As we prepare for the Walt Disney World parks to reopen in Florida, we have a little twist in plans, particularly for guests visiting from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut. If you come visit Florida or several other states listed below, you will be under a 14-day quarantine when you return home or visit the Tri-state area.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, announced New York, Connecticut and New Jersey will require visitors from states including Florida with high infection rates to quarantine for 14 days. “We now have to make sure the rates continue to drop,” Cuomo said. “We also have to make sure the virus doesn’t come on a plane again.”
Cuomo announced what was called a “travel advisory” at a briefing jointly via video feeds with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, both fellow Democrats. The states’ health departments will provide details of how the rule will work, Murphy said.
Visitors from states over a set infection rate will have to quarantine, Cuomo said. As of Wednesday, states over the threshold were Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Utah and Texas.
Returning to the Tri-State area after a visit to Walt Disney World? You’ll need to plan for a 14-day quarantine!
Select Walt Disney World Resorts reopened today, June 22. The next step is the phased reopening July 11 (Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom) and July 15 (EPCOT & Hollywood Studios). As Disney gears up for the big reopening, it seems Cast Members are petitioning otherwise as COVID-19 is re-surging in Florida.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, some Disney World workers are pleading with theme park executives to reconsider plans to reopen in July, following days of record-number cases of COVID-19 infections that have pushed the statewide total past 100,000. Reopening would mean bringing back tens of thousands of workers who were furloughed April 19 and since then have struggled to navigate Florida’s broken unemployment system. Still, workers who signed the petition said it’s too soon to welcome back guests.
“This virus is not gone, unfortunately, it’s only become worse in this state,” reads the petition, which was approaching 4,000 signatures Monday, a small showing of the resort’s 78,000 staffers. “While theme parks are a great way to relax and enjoy free time, it is a non-essential business; it is not fair to the people who work there to risk their lives, especially if they are at risk or have family members who are at risk. People are more important than making a profit. Mayors, theme park executives, government officials — please hear what we are saying.”
But with Disney set to start its phased-in reopening in just a few weeks, nearly four months after it voluntarily shut down on March 16, it’s unclear if executives will be swayed by the plea.
Disney also is facing pushback from Disneyland workers who over the past two weeks have collected nearly 45,000 signatures calling to delay the Anaheim, California, park’s reopening amid rising ICU hospitalizations.
Disney would not comment on whether there had been any discussions over postponing the Orlando return, but the parks have previously laid out the safety precautions, as well as the decision to give paid sick leave to workers who develop symptoms and need to quarantine.
Disney is preparing to open its Disney Vacation Club properties and Fort Wilderness Campground and Resort on June 22, 2020. We now have learned details on operation policies for the resorts and for dining. Now Disney has released details on what we can expect regarding the safety and cleanliness of the resorts. Check out all the details below.
Here are all the details from Katie Kelly, Vice President of Worldwide Safety Services:
Dear Guests,
As we look towards reopening our parks and resorts around the world, your wellbeing – and the wellbeing of our cast members – is one of our top priorities. In March, we began the phased reopening of Shanghai Disney Resort, and on May 20, we took another step as guests returned to shop and dine at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort. Just as we’ve started making plans for our theme parks, we are also making plans for our hotels and Disney Vacation Club resorts. With that in mind, we wanted to share what you can expect when you book a stay at a Disney Resort hotel.*
As Disney’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel shared in her previous update, our health and safety team has taken a close look at the experiences at our hotels, from resort and room cleaning to check-in, dining and entertainment, so you can have a magical visit with peace of mind. During your stay, you’ll find updates and enhancements made with health and safety in mind, in line with the guidance of health and government authorities.
At the Resort
Staying with confidence starts at check-in, with options to use Online Check-in service at select locations and meet your luggage at your room with redesigned bell services.
Throughout Disney Resort hotels, we’re increasing cleaning in high-traffic areas such as elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms, and more. We’ve also expanded the number of hand sanitizer locations across the property.
At our restaurants, lobbies, pools, fitness centers, and other public areas, we’re looking at adjusting services to enable preventive measures and physical distancing, including reducing capacity where appropriate and implementing enhanced cleaning measures.
We’re using technology to aid us in these efforts, with limited-contact services in place at our shopping and dining locations, with Mobile Order, cashless options and Magic Bands.***
In Your Room
Before arrival, every room will be given an enhanced cleaning. During your stay, a light cleaning service (including removal of trash and replenishment of towels and amenities) will be offered every other day.**
Our housekeeping cast members will receive training on increased cleaning measures throughout the resort hotel and for each guest room, including updated practices for cleaning tools and managing in-room amenities, linens, luggage, and more.
Of course, we all have an important role to play in promoting health and safety. We are asking our guests to help, by washing your hands frequently with soap and water; following physical distancing and other guidelines when you visit; and rescheduling your visit if you or a member of your party feel ill or are subject to quarantine or other travel restrictions.
We’ll share more information about the health and safety measures at Disney Resort hotels with you ahead of your visit – and continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as appropriate.
While our new experience may be a little different from the last time you stayed with us, a magical and memorable visit awaits you at our Disney resort hotels. We’re looking forward to welcoming you – see you real soon!
Katie Kelly
Vice President of Worldwide Safety Services Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products
*Owned-and-operated Disney resorts. **Available at Walt Disney World Resort only. ***Disney Vacation Club members will receive their traditional housekeeping service.
Cast Members will be returning to work as early as this Friday after months of being on furlough to welcome back the first wave of guests to the property on May 20. While many are eager to return to work, the ever-present fear of infection lingers. Thankfully, workers unions are negotiating certain terms to allow Cast Members some safety and relief––as well as financial security––once they head back onto the property.
As the Orlando Sentinel reports, Cast Members who get sick with COVID-19 will get guaranteed paid time off to quarantine, according to the Service Trades Council Union. Employees who call in sick will not be in violation of the attendance policy if they show coronavirus symptoms.
Just yesterday, it was revealed that Disney would be providing its Cast Members with three washable face masks. They can also request a thermometer.
Throughout the complex, plexiglass dividers have been installed at registers. Guests will swipe their own payments cards, as they will no longer be handled by employees. Custodians will be retrained to focus on cleaning high-traffic, high-touch areas.
Disney has developed new global training guidelines for park employees amid the pandemic. The company will also hold monthly safety meetings, with which the union will be involved.
Disney Springs will begin its phased reopening on May 20, with Disney-owned shops and eateries scheduled to reopen on May 27.
