Hong Kong Disneyland to Temporarily Close Starting December 2 Due to Rise in COVID-19 Cases

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

It has been announced that Hong Kong Disneyland would be forced to close its gates due to a fourth wave of COVID-19 that has started to take hold in the city. Now, Disney has released a statement issuing an official closure date.

95d9664a-68a4-4d77-84cb-fb025448feee

Hong Kong Disneyland will temporarily close on December 2. A reopening date is not yet announced, and the park is also scheduled to be closed on December 1.

This is now the third time Hong Kong Disneyland has been forced to close. The struggling park was originally closed from January 25th through June 18th, and again from July 15th through September 25th. They join Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris in being closed, leaving only Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Shanghai Disneyland operating.

The closure comes shortly after the completion and opening of the Castle of Magical Dreams and the launch of their “15 Years of Magical Dreams” anniversary celebration just under two weeks ago. The new regulations go into effect starting this Wednesday and will last for at least two weeks.

Governor DeSantis Says Florida Will Have No New Lockdowns, Mask Mandates, or Other COVID-19 Measures

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

In a recent press conference, Governor Ron DeSantis stated that Florida would have no more anti-COVID-19 measures, including lockdowns or mask mandates, though cases continue to rise in the state and the rest of the U.S.A.

He specifically said there would be “no lockdowns, no fines, no school closures. No one’s losing their job because of a government dictate. Nobody’s losing their livelihood or their business. That is totally off the table.”

The press conference at Boggy Creek Elementary was highlighting an order that allows Florida schools to stay open for the rest of the year.

There were 54,246 new COVID-19 cases and 509 reported deaths last Sunday to Sunday according to the state health department. Total cases for the state are nearing 1 million and deaths are nearing 19,000.

DeSantis has prevented local governments from imposing mask mandates and waived outstanding fees for non-compliance of previously issued mandates.

Private businesses like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort are able to impose their own mask mandate. As of now masks, social distancing, and temperature checks are required throughout Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. Orange County, where Walt Disney World resides, has also maintained a mask mandate since June.

Disney Cruise Line Extends Suspension of All Departures Through End of 2020

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Even though the CDC recently let the ban on cruise ships operations expire, cruise lines need time to meet standards set by the CDC to resume cruising with passengers in US waters. Therefore, it’s unsurprising to learn that Disney Cruise Line has extended its supsension of cruises through the end of 2020.

From a Cast Member;

Our team at Disney Cruise Line remains focused on the health and well-being of our Guests and team members. We are carefully reviewing the guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and working together with industry partners on a path to resuming operations.

As we continue to refine our protocols for our eventual return to service, we have decided to cancel all sailings through December 2020. Sailings are cancelled on board the Disney Fantasy through December 26; Disney Wonder and Disney Magic through December 30; and the Disney Dream through December 31.

Guests booked on affected sailings who have paid their reservation in full will be offered the choice of a cruise credit to be used for a future sailing or a full refund. Guests who have not paid their reservations in full will automatically receive a refund of what they have paid so far. Affected Guests and travel agents will receive an email from Disney Cruise Line outlining details and next steps.

Disney Parks Announces Layoffs of 28,000 Cast Members

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

A statement from Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, was just released. Approximately 28,000 domestic employees will be affected, of which about 67% are part-time. The statement reads as follows:

“In light of the prolonged impact of COVID-19 on our business, including limited capacity due to physical distancing requirements and the continued uncertainty regarding the duration of the pandemic – exacerbated in California by the State’s unwillingness to lift restrictions that would allow Disneyland to reopen – we have made the very difficult decision to begin the process of reducing our workforce at our Parks, Experiences and Products segment at all levels, having kept non-working Cast Members on furlough since April, while paying healthcare benefits. Approximately 28,000 domestic employees will be affected, of which about 67% are part-time. We are talking with impacted employees as well as to the unions on next steps for union-represented Cast Members.”

“Over the past several months, we’ve been forced to make a number of necessary adjustments to our business, and as difficult as this decision is today, we believe that the steps we are taking will enable us to emerge a more effective and efficient operation when we return to normal. Our Cast Members have always been key to our success, playing a valued and important role in delivering a world-class experience, and we look forward to providing opportunities where we can for them to return.”

Florida Moves Into Phase 3 Reopening; No Restrictions on Restaurant & Bar Capacity

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

HUGE NEWS for Florida last week! Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order September 25, removing all remaining restrictions on businesses because of COVID-19. Bars and restaurants are no longer required to operate at less than full capacity effective immediately.

As shared by OrlandoSentinel: “We are today moving into what we initially called phase 3,” DeSantis said during a press conference in St. Petersburg. “And what that’ll mean for the restaurants is there will not be limitations from the state of Florida.” “We’re also saying in the state of Florida everybody has a right to work,” he added. “(Local governments) can do reasonable regulations but they can’t just say no.”

There are four major provisions of the order:

  • It removes all remaining state-level restrictions on businesses, including on bars and restaurants, which were capped at 75% capacity in Phase 3 of DeSantis’ original reopening plan.
  • It provides a general right to work and to operate a business. Local governments can limit and regulate businesses, but won’t be able to close businesses because of coronavirus concerns.
  • Local governments won’t be able to prevent restaurants from operating at below 50% capacity. Under previous orders, local governments could go further than state-level restrictions, and counties in South Florida kept restaurants and bars closed after the state allowed them to reopen. Also, cities and counties won’t be able to impose any restrictions without an economic and health justification.
  • Cities and counties can’t collect on any outstanding fines they issued as part of their pandemic response. The order, though, doesn’t compel local governments to refund anyone who has already paid a fine.