Disney Not Social Distancing Anymore?

[Mit88]

They ran a national ad campaign about social distancing and masks, promoting their health and safety protocols. To then dial back some of those measures after you’ve run that kind of campaign is, in my opinion, problematic. Also, based on wait times, seating every row doesn’t seem to really be addressing the wait time issue that so many are complaining about.

And as I’ve said before, if you’re visiting WDW now, you’re in their highest affinity group. You may complain about wait times but that’s not stopping you from visiting. Look at how many people even on here who have said “I’m not going back without FP/shorter waits” only to then post about planning their next trip.

I understand the desire for Efficiency but Safety comes before Efficiency. All in all, I think the decision is unnecessary, a needless added risk, and one that only marginally remedies the “problem.”

Considering I don’t imagine them running an ad campaign that they’re open as pre-covid normal anytime soon, if ever, eventually they were going to run ads while also dialing back on some things. What are they supposed to film an entirely new ad campaign every time they change something in the parks? Do they even have a commercial showing families on RnRC or Slinky with the former ride distancing in place? Did they film a new ad campaign to let guests know they raised capacity to 35%? It’s not like they abandoned all safety measures. Masks are still mandated. Distancing in lines is as well. If the people taking the risk to go to WDW and are concerned, chances are they’re researching the current protocols before they leave. Most people are flying on airlines that aren’t spacing people out anymore.

 

[andyman8]

Considering I don’t imagine them running an ad campaign that they’re open as pre-covid normal anytime soon, if ever, eventually they were going to run ads while also dialing back on some things. What are they supposed to film an entirely new ad campaign every time they change something in the parks? Do they even have a commercial showing families on RnRC or Slinky with the former ride distancing in place? It’s not like they abandoned all safety measures. Masks are still mandated. Distancing in lines is as well. If the people taking the risk to go to WDW and are concerned, chances are they’re researching the current protocols before they leave. Most people are flying on airlines that aren’t spacing people out anymore.

How about just don’t run the ad to begin with? That was my thought at the time, and it certainly is now. What drives me absolutely bananas about these conversations on here is its always “all or nothing.” Of course, they haven’t abandoned all health and safety protocols, but when they put those types of ads out there (promoting distancing specifically), it is not at al unreasonable to then question them when they roll back a component of their physical distancing protocols (it’s not like the situation today is any better than it was in September or whenever they put those ads out). It’s not like either everyone is twenty feet apart all the time or everyone is packed together on Main Street. There are varying shades of gray in between the extremes. They’ve shifted to a different “shade,” so I think it’s fair to question that.

I think I’ve been exceedingly fair to Disney and have been quick to praise them for the many things they got “right” about this reopening, but I also have to be fair to the other side as well, and it just doesn’t seem like a smart idea for them to implement this change at this particular moment. I understand it doesn’t bother you, and I totally respect that, but my opinion is different and that’s what great about the DISBoards, it’s a collection of people with different opinions.

 

[Mit88]

How about just don’t run the ad to begin with? That was my thought at the time, and it certainly is now. What drives me absolutely bananas about these conversations on here is its always “all or nothing.” Of course, they haven’t abandoned all health and safety protocols, but when they put those types of ads out there (promoting distancing specifically), it is not at al unreasonable to then question them when they roll back a component of their physical distancing protocols (it’s not like the situation today is any better than it was in September or whenever they put those ads out). It’s not like either everyone is twenty feet apart all the time or everyone is packed together on Main Street. There are varying shades of gray in between the extremes. They’ve shifted to a different “shade,” so I think it’s fair to question that.

I think I’ve been exceedingly fair to Disney and have been quick to praise them for the many things they got “right” about this reopening, but I also have to be fair to the other side as well, and it just doesn’t seem like a smart idea for them to implement this change at this particular moment. I understand it doesn’t bother you, and I totally respect that, but my opinion is different and that’s what great about the DISBoards, it’s a collection of people with different opinions.

I always found the ad campaign as much security theater as the temp checks. It was just a piece of the puzzle of their reopening. As we can see, there probably wouldn’t be much difference in attendance, especially at the hotels with or without the ad campaign, but it was a Hail Mary pass that they felt they needed to make to entice people on the fence to return to the parks. I’m on your side thinking the changes they’ve made recently were a little premature, but I also think Disney figured because it seems like a minor change that it wouldn’t ruffle feathers. There wasn’t much outrage when they jumped 10% in capacity in the beginning of a steady climb in active cases in November. That’s an addition of 7-10k at each park. That’s not a minor change. This (the spacing on rides) is also a change that could be eased back if enough people make their voices heard.

 

[Jrb1979]

I always found the ad campaign as much security theater as the temp checks. It was just a piece of the puzzle of their reopening. As we can see, there probably wouldn’t be much difference in attendance, especially at the hotels with or without the ad campaign, but it was a Hail Mary pass that they felt they needed to make to entice people on the fence to return to the parks. I’m on your side thinking the changes they’ve made recently were a little premature, but I also think Disney figured because it seems like a minor change that it wouldn’t ruffle feathers. There wasn’t much outrage when they jumped 10% in capacity in the beginning of a steady climb in active cases in November. That’s an addition of 7-10k at each park. That’s not a minor change. This (the spacing on rides) is also a change that could be eased back if enough people make their voices heard.

I wonder if a lot of these changes are due to Disneyland not opening. Had Disneyland opened I wonder if they kept all measures in place as they would have 2 more parks to bring in money. With Disneyland not opening any time soon, they are trying to get as much money coming from WDW as they can.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Are they running those ads anymore? Or any ads with parks footage/showing protocols?

Where I live in the upper Midwest, the only ad I see now (and I see it ALL the time) is the Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow ad where everyone is at home and there’s no park footage. Besides the song, the only voiceover is “when you’re ready for your tomorrow to begin, start planning at ...”

Is anyone seeing the ads with parks footage anymore? I find it interesting that they seemed to change the direction for this most recent ad and not show people in the parks or any in park footage.

 

[skeeter31]

Are they running those ads anymore? Or any ads with parks footage/showing protocols?

Where I live in the upper Midwest, the only ad I see now (and I see it ALL the time) is the Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow ad where everyone is at home and there’s no park footage. Besides the song, the only voiceover is “when you’re ready for your tomorrow to begin, start planning at ...”

Is anyone seeing the ads with parks footage anymore? I find it interesting that they seemed to change the direction for this most recent ad and not show people in the parks or any in park footage.

I do still see the Christmas ad with the park footage and Snow White music here in Tampa. But I also see the Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow ad and an ad just for Disney Springs.
Watching 25 days of Christmas on Freeform, basically every commercial break has at least 1 Disney ad and the 25 Days of Christmas ad with the song that is now forever lodged in my brain.

 

[yulilin3]

I don't have cable so can't say I've seen any Disney advertisement on Hulu which is the only thing with advertisement I have, but looking at WDW website this is their wording on their social distance measures. I'm not trying to defend their actions just posting what's out there for guests planning

Physical Distancing
Temporary adjustments are in place to promote physical distancing.

Physical distancing measures may include:

• Signage and Ground Markings: Please follow directional signage and ground markings, which have been installed throughout Walt Disney World Resort to help Guests better navigate common areas while practicing physical distancing.
• Physical Barriers: Physical barriers have been added in select places where it is difficult to maintain strict physical distancing guidelines. These may be visible in areas around cash registers or at Guest Relations, for example, to help promote proper distances between people.
• Parking: Cashless payment is recommended at the auto plazas. Cars will be directed to park in every other parking space at the theme parks.
• Training: Cast Members are trained to engage with Guests and promote physical distancing guidelines in common areas and queues.

no wording on attractions at all, now was there wording before? I can't remember.

 

[Mit88]

I wonder if a lot of these changes are due to Disneyland not opening. Had Disneyland opened I wonder if they kept all measures in place as they would have 2 more parks to bring in money. With Disneyland not opening any time soon, they are trying to get as much money coming from WDW as they can.

Certainly think it’s part of it. While they don’t get the tourist dollars like WDW, it’s still revenue coming through the gates that they’ve now been without for 9 months. And at some point they needed to make up for it in other ways, even if they weren’t going to recoup all of their losses.

But I think it’s also been long enough since they’ve reopened that they’re at the point where they’re testing the boundaries. They’re not going rouge doing anything more aggressive than the other parks in Florida, they’re still behind Universal/SW/BG, but with a state that’s not going to tell them “no”, their only critics are the customers themselves...and the media. I do think if people make enough noise, they’ll scale back. I see it more as “Hey, maybe they should slow down a little” more than “Disney’s trying to kill people”.

 

[yulilin3]

Maybe another reason with this change is that people started coming back when they saw reports of low wait times, now that wait times seem long some may be canceling because of it. Get those attractions on a more comfortable wait time range maybe people will come?
January is gonna be dead there needs to be an incentive for people

 

[rpb718]

Maybe another reason with this change is that people started coming back when they saw reports of low wait times, now that wait times seem long some may be canceling because of it. Get those attractions on a more comfortable wait time range maybe people will come?
January is gonna be dead there needs to be an incentive for people

I know what you're saying, but those that check wait times now must also realize that this is during the busiest time of the year and that January onwards would be totally different.

I think the people TWDC really want to come to WDW early next year are not those hardcore visitors or APs that would actually be checking wait times on a regular basis - they're been milking that cow until it's almost dry. The folks they want may have visited WDW before and remember EMH and FP+ and park hours that lasted past early evening and remember only paying X for tickets and resort stays in the recent past with all the offerings and see now that WDW expects them to pay Z for tickets and resort stays now with so much offerings listed as "temporarily unavailable" on the WDW website. That's going to be a tough sell.

 

[Jrb1979]

I know what you're saying, but those that check wait times now must also realize that this is during the busiest time of the year and that January onwards would be totally different.

I think the people TWDC really want to come to WDW early next year are not those hardcore visitors or APs that would actually be checking wait times on a regular basis - they're been milking that cow until it's almost dry. The folks they want may have visited WDW before and remember EMH and FP+ and park hours that lasted past early evening and remember only paying X for tickets and resort stays in the recent past with all the offerings and see now that WDW expects them to pay Z for tickets and resort stays now with so much offerings listed as "temporarily unavailable" on the WDW website. That's going to be a tough sell.

It is a tough sell. Outside of here, there is many that aren't traveling right now. I don't see that changing no matter what discounts are offered. Til the vaccine is readily available to everyone and we start to see cases drop considerably IMO this is the best you are going to get right now.

 

[BoatDriver]

I almost sense that over the next 6-8 months The theme parks are going to be quietly loosening restrictions. Nothing crazy all out but subtle. Just like now Disney did with the 25-35% capacity.

From your lips to God's ears.

They ran a national ad campaign about social distancing and masks, promoting their health and safety protocols. To then dial back some of those measures after you’ve run that kind of campaign is, in my opinion, problematic. Also, based on wait times, seating every row doesn’t seem to really be addressing the wait time issue that so many are complaining about.

And as I’ve said before, if you’re visiting WDW now, you’re in their highest affinity group. You may complain about wait times but that’s not stopping you from visiting. Look at how many people even on here who have said “I’m not going back without FP/shorter waits” only to then post about planning their next trip.

I understand the desire for Efficiency but Safety comes before Efficiency. All in all, I think the decision is unnecessary, a needless added risk, and one that only marginally remedies the “problem.”

They've also run national ad campaigns that show Cinderella walking down the grand staircase of the Flo hand-in-hand with guests, families all by themselves on 7DMT, and kids running toward the Castle, all by themselves on Main Street.

Yet, somehow, our family has never experienced these. In fact, we never expected to experience any of these because we're adults and realize its an ad...

 

[LSUmiss]

Maybe another reason with this change is that people started coming back when they saw reports of low wait times, now that wait times seem long some may be canceling because of it. Get those attractions on a more comfortable wait time range maybe people will come?
January is gonna be dead there needs to be an incentive for people

I know ppl who went just b/c they saw what crowds looked like in July. I wonder if Jan will really be that dead especially week for mlk.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

From your lips to God's ears.



They've also run national ad campaigns that show Cinderella walking down the grand staircase of the Flo hand-in-hand with guests, families all by themselves on 7DMT, and kids running toward the Castle, all by themselves on Main Street.

Not to be annoying and pick this one particular thing out, but the Cinderella thing at GF used to happen most days at 3:30 for the Princess promenade. She paraded with children down the stairs while the orchestra played, sometimes holding a lucky child’s hand. Then she danced with Prince Charming and headed off to 1900 PF for the first seating. It wasn’t a well known appearance, was never super busy and was really so magical! We saw it a few times. It was very sweet.

 

[leahgoogle]

What a horrible decision made by Disney. They should have warned guests and give them notice that they were going to change their safety measures so you can decide if taking a trip is the best option for your family.

There hasn’t been a decrease in cases. People have their heads in the sand.

Even if the roller coaster is outside you could have some stranger sitting right behind you screaming. Their mask could accidentally slip down. A number of things could go wrong.

You need mask +social distancing.
A mask is great but not fail proof

Maybe they are going by CDC guidelines? The short duration of all of the rides mentioned wouldn't give a person enough of a viral load to cause infection. The CDC says 15 minutes of contact within a 6 ft distance.

 

[J-Dog]

They ran a national ad campaign about social distancing and masks, promoting their health and safety protocols. To then dial back some of those measures after you’ve run that kind of campaign is, in my opinion, problematic. Also, based on wait times, seating every row doesn’t seem to really be addressing the wait time issue that so many are complaining about.

And as I’ve said before, if you’re visiting WDW now, you’re in their highest affinity group. You may complain about wait times but that’s not stopping you from visiting. Look at how many people even on here who have said “I’m not going back without FP/shorter waits” only to then post about planning their next trip.

I understand the desire for Efficiency but Safety comes before Efficiency. All in all, I think the decision is unnecessary, a needless added risk, and one that only marginally remedies the “problem.”

But "safety" is just each individuals perception/opinion unless the actual science tells us otherwise. I know that I personally don't understand all of the science behind Covid-19, and can only go by what I read and am told. I wouldn't presume to think that I could tell Disney what they should be doing when it comes to safety.

And I'm willing to bet that Disney has some actual epidemiologists on their payroll that are contributing/advising on these changes.

In other words, just because non-scientific lay-persons THINK that Disney's safety protocols are lacking - doesn't mean that they are.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I have no problem with the increased capacity on rides. The same debate happened WRT people on bikes early on. The thought was if you are COVID positive and riding a bike, you spread a lot more COVID because you are moving. That was disproven though because you are MOVING. It doesn't matter if it is you moving or the air around you is moving, it disperses the COVID all the same. Add in the mandated usage of a mask and the chances of spreading COVID while on a roller coaster are minimal if that. To my knowledge they are NOT increasing the capacity of slow moving rides like Small World.

 

[BlondieinFL]

I don't care about Disney relaxing social distancing............people distancing from me, though, is the only thing about these protocols that I kind of enjoy. I also appreciate the cleaning and the hand sanitizing. BUT, we have been AP holders for 19 years, and are not renewing until masks are made merely optional. If masks were made merely optional at any theme park (we live in Orlando), I would be there tomorrow!

 

[andyman8]

But "safety" is just each individuals perception/opinion unless the actual science tells us otherwise. I know that I personally don't understand all of the science behind Covid-19, and can only go by what I read and am told. I wouldn't presume to think that I could tell Disney what they should be doing when it comes to safety.

And I'm willing to bet that Disney has some actual epidemiologists on their payroll that are contributing/advising on these changes.

In other words, just because non-scientific lay-persons THINK that Disney's safety protocols are lacking - doesn't mean that they are.

I’m certainly not an expert on COVID-19 and am not here to debate the merits of such policies, but I’m not comparing Disney’s “take” on Safety to my own. I’m comparing Disney’s current “take” to their “take” on Safety in July/August/September, etc... My question is what changed between then and now that made the spacing go from necessary to unnecessary? Certainly the case numbers have changed but not in the direction that would justify such change. When Disney upped capacity to 35%, Bob Chapek said it was because their industrial engineers found more spaces and ways for them to social distance people to give them six feet. Disney has yet to elaborate on what Safety factors have contributed to this decision, and the only reasons I’ve seen deal with Efficiency.

 

[MouseyMin]

Maybe they are going by CDC guidelines? The short duration of all of the rides mentioned wouldn't give a person enough of a viral load to cause infection. The CDC says 15 minutes of contact within a 6 ft distance.

Then the problem may be the lines and not the rides. If you're on line in front of someone who is positive for 1/2 hour or an hour, and people aren't really staying 6' apart and/or might be letting their mask slip down, it might be a problem.