Highlights From Florida State Task Force Meeting To Re-Open Theme Parks

As we previously reported here at MickeyBlog, at the request of Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis, a state Task Force was established to tackle the re-opening of tourism and travel to the state. This includes the re-opening of Orlando theme parks. Walt Disney World President Josh D’Amaro sits on the statewide Task Force and the committee met last week to establish re-opening guidelines that will inform the government’s policy going forward!

As an offshoot of this, Orange County had its own Task Force meet-up to discuss the re-opening of businesses in the Orlando area. In conjunction, Mayor Demings advised that though a May re-opening of theme parks was unlikely, with the mandates, a June opening could be a possibility. We here at MickeyBlog see this as a positive sign since some Wall Street Analysts were suggesting that the theme parks may not open until 2021. 

For those interested in delving into the guidelines that will dictate when the theme parks open, here a look at the complete video conference from the Orange County Economic Recovery Task for appearing on Orange TVs YouTube channel. 

The Orange County Task Force above, is a smaller version of the statewide task force, specific to the Orlando. Representing Walt Disney World at this meeting was Thomas Mazloum, Senior WP at the Walt Disney Company. 

The focal point of the meeting was the outlining of guidelines for required for Phase 1 and Phase 2 openings of local business. This is in keeping with the suggestions offered by the White House and carried out by state governors. Here’s a closer look at the slides of the guidelines. 

THEME PARK GUIDELINES ORANGE COUNTY: 

We’ll start with the guidelines that you’re most interested in!- The THEME PARKS! The Task Force divided the theme parks into Small and Large (Disney being large of course.)

Mandates include facemasks for Cast Members, hand sanitizer at turnstiles and at each attraction exit and entry. There will also be temperature checks for cast members. Anyone with a temperature above 100.00 may not enter the premises. A lot of you have asked questions about capacity. As you can see from the guidelines above. Under Phase 1: It would be required that the parks are only filled to 50% capacity. Under Phase 2: This is allowed to increase to 75% capacity. 

HOTEL GUIDELINES ORANGE COUNTY

Here’s a closer look at hotel guidelines for Orange County: 

Above you can see a well thought out list of Hotel Guidelines, these will be similar to the guidelines set forth by the 29+ resorts at Walt Disney World. Guidelines include the use of mobile check-in, self-parking, increased sanitation. Mandates will include the use of face masks for cast members, sneeze guards at front deks, no self food services, spacing of pool furniture to fall in place with social distancing guidelines, removal of coffee makers, 

RESTAURANT GUIDELINES ORANGE COUNTY

As you can see above, here are the Hospitality Guidelines for a Phase 1 & Phase 2 re-opening of restaurants in the Orange County area. As you can suggested changes to the industry include disposable menus, encouraging takeout or online orders, touchless sanitizer entry and encouraging staff over 65+ to stay at home.  

Mandates (essential non-optional changes) put in place will also require all staff members to wear facemasks, temperature checks for employees before a shift and seated tables to be six feet apart. As part of phase 1, restaurants are only able to be filled up to 50% of capacity and phase 2 at 75% capacity. 

ORANGE COUNTY SPA GUIDELINES

Here’s a look at the mandates for Spa re-openings, this would of-course impact the Spas at the Grand Floridian and Coronado Springs. Mandates include enhanced sanitation procedures, use of face masks, temperature checks for clients, and a one worker per customer rule. 

ORANGE COUNTY MALL/RETAIL OUTLET GUIDELINES

Above are the mandates for Malls and Retail Outlets which obviously have an impact on everything from Gift Shops, Disney Stores, Outlet Malls, etc. Many of the guidelines are similar with suggestions that guests remain 6 feet apart at registers, touchless sanitizer is available at the entries, employees where face masks and temperature checks are carried out. 

ORANGE COUNTY CINEMA/MOVIE THEATER GUIDELINES

We’ve been speaking a lot lately about the eagerness of cinemas like AMC (which has a theatre in Disney Springs) to re-open for Summer. Here’s a look at some of the policies that will need to be put into place for moviegoers.  Apart from the sanitation procedures, requirements will mean that there are now more than 4 people in a group with two seats between each party in phase 1: As we move to phase 2, this will shift to 6 people in a group with one seat in between.  Staff will also be required to keep doors open until just before showtime. 

So What’s Next? 

Counties are waiting on Governor DeSantis to officially release a set of guidelines for a phased re-opening across the state including Orange County. Reports are coming in that DeSantis flew to Washington D.C. today for a meeting with President Trump and we are expecting this to inform policies over the next few days. The Orange County task force is hoping that guidelines can be updated going into the weekend. 

We suspect that hot some sort of official word from Disney regarding these guidelines should be made public soon. Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog and we promise to keep you updated. 

Disney Theme Parks May Be Currently Closed But Did You Know You Can Plan A Disney Getaway Through Until the End of 2020? Don’t let Coronavirus put a damper on your Disney plans. Reach out today to get your FREE, no-obligation quote from MickeyTravels.

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