Palmas Restaurant Group has announced that it has laid off an undisclosed number of employees from the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT’s World Showcase.
This decision impacts both hourly and salary employees at San Angel Inn Restaurant, La Cava del Tequila, La Cantina and La Hacienda Restaurant, all of which reside within the Mexico Pavilion.
Palmas Restaurant Group attributes the layoffs to the significant loss of revenue as a direct result of COVID-19 closures. The company has pledged to extend company-sponsored healthcare plans for these employees through July 31, and will give priority to union cast members when hiring resumes. The following statement was issued by Palmas Restaurant Group regarding the layoffs:
Due to extended closures and loss of business resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Palmas Restaurant Group found it necessary to layoff some of its hourly and managerial cast members. Those who participate in the company-sponsored group health plan will continue to have coverage through July 31. Union cast members will be prioritized in the event of a re-hire and will retain seniority for a period of one year.
This decision was not taken lightly. The company did everything in its power to avoid a layoff scenario, including extending paid furloughs and medical coverage for as long as was economically feasible despite the mandatory closure of restaurant operations. We are confident that business levels will one day return to pre-pandemic levels, although the timeline remains uncertain.
On July 13, the NBA and NBPA announced that two players had tested positive for COVID-19 and had returned home to isolate per CDC guidelines. Since then, all 346 players in the Walt Disney World “bubble” have been tested again and all tests came back negative.
Of the 346 players tested for COVID-19 on the NBA campus since test results were last announced on July 13, zero have returned confirmed positive tests.
In the event that a player on the NBA campus returns a confirmed positive test in the future, he will be isolated until he is cleared for leaving isolation under the rules established by the NBA and the Players Association.
NBA players within the Disney bubble are currently staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
Just under a month after reopening, Hong Kong Disneyland has announced that it is closing due to another outbreak of COVID-19 after 52 new confirmed cases were recorded just today.
“As required by the government and health authorities in line with prevention efforts taking place across Hong Kong, Hong Kong Disneyland park will temporarily close from July 15.”
The park had reopened on June 18 to a grand ceremony and castle unveiling. As with all other Disney Parks reopenings, Hong Kong Disneyland reopened with limited capacity and increased health and safety measures. Since then, however, the government has shut down most entertainment venues and fitness centers, and restaurants can only do take-out after 6:00 PM, with only tables of up to four allowed before that time. Public gatherings must be limited to 50 people or less.
Hong Kong Disneyland was the second Disney park to reopen, and the first to close back down due to a second wave of COVID-19 cases.
As Walt Disney World prepares to reopen their park doors to guests on July 11th for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom and then on July 15th for Epcot and Hollywood Studios, they are taking great steps to help ensure the safety of their guests and cast members. Here is what Disney is doing throughout the resorts, restaurants and soon parks to keep everyone as protected as possible.
Face Masks
All Disney cast members will be greeting guests while wearing face masks. This is to help protect guests as well as the cast members themselves. It is Disney’s policy that all guests 2 and older wear face masks while visiting Walt Disney World Resort. Guests will be expected to wear masks at all times except when dining, swimming or in one of the rest areas in the parks. There are specific guidelines regarding what type of masks guests are expected to use as well. The biggest requirement is that masks do have to be secured with ties or ear loops. Keep this in mind when purchasing and planning for vacation.
Temperature Checks
Guests coming to Walt Disney World can expect to have their temperatures checked prior to being allowed into the parks or Disney Springs. Disney is saying they will be using “no-touch thermometers” in order to ensure those having a temperature of 100.4 F or above will not be allowed into the parks. This will also be used for cast members each day they come to work.
Social Distancing
As we are experiencing throughout the country right now, Walt Disney World will also be implementing social distancing. Not only will signs be up and around to help remind guests to keep their distance from others, but from what we have seen from Disney Springs as well as Disney’s international parks ground markers will be used throughout queues. We believe that social distancing will also be used on rides. Social distancing will also be used in restaurants throughout property as a limited number of guests will be seated and tables will be spread apart to allow distancing.
Hand washing
Prior to the parks closing we started to see Disney implement more hand washing stations throughout the park. This will be a trend that continues once the parks open again in mid-July. Disney will have more hand washing options as well as hand sanitizer throughout the park giving guests more opportunities to wash hands and keep themselves safe.
Resorts
Walt Disney World DVC resorts were able to open earlier this month allowing guests to come back and enjoy the magic. With this opening, we were able to see and learn more about what steps Disney is taking to protect guests at the resorts.
Guests are highly encouraged to use online check-in limiting face-to-face interactions and allowing guests to head right to their rooms. Disney is also going to a cashless system right now asking that guests have a form of payment such as credit card, gift cards or MagicBands set up to reduce contact.
Disney has also announced enhanced cleaning methods will be used during this time at their resorts. Not only will high-touch areas such as railings, elevators, benches and tables be cleaned often, but new measures will be taken in guests’ rooms.
Attention to high-touch items in guests’ rooms will be a focus of cleaning. Items such as remotes and door handles will be cleaned with great care. We have also seen items such as remotes wrapped in individual bags following cleaning to help ensure safety. Floors will be cleaned in between each guest and housekeeping will only come every other day to limit access to the room.
Finally, if guests need something while staying at a Walt Disney World resort, guests can utilize the new chat feature on the My Disney Experience app. This allows guests to communicate with cast members regarding needs, questions or concerns without having to have face to face contact.
Restaurants
Along with Disney resorts, a few Disney restaurants were opened throughout the property as well as at Disney Springs. Disney has set up measures at these restaurants to help keep everyone safe.
Mobile ordering was a secret that many didn’t use in their My Disney Experience; however, now Disney is highly encouraging guests to use this service during vacation. This again reduces the interaction needed between guests and cast members to keep everyone safe.
At table service dining, guests now can check in through the My Disney Experience app eliminating the need to check-in at the host stand. Guests can now notify the restaurant through the app that they have arrived and will receive a push notification when their table is ready.
Also, at table service restaurants, beside limiting capacity and social distancing tables, guests will use QR codes to access a digital menu. If this isn’t an option, then paper menus are given. Both methods can help keep guests and cast members safe with less communal touching of materials.
Another step being taken at Disney food areas is regarding refills. Guests will no longer be allowed to refill their own cups; however, cast members will be there to assist.
Parks
Once the parks open in July, Disney has gone through great lengths to ensure protecting guests heading back to the magic. Not only will Disney parks be taking the steps discussed above such as face masks, social distancing and temperature checks, Disney will be limiting park crowds. To help keep guests and cast members safe and to help them following the above guidelines, Disney has put in place a new park pass reservations system. This system has guests with tickets book a specific park for each day of their ticket. By doing this, Disney is able to help manage crowd levels at their parks and keep guests and cast members safe.
Along with the park pass reservation, Disney has stated that they will be diligently cleaning those high-touch areas throughout the parks just like in the resorts. Railings, tables, benches and even park ride systems will be cleaned to help keep guests safe.
As guests start to head back to the magic, Walt Disney World is working hard to help ensure guests are protected and safe during their stay. From new exciting systems to help manage crowds, to face masks and social distancing, Disney is ready to welcome guests back and help them have a magical and safe time in their favorite place.
We’ve been eagerly awaiting the reopening of Cirque du Soleil at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs since it closed the show “La Nouba” on December 31, 2017. The new show, “Drawn to Life” presented by Cirque du Soleil® & Disney, has been highly anticipated. Closures due to COVID-19 have altered plans however.
According to Las Vegas Review Journal: “In a move that would have been unheard of even a year ago, Cirque du Soleil, the Las Vegas Strip’s preeminent production company for more than two decades, has filed for bankruptcy protection. The company, which has six productions on the Strip, announced Monday morning from its headquarters in Montreal it was seeking a debt restructuring protection under its home country’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).”
As expected, the company said in its filing announcement the refinancing move was “in response to immense disruption and forced show closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
According to the Cirque du Soleil website: “CDSEG is not bankrupt, and rather sought court protection from its creditors under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in Canada and Chapter 15 in the US, in order to avoid bankruptcy.”
“All performances are still on pause. Performances will resume once the pandemic is under control, pending an easing in government lockdowns and travel restrictions, and in accordance with the new corporate structure in place. Tickets for suspended and rescheduled performances remain valid. Ticket holders are advised to hold on to their tickets and will receive further instructions.”
We have received no word yet from Disney on what plans are in the works for “Drawn to Life” at Disney Springs.
