The Orange County Economic Task Force has been hard at work envisioning what Florida theme parks will need to do to open.
Grand Floridian Resort in Disney World
In multiple meetings last week the group, which includes Disney World representatives, started to discuss potential reopening measures for theme parks. Most notably, they discussed some recommendations when it comes to opening theme parks and hotels — like those in Disney World.
The reopening recommendations aren’t mandatory! Like Captain Barbossa says in Pirates of the Caribbean, they’re “more what you’d call ‘guidelines’ than actual rules.” So it will be at the individual theme park’s discretion on which ones they utilize and which ones they don’t. Still, let’s take a look at what the Task Force has recommended for theme parks.
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Task Force has suggested a phased reopening for the theme parks. The first phase would have the parks operating at 50% capacity, the next would have them at 75% capacity, and the final phase would constitute a full-capacity reopening. For the first two phases, they are recommending that individuals age 65 and up be discouraged from visiting.
Magic Kingdom Crowds on Final Night
It was also recommended that theme parks should wipe down surfaces and railings regularly and install touchless hand sanitizer dispensers at all ticketing and entry areas, turnstiles, and entry and exit points for attractions.
Similar to the recommendations for restaurants, ride queues could encourage people to keep their distance from one another. Part of the guidelines includes a suggestion for markings on the ground in lines to tell guests where to stand so that there is 6 feet between them.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run FastPass Queue
Depending on which guidelines Disney chooses to institute, Cast Members may see some changes to the way they work their shifts. The Task Force has envisioned employees in face masks and temperatures being taken at the start of a shift. 100.4 degrees or higher or flu-like symptoms would mean that an employee should be sent home.
Universal Studios mentioned that they could potentially implement these processes along with a few others last week. You can read more about that here.
Le Petit Cafe Cast Members
Outside of the parks, the Task Force has discussed some interesting potential changes for hotels. It’s possible that Florida hotels, including the Disney World resorts, could institute sneeze guards at check-in counters and the removal of coffee makers, coffee cups, glassware, and minibar contents from rooms.
Again, these are all suggestions and Disney has not commented on their plan of action at this time. We will continue to keep you posted on suggestions and other information for future re-opening plans as they are shared.
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What do you think of these suggested guidelines? Tell us in the comments!
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This post appears to conflate the Reopen Florida Task Force with the Orange Country Economic Recovery Task Force. It opens by discussing the Florida task force before citing a People article specifically about the Orange County task force, and then goes from there.
How would you even get to Magic Kingdom. The monorail cabins would be hard to keep 6 feet apart and so would the ferry boat. The other parks you can drive in your car to get to them
So if phase 1 starts May 4th when does phase 2 start where the park would open?
They would need to limit the number of people on the ferry or in the monorail cabins. For the monorail you could do one family per cabin. I am sure they will figure it out.
There is one category thats not mentioned. Restaurants and stores at Disney Springs. In-addition, restaurants within the hotel resorts. These locations are different categories from within the parks.
Mark W
Why would Disney take the coffee makers, cups and other small sundries from hotel rooms? For taking medications and just for creature convenience please leave these things in rooms. Change to dispensers for cups etc. Fill only when room is terminally cleaned. The food courts must have all of that available and that is where the concentration of people is greatest. Have people wash or gel their hands before entry into food courts like you must do on cruise ships.
For the cafeteria restaurants the same thing should apply -set up hand washing/gel stations everywhere at entrances to EVERYTHING. Make it mandatory to make reservations for many attractions similar to fast pass either before guests arrive or when they check in. Monitor how many people CAN be in any park at one time and alert guests with their phones or bands/ visible or audio, as to when to go to their attraction or rides.
Look how crowded MK was on the last night .. and NO OUTBREAK happened! And they were hugging and shaking hands!! Just open back up, please!
They won’t until another major park does.once again it’s time to be politically correct and the corporation wouldn’t dare to be the first possible fail even if they could be the first success.btw,the nba wants to finish this season in the disney sports complex.the parks can wait till after The Finals
I don’t see Disney ever reopening.
I know Disney switched to refiillable shampoos and soaps. I hope this encourages them to get rid of those. I find the concept gross. But I am wondering if they will charge less for the rooms. With no amenities, it’s just a room.
I have a question. If, during the first 2 phases of the park re openings seniors 65 and older will be discouraged from attending. Will Disney be crediting those months of the first 2 phases onto the seniors annual passes?
Paying top dollar to own DVC I would be really angry if there were no coffee makers, cookware & dishes etc..
I would want lower points if I were going to lose the perks
Soft opening of only pass holders to say Thank you since travel is still restricted from many areas. Use common sense approach and if people will do the same, it will be a fantastic time for everyone. Courtesy on the part of guests will go a long way in the success of Disney’s reopening.
Way to soon to reopen! Georgia had 1,000 new cases yesterday!
Over 1.5 million sick that we know of!
I am a AP and DVC owner and i’m not happy about this either but I dont want to be sick!! Or carry it to someone else!