Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[PrincessV]

Rumblings of plexiglass testing coming to MFSR

I'm picturing something like the plastic sheets on KS/LWTL: plexi behind the pilots' seats and gunners' seats? I can't see any way to put plexi to the sides of the seats... unless they stagger seating? So 3 people in a cockpit might be seated left pilot, right gunner, left engineer?

Dear Disney- that’s hillarious. Are you gonna open the tops of those tiny rooms for some extra air while you’re at it? Install an airplane level HEPA filtration system? Maybe you didn’t notice, Mr. Mouse, but airplanes didn’t throw up some plexiglass and call it a day...

personally I’ve supported the increases in ride capacity- but that room is too tiny for too long for me to be willing to risk being seated in a plane with a jerk who takes their mask off every chance they get.

Exactly. More and more it feels like the only stringent safety elements that are going to stick are those demanded for CMs by the union: Guest safety is getting pushed to the absolute limits in the name of putting more people in parks. Which is fine for those who will be able to be vaccinated, but a real bummer for folks like me who are currently told not to get it due to past adverse reactions to other vaccines. (Though I'm very much hoping that in the not-too-distant future that warning will change.)

 

[figmentfinesse]

SPRING IS SPRINGING! (or something like that...)

Flower/Garden (taste of Epcot?) March 3rd - July 5th, 2021

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...f-epcot-international-flower-garden-festival/

Oh my gosh that's long for Flower and Garden! Now I just have to hope Food and Wine starts by early August for my trip.

 

[rpb718]

SPRING IS SPRINGING! (or something like that...)

Flower/Garden (taste of Epcot?) March 3rd - July 5th, 2021

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...f-epcot-international-flower-garden-festival/

I'm shocked it's lasting until right after July 4, but then again that would put us almost exactly where we were when WDW reopened in July 2020 making this a full year of EPCOT festivals. I'm wondering if we'll be getting another round of "A Taste of F&W" starting mid-July after this.

 

[LSUmiss]

So you can only park hop between certain hours? Interesting... probably fine for the majority, but throws a wrench in the plans for those who liked to just go do an hour or two at one park to knock out their faves, then move on to something else.

I would be fine with it if they extend park hours. But with Epcot & DH’s closing the latest, it’ll mean more ppl do ak & mk first.

 

[Eeyore daily]

SPRING IS SPRINGING! (or something like that...)

Flower/Garden (taste of Epcot?) March 3rd - July 5th, 2021

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...f-epcot-international-flower-garden-festival/

That means it actually happens during my birthday for once! Guess I don't have to go in April now to enjoy it.

 

[rpb718]

My instant reaction was to laugh at this but I don’t want it to feel like I’m laughing at you!

Dear Disney- that’s hillarious. Are you gonna open the tops of those tiny rooms for some extra air while you’re at it? Install an airplane level HEPA filtration system? Maybe you didn’t notice, Mr. Mouse, but airplanes didn’t throw up some plexiglass and call it a day...

personally I’ve supported the increases in ride capacity- but that room is too tiny for too long for me to be willing to risk being seated in a plane with a jerk who takes their mask off every chance they get. And don’t even get me started on the fact that even with 20/20 vision I can barely tell what’s happening from the back as I slap away at the buttons without plexiglass in the way...

There are some rides at WDW where the added plexiglass detracts from the overall experience enough to make me want to avoid in the future. I have a feeling MFSR could be another of those rides.

 

[PrincessV]

I would be fine with it if they extend park hours. But with Epcot & DH’s closing the latest, it’ll mean more ppl do ak & mk first.

Which may be a plus for hitting MK/AK later in the day? That would be nice for us non-RDers!

 

[Mit88]

Let’s not forget that January, especially without Marathon weekend doesn’t look to be a very busy month with incoming travelers. So while the Park Hopping is going to be a slow return with minimal hours to start, it’s only going to increase as we get further from Jan 1st, and as we get further from Jan 1st, we get closer to things returning/debuting.

 

[only hope]

I'm picturing something like the plastic sheets on KS/LWTL: plexi behind the pilots' seats and gunners' seats? I can't see any way to put plexi to the sides of the seats... unless they stagger seating? So 3 people in a cockpit might be seated left pilot, right gunner, left engineer?


Exactly. More and more it feels like the only stringent safety elements that are going to stick are those demanded for CMs by the union: Guest safety is getting pushed to the absolute limits in the name of putting more people in parks. Which is fine for those who will be able to be vaccinated, but a real bummer for folks like me who are currently told not to get it due to past adverse reactions to other vaccines. (Though I'm very much hoping that in the not-too-distant future that warning will change.)

Disney (and Universal now on some attractions) has already eliminated guest safety. Any place where you are within six feet of someone, plexiglass or not, isn’t safe. Scientific studies have shown that plexiglass is not a substitute for masks and distancing. With cases skrocketing they need to make an effort to keep people apart, not think of ways to bring people closer.

Went to Universal a few days ago. Procedures had changed on some rides since the last time I went. Loading every row, one party per row, on Gringotts, Men in Black, and Mummy. Could be others but I didn’t ride everything; I’ve heard Rip Ride and Hulk are the same way but I don’t do big coasters. Unlike at Disney, TM were very reluctant to accommodate our request to mantain a safe distance from others on the ride. Went to guest services to politely complain and tm didn’t even know they were loading every row, let alone know why they aren’t following the health standards given by the scientists and listed on their own website, on their signs, and on their audio recordings. At this rate I may just drop both passes and never return after they expire. Businesses have a responsibility to do what they can to keep people safe. Profit is not more important than people’s health and lives.

 

[CarolynFH]

I have some details on how this will work but I can't disclose them.
I can say people will be annoyed about the change if it does happen

So this isn’t in progress now? Probably won’t be installed by next week? I hope?

 

[jlwhitney]

There are some rides at WDW where the added plexiglass detracts from the overall experience enough to make me want to avoid in the future. I have a feeling MFSR could be another of those rides.

I wonder if all the plexiglass is temporary or will stay permanent.

 

[hereforthechurros]

I wonder if all the plexiglass is temporary or will stay permanent.

I’ve had this thought countless times as most restaurants and shops where have installed plexiglass of some sort. Decent investment to do I’m sure, so will places be quick to lose it? I hope so. Although I would understand if they stayed up at the grocery stores. Those cashiers helping hundreds of not thousands a day may like staying protected after the fact.

 

[jlwhitney]

I’ve had this thought countless times as most restaurants and shops where have installed plexiglass of some sort. Decent investment to do so I’m sure so will places be quick to lose it? I hope so. Although I would understand if they stayed up at the grocery stores. Those cashiers helping hundreds of not thousands a day may like staying protected after the fact.

I depends on what they put up. I think stores and such as they break they won't replace in time. But some of the restaurants that put them up dividing booths I love, gives more privacy between parties especially for when you have kids, they can turn around and drop stuff over the back and such, or get in the other parties hair (literal or or not....lol).

On rides, oh please they better go since they often do ruin the views and such and make you feel so squished in.

 

[sullivan.kscott]

There are some rides at WDW where the added plexiglass detracts from the overall experience enough to make me want to avoid in the future. I have a feeling MFSR could be another of those rides.

Agreed 100%. I enjoyed the shorter wait for MMRR Thanksgiving week, but behind the divider it was distracting. I didn’t mind it as much on Soarin’, Land, KS (really thought it would bother me there), and almost anything else. MFSR is one where I just can’t be a Disney apologist if it comes to be.

 

[rteetz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1339989498944319488

 

[sullivan.kscott]

I’ve had this thought countless times as most restaurants and shops where have installed plexiglass of some sort. Decent investment to do so I’m sure so will places be quick to lose it? I hope so. Although I would understand if they stayed up at the grocery stores. Those cashiers helping hundreds of not thousands a day may like staying protected after the fact.

I depends on what they put up. I think stores and such as they break they won't replace in time. But some of the restaurants that put them up dividing booths I love, gives more privacy between parties especially for when you have kids, they can turn around and drop stuff over the back and such, or get in the other parties hair (literal or or not....lol).

On rides, oh please they better go since they often do ruin the views and such and make you feel so squished in.

Agreed that POS points, hotel check-in, even bus drivers and TSA places could and maybe should stay. Some of the attraction queue switchback areas are painfully stifling with it though (looking at you, SDD and BTMR), and ride cars in particular absolutely must go once the pandemic is in the rear view.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Disney (and Universal now on some attractions) has already eliminated guest safety. Any place where you are within six feet of someone, plexiglass or not, isn’t safe. Scientific studies have shown that plexiglass is not a substitute for masks and distancing. With cases skrocketing they need to make an effort to keep people apart, not think of ways to bring people closer.

Went to Universal a few days ago. Procedures had changed on some rides since the last time I went. Loading every row, one party per row, on Gringotts, Men in Black, and Mummy. Could be others but I didn’t ride everything; I’ve heard Rip Ride and Hulk are the same way but I don’t do big coasters. Unlike at Disney, TM were very reluctant to accommodate our request to mantain a safe distance from others on the ride. Went to guest services to politely complain and tm didn’t even know they were loading every row, let alone know why they aren’t following the health standards given by the scientists and listed on their own website, on their signs, and on their audio recordings. At this rate I may just drop both passes and never return after they expire. Businesses have a responsibility to do what they can to keep people safe. Profit is not more important than people’s health and lives.

I can understand the justification on outdoor rides and I can somewhat get it on constantly moving/fast indoor ones even though I would not personally be comfortable. MFSR is different, plexiglass or not. It’s small closed in spaces where you are stationary. People focus way too much on 6 feet and 15 minutes IMO, and have interpreted it as a near guaranteed safe zone that will prevent you from getting infected.

Seems like a bad idea but everywhere is so chaotic right now nobody would ever be able to reliably prove they caught Covid at WDW and catching it at a public place (even WDW) is no longer headline worthy so maybe they just don’t care.

 

[LSUmiss]

Disney (and Universal now on some attractions) has already eliminated guest safety. Any place where you are within six feet of someone, plexiglass or not, isn’t safe. Scientific studies have shown that plexiglass is not a substitute for masks and distancing. With cases skrocketing they need to make an effort to keep people apart, not think of ways to bring people closer.

Went to Universal a few days ago. Procedures had changed on some rides since the last time I went. Loading every row, one party per row, on Gringotts, Men in Black, and Mummy. Could be others but I didn’t ride everything; I’ve heard Rip Ride and Hulk are the same way but I don’t do big coasters. Unlike at Disney, TM were very reluctant to accommodate our request to mantain a safe distance from others on the ride. Went to guest services to politely complain and tm didn’t even know they were loading every row, let alone know why they aren’t following the health standards given by the scientists and listed on their own website, on their signs, and on their audio recordings. At this rate I may just drop both passes and never return after they expire. Businesses have a responsibility to do what they can to keep people safe. Profit is not more important than people’s health and lives.

More importantly individuals have a responsibility to keep themselves safe. So if something feels unsafe, perhaps you shouldn’t visit as you have stated.

 

[Jennasis]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1339989498944319488

Wow...this seems like a monumentally bad idea. Of course I want the village to be up and running, but it really seems like a very very bad idea.

 

[rteetz]

Wow...this seems like a monumentally bad idea. Of course I want the village to be up and running, but it really seems like a very very bad idea.

I don’t think they would do something that they thought was a bad idea. They clearly know what they are doing, they’ve been doing it for a long time. I don’t think they will be opening as normal either. It is likely a phased approach with limited offerings. A place that is supposed to be a happy place for critically ill kids is likely a place that has consulted medical experts on this as well.