MickeyBlog News for June 7, 2020
An Orlando theme park has reopened, albeit not the one we wanted. Also, two sports leagues are coming to Walt Disney World.
Meanwhile, the World Showcase and several Disney resorts are rehiring, and The Walt Disney Company has taken a stand.
This week is a busy one for MickeyBlog News.
Universal Orlando Resort Has Reopened
In the wake of the Great Shut-In, some theme park had to go first in reopening.
The park that accepted this challenge was Universal Orlando Resort. All three gates reopened on Friday, including Volcano Bay, the water park.
Credit: Universal Orlando Resort
Earlier in the week, annual passholders got to try out the new social distancing measures first.
MickeyBlog was there for a couple of livestreams, which showed that Universal’s pandemic strategy is quite sound.
https://www.facebook.com/277020729439748/videos/258566858798525/
Most impressively, the parks had new Unmasked areas where guests could safely sit down, remove their masks, and catch their breath.
Also, Universal employees reminded guests to wear masks if they weren’t, which is a necessary enforcement step.
https://www.facebook.com/277020729439748/videos/778067119685956/
Next week, SeaWorld Orlando will join Universal, and some Disney resorts will follow, too. In fact…
Walt Disney World Brings Back Cast Members
Central Florida has suffered mightily due to the pandemic. Without a state income tax, Florida relies heavily on tourism-based sales tax revenue.
When the entire country had to stop traveling, Florida’s finances suffered a setback. Then, hundreds of thousands of people were furloughed and forced to file for unemployment.
(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Many cast members indicate that they’re still awaiting their first unemployment check, which means that the following news impacts lives in the best possible way.
Disney has brought back thousands of its workers to start prepping the parks!
Photo: Disney
What We Know about Cast Members
The head of Union Local 362, Eric Clinton, updated cast members on how the return process will work.
Virtually every word out of his mouth was important, but here are some highlights.
Disney obviously won’t have the usual herd of college students working on the attractions.
The company previously sent home its World Showcase Cultural Representative Program employees, too.
So, lots of jobs are currently available.
Clinton also updated workers on the reality of the Disney College Program, which won’t return soon.
Meanwhile, the Cultural Representative Program will come back at some point.
In fact, Disney’s currently requesting applications for three different pavilions right now. Those hirings are down the road, though.
For now, Central Florida residents will staff many of the open jobs at Walt Disney World.
Remarkably, Clinton believes that upwards of 80,000 cast members could return soon. Disney will retrain them for any open position.
Also, salaried employees currently on furlough can return as hourly workers for the time being. It’s another generous act by Disney.
The earliest recalled cast members will return on June 14th. So, we’re only a week away from better days!
Long term, there’s even more good news for Disney fans. Virgin Trains shared images of train tracks at Orlando International Airport.
Yes, the high-speed rail service is laying the groundwork (literally) to connect guests from the airport to Walt Disney World!
Other Walt Disney World Updates
News is coming furiously from Orlando right now. Disney’s ready to move forward, and they’ve triggered the hyperdrive this week.
For starters, Disney has revealed which restaurants will open on June 22nd. The plan involves a couple of locations at each Deluxe Disney resort.
Some upscale establishments like Yachtsman Steakhouse and California Grill won’t return yet.
Similarly, buffets such as Cape May Café and Chef Mickey’s aren’t part of the initial offerings.
Disney officials are still mulling the best approach to this meal style.
However, favorites like Sanaa, Olivia’s, and Trattoria al Forno are available.
Photo Credit: MealTrip.com
Also, guests who hold reservations for June 14th through June 21st are now able to reschedule as desired. Other guests still can’t book new reservations, though.
PS: You can book Advanced Dining Reservations at some Disney Springs restaurants again.
Disney is gradually reopening its reservations system, which is terrific as it indicates forward momentum with the new/updated tech in place.
Another bit of good news is that Disney will waive cancellation fees for all reservations through October 3rd.
So, you can modify or cancel any of these reservations without paying any additional fees.
The other significant update for guests staying at the resorts involves a new My Disney Experience feature.
To protect guests from frequent hotel lobby visits, Disney will now offer virtual chat services through the app.
You’ll simply load My Disney Experience, and a cast member will assist you with your hotel issues!
Frankly, I hope this policy stays forever. It’s long overdue.
About Disney Amenities and Cleaning Practices
Next, Disney has confirmed several amenities and attractions that won’t reopen with the parks.
Campfires, salons and spas, and arcades are obviously not returning. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that the Electrical Water Pageant won’t run.
Of course, Disney had previously stated that it won’t operate any nighttime presentations that encourage public gatherings. So, this makes perfect sense.
The official Disney website has also posted its updated cleaning guidelines for hotel rooms.
Here are the crucial parts:
“Common Areas
We’ve increased cleaning in high-traffic areas such as public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more.
Housekeeping
Prior to your arrival, your room will undergo thorough cleaning—with attention to:
- High-touch areas, like TV remotes and door handles
- Housekeeping tools will be cleaned between rooms
- Floors, which will be steam cleaned and vacuumed between Guests
Photo: Oyster.com
Inside your room, you’ll find:
- Extra linens and towels wrapped in single-use packaging
- Individually wrapped glassware
- Double-cased pillows
- Additional items that have been cleaned and wrapped in single-use packaging
And during your stay, your room will receive a light cleaning service every other day, which will include:
- Removal of trash and used towels
- Replenishment of towels and amenities throughout the room and bathroom
- Wiping and cleaning of the vanity and counter surfaces
- Vacuuming if needed
You can also decline every-other-day service.”
Professional Sports Are Back Thanks to Disney!
A couple of stories that we’ve been tracking the past two months finally came to fruition this week.
After months without anything resembling professional sports, we’ll get to watch professional basketball and soccer again.
Image Credit: Disney
Earlier this week, Major League Soccer (MLS) and its players’ union agreed to complete the 2020 season at Walt Disney World.
They’ll employ the bubble concept that we’ve discussed on MickeyBlog.
Teams will hole up at a resort and then hold matches at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
MLS will hold a tournament with preliminary rounds followed by a single-elimination bracket to determine the champion this year.
Remarkably, that’s only the second-biggest sports story involving Disney this week.
When you wish upon a star …
Welcome back, @NBA ✨ pic.twitter.com/Nc91ycGUuL
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 4, 2020
The NBA has agreed to finish its season at Walt Disney World, too!
A group of 22 qualifying teams will complete a few regular-season matchups to get back into game shape.
These teams will then compete in the NBA Playoffs, thereby saving the season and billions of dollars.
Photo: Noah Graham | Getty Images
The NBA Players Association has agreed for teams to stay at three different resorts including Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort from now until October.
Sadly, the players won’t get to visit the theme parks at all during this time. They, too, will be in a bubble to protect everyone’s health.
So, you’re not going to see LeBron James at Space Mountain this summer.
Sidenote: I have seen LeBron James at Cedar Point. He’s a very tall and impressive man.
Anyway, the point is that Disney’s saved sports for everyone, including ESPN…which Disney owns. That’s probably not a coincidental turn of events.
The NBA meets Walt Disney World ✨ pic.twitter.com/Roy4jsJ3nm
— ESPN (@espn) June 4, 2020
Disney Stands against Racism
Finally, there’s no way to broach this subject without sounding glib, preachy, apathetic, or worse.
The past two weeks have profoundly challenged society.
Photo: Star Wars/Twitter
Disney, a company that prides itself on being on the right side of social issues, has stepped up.
The company has donated $5 million to organizations that prioritize social justice issues.
Simultaneously, Disney published this tweet:
— Disney (@Disney) May 31, 2020
Later, CEO Bob Chapek stated,
“The killing of George Floyd has forced our nation to once again confront the long history of injustice that black people in America have suffered, and it is critical that we stand together, speak out, and do everything in our power to ensure that acts of racism and violence are never tolerated.
“This $5 million pledge will continue to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations such as the NAACP that have worked tirelessly to ensure equality and justice.”
Photo: Marc Piasecki/Getty Images
Disney really makes it easy to be a Disney fan.
Stay safe, and have a better week, my friends.
