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The Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force held another meeting this morning, and they continued to discuss theme park reopening procedures.
Theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal are a significant part of the Orange County economy. In today’s meeting, it was revealed the reopening task force is looking to give theme parks a bit more leniency when determining their reopening timeline.
Yesterday, the task force laid out an initial set of guidelines for theme parks, hotels, bars, and restaurants to reopen.
In todays meeting, Chuck Whittall, President of Unicorp, and Thomas Mazloum, Senior Vice President of Walt Disney World Resorts and Transportation Operations addressed Walt Disney World’s reopening.
Thomas Mazloum took the opportunity to clarify that “the guidelines given were intended to be a starting block for conversation and did not constitute the initial recommendation by the task force or the county for the opening of Walt Disney World.
Chuck Whittall went on to add, “we created a working draft so we could start the conversation. We think that Disney, Universal and Seaworld are the experts. They should present to us what they think are the measures they need to take when they need to open up. We’re not qualified to do that, they are much more qualified to do that then we ever could.”
Whittall further stated, “I know anxiously everyone would love to know when Disney is opening up but it is going to be hard for us to understand how to open up a park of that magnitude. We really need them to come to us and tell us what their plans are.”
Mayor Demings went on to add that there are smaller sub units in the larger theme parks that may be able to open up portions of their business consistent with how smaller businesses are opening.
Demings said “Theme parks will likely be able to reopen components of their business and they can ramp up to where they are opening the parks themselves. That is something they will take under consideration using the guidelines that will come out from the CDC and others. When we talk about our theme parks, because they are such a large part of our economy, they have, to date, made the right decision at the right time. In my humble opinion, they have put their guests, the customers, the people and their safety at the top of their priorities. I can’t speak for them, but my observation is that they will not open if they feel is not safe for their patrons to be able to attend. With that understanding, I have a bit of confidence and relief that we will have the right fix for them.”
It appears as though we are getting closer to hearing a timeline for Walt Disney World’s reopening, but it will be Disney itself will be able to make most of those decisions.
Orange County has not yet released a date in which non-essential businesses can begin to reopen, but a date is expected to be released soon. It is important to note that Disney will not be permitted to reopen before that date.
Keep checking back here at Kenny the Pirate for updates on Walt Disney World’s reopening timeline as they come in.
What are your thoughts on Orange County allowing Disney to come up with a reopening timeline? Let us know on Kenny the Pirate’s Facebook Page, or join our crew and continue the discussion.
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Tammy
Saturday 2nd of May 2020
I think mask and gloves both are a no go. Who wants to to be in 90-100 degree temp and be miserable, not me. I don't wear them now and I won't wear them later. If people want them on then let them wear them. If you're that scared stay home. I've lived in a bubble long enough and they say heat will kill this virus so that being said. No mask no gloves don't like it stay home
Rhonda
Friday 1st of May 2020
Open up and move on!!! Warm weather and sunshine is a great thing for our immune systems. Time to get back to living and breathing again!!!
Irving sanders
Thursday 30th of April 2020
Not wearing mask or gloves or giving up reservations due to space distancing, or going with no fireworks or fantasmic or parades. I'll keep my 40k I give wdw per year and wait.
Rose
Thursday 30th of April 2020
Masks in open air is useless. Gloves are no better than hands. If you feel you need these items to feel safe, don't go to the theme parks. Stay home and let the rest of us get on with our lives. I have had more than enough of these requirements set upon me. If the world decided tomorrow that these items were not needed, would you still want them or would you feel ok without them? Something you should think about. Nothing really changed but a day.
Deb NP
Wednesday 29th of April 2020
I totally agree with universal masking, however gloves are not protective. Handwashing and sanitizing are what will protect you. Touching any contaminated surface, either with gloves or bare hands, could potentially transfer the virus, especially if you touch your face or eat afterwards. You can clean your hands frequently and kill the virus, but you can't while wearing gloves.
So, unless you change gloves after touching each potentially contaminated surface (basically anything), which means carrying a whole lot of gloves per person each day in the park, removing them correctly so as to not contaminate yourself, disposing them properly, then washing your hands and putting on new gloves each time- you are just transfering germs from one point to the next and possibly making yourself or others sick.
Wear a mask, leave appropriate distances and wash/sanitize your hands frequently.