in 2018 I visited 8 parks (Paris, Anaheim & Orlando) so I understand how it can help you forget about your problems, or the problems going on in the world. I just don’t think it’s right to give false hope of it opening up anytime soon.
@vanessa wow! Nicely put!! @steve just seems like one of those negative prone individuals. Perhaps he’s carrying a little to much anxiety over the current health and economic crisis. Or perhaps he’s just a cynical individual. Either way sounds to me like he could use some Disney Magic in his life!
Seriously, I’m sure there a few Disney fans who either have contracted COVID19 or have friends and family members who have. Cast members as well. I’m sure everyone of them realizes that the health of themselves or loved ones is far more important than a vacation or going to a park. Steve I think you really need to think about what your typing before you actually post. Common sense would have or should have prevented you from posting what you wrote. 😄Laugh out loud😄! We all understand how the stresses and anxieties of the current situation can get to us. But don’t let it control you.
Keep a brighter perspective Steve . Things will get better. Strive for that positive mentality Steve. The sun still shines although the rain falls, it’s simply behind the clouds. Most of all, be a force for encouragement and not discouragement. Steve, you can do this.
The problem is that the whole shelter in place/quarantine directives are that they are short term solutions. It is effective and is/was the best option to start getting an immediate handle on the situation. It cannot be the long term solution. The country/world cannot be confined to their homes for 6, 12, 18 months with the hopes that an effective vaccine is available at some point (and that people will actually get it). I think wearing masks anytime you are in public is a good start, but at this point there just has to be a better answer than isolation. Life needs to resume and people need to get back to work and back to enjoying friends, family, and life in general.
And to piggyback on Vanessa’s post… we had a trip planned for March 20th which meant we found out about a week before we were to leave that the parks were closed and our trip was cancelled. Having to tell my 3 year old, that was literally in the process of picking which toys to take with her, that we can’t go and have no idea whether we will get to go later or not was one of the most gut-wrenching things that I’ve had to do as a parent. However, I cannot even imagine what is happening to all the people in the Make A Wish and similar programs. Not everyone can just put their whole life on hold for a year.
Steve, you have no clue what Disney means to some people. You have no concept of the mental/emotional impact Disney has on some people. I think the Depression is an excellent analogy. It shows how people need to have social interaction. They need a human touch. You can’t keep people locked up all the time without them going stir crazy. It’s apparent you have never had to deal with someone with mental/emotional disabilities. Go away.
Dave, I agree with you. The numbers right now just do not justify the restrictions. More people die from the flu each and every year than have died so far from Covid 19. I am not saying Covid 19 is not something to be watched, taken seriously, and something not to take precautions for. I have 3 high risk people in my house right now. One of them is me. My wife and son are the only ones we are allowing out of the house right now because of the virus because they are considered essential workers. My wife and son take ridiculous precautions before coming back into our home. However, this virus will pass and things will get back to normal. Probably slowly at first, but will still get back to normal.
I have every confidence that Disney will take all necessary precautions when they are allowed to open back up. If they want to take my temperature, go for it. I just think waiting for a vaccine is unreasonable. They are talking a year maybe more. The economy and the people, can’t take it.
Disney has always done what is right for the people who visit them, just like after 9/11. People who truly love Disney won’t have a problem with any new precautions Disney wants to take. BUT, people do NEED Disney. I am one of them. I think this whole thing has been blown out of proportion.
Steve is just being realistic. There is a flu vaccine but there isn’t any for COVID-19. That’s the difference. This is not the flu people. It’s pernicious. Most people don’t present with a fever at all and there’s a longer incubation time and a much higher fatality rate. People get so upset because they don’t want to hear the truth. I have no idea what Disney will do. I’m sure they don’t even know yet.
Surgeon General Scott Rivkees did not say that the entire economy should remain closed or that people should remain home in fear. The story says that he cautioned that mass gatherings and other crowded situations aren’t going to be wise until there’s a vaccine. He, therefore, doesn’t preclude Disney opening up in some different form that balances economy and fun with avoiding unreasonable risk.
I get that people are extremely disappointed to miss out on their Disney trips (ours would have started Monday.) It’s realistic for us to be prepared that the re-opening may be farther off and more dramatically different than we’d all like in order to diminish the odds of contributing to sickness and death for cast members, guests, and communities to which guests return.
My biggest concern is for cast members who have lost their jobs. Honest communication is to their benefit as well, even if it isn’t good news.
SO if no vaccine is developed in 18 to 24 months, then what?? Is he gonna let the economy of Florida go down the drain. We can’t live in fear, and there is no way everyone will get the vaccine if and when it will be developed.. They are gonna have to figure out how to open parks, including Universal, Bush Gardens etc.
Let me share my story and how Disney had helped me. I am a fully disabled military veteran and suffer from combat PTSD. Going to disney allowed for with careful planning to have something with my husband and kids that I never though I would. Now over the past 3 years I plan and tailor it be least stressful and fun for all. Now also as someone who has been to combat this situation with covid is very similar to going overseas. You’re restricted, you have a unseen enemy, and you dont know what could happen next. So let me just say you need motivation and morale boosting things to get through a deployment. This is no different. No one should down play trip planning or anything that gives people something to look forward too. Everyone needs that and speaking as someone whose been in a worse situation of a 12 month and 15 month deployment to Iraq. But you all need to keep in mind complacency gets people in bad way but being hyper vigilant and aware we could all get through this and be smart about it. As for vaccines I’ve had both small pox and anthrax vaccines for deployments.
I’ve read all these comments on wether Disney should open or not . That Florida’s economy will collapse, people are out of work the vaccine will only be 51% effective,I bet that person isn’t a doctor, but every year everyone still gets the shot, wether it works or not. One person even compared this to the Great Depression, be real, this is like nothing anything we have ever experienced before in our lifetime . I believe Disney should reopen as soon as possible too, but at the proper time I agree that if your afraid to go then stay home , but all of you that go may bring it home to me. I want to go back to work as bad as the next guy , but I don’t want to re- enter the workforce and get sick, or have you get sick either. People are talking that their willing to take the chance and go back to work. Well are you willing to play Russian roulette , because that’s what you will be doing. Old people are dying, young people are dying, there is no group that is immune to this disease. I miss Disney World as much as the next person ,so when is the right time, well lets listen to what the professionals say, scientist, and doctors. We need social distancing ,we see how it is working , how can we possible do that in the crowds in Disney We need testing all around the country and follow up contacts first. That doesn’t seam to be an important factor to this president. We may be turning the infection curve down but if we don’t have precaution in place the curve will go back up. Yes most people who will get it will recover, but remember no group is immune ,do you want to be a statistic ,dead is forever, dead does not need a job ,dead doesn’t need to care about how the economy is , dead causes suffering to those we leave behind So when should Disney reopen , think hard , your mothers ,kids, grandparents and yes your life may depend on your decision. Oh yes I for got my life, and others , life may depend on your decision too
Tim, Your facts are mostly correct, However the point you fail to make is the annual death rate from the flue. The annual death rate from Covid-19, if left unchecked will be in the Millions……..Major Difference!
@Tim
It was because of those numbers, the previous administration started a pandemic task force, that our present administration chose to scuttle in 2018. Imagine if they were still around monitoring world health events. How much more quickly would our reaction been, by seeing this coming sooner.
Who gave you the right to say that there will be a time when everyone can be turned loose, except me, and people like me, only because no one will exactly know where the “danger” line is? At least with other medical dilemmas, the line was more defined. True it may never totally ever go away, but like HIV, we have found ways to manage it and let those suffering from it out of their personal jail.
“Prepare for the worst, hope for the best . . .”
It just dawned on me, we are all speculating on what any of this means for us and Disney’s affect on our lives. In the end, it will be Disney’s decision on if, how, or when to open. And it won’t be until THEY are convinced any reward outweighs any risk. Only they will know what the final toll on their business finanials.
AOM, No, it will not be nor was it ever going to be. The model accounted for social distancing from day one when the prediction was over 2 million dead in the US. It is constantly being revised downward. BTW, I am a board certified RN with a background in Public health and infectious disease. The cure cannot be worse than the disease and right now, it pretty much is. We cannot stay holed up indefinitely waiting on a vaccine that may never arrive, or will likely be only half effective and only half the population will take. Right now the BEST option is to allow people to make their own informed decisions. If you are immune comprised and,or over 65 then take extra precautions, otherwise take routine precautions such as frequent handwashing.
What’s to say this hasn’t been around since last fall. A vaccine isn’t going to do squat as this is already mutating. Many reported getting the flu and in some cases A & B even though they received the shot. Temperature check and mask. It all comes down to personal hygiene and not going out when you’re ill.
Vanessa, you go girl! I agree with everything you said. Steve (and some of the others), maybe every once in a while you should see the glass half full. My daughter and I are APs, and we just returned from Disney on March 6th. We are happy we went before it closed, and we are waiting for it to reopen again. DFB, thanks for all your updates. It keeps us connected.
Given a vaccine might never happen the best would be testing and treatment. Maybe for this summer Disney might think about restricting visits to everyone staying on Property. Have them tested the first day of arrival and they stay on Disney property for the entire stay. Cast Members are tested everyday. If one is tested negative than they can enjoy the trip without restrictions since if all on property are tested as negative than no danger. This assumes that quick and reliable testing is available. So arrival day would be a hassle but the vacation stay would be magical. Could also add a limited number of season holders who would need to be tested each day. People would be safe, park would not be as crowded, WDW could open and it would be a magical experience. Otherwise other measures like social distancing, therefore limited rides, limited meal reservations and constant fear would equal a lot of money spent for a very non-magical experience.
When pro sports open, and they will, that will be when Disney reopens.
Try to keep in mind that we are ~ 2 months in to this.
Viruses are crap shoots, they older, smarter and faster than we are and have been around since the beginning.
Relax, take a deep breath, be grateful and help who you can, where you with what you have.
Dennis, Thats a lot of misinformation there! The “numbers” are from this year, not a projection from the “previous administration”. And no, the present administration did not disband or scuttle the pandemic response team. That’s 100% verifiably false! What actually happened is that the team of which you speak is a subunit of the National Security Council and ONE person left the team and was not replaced. Stop buying and worse yet peddling falsehoods.