Other Ways Disney Keeps the Parks Safe during Coronavirus
Over the past few days, much has been written about the reopening of Disney theme parks.
Journalists around the world have chronicled the uncomfortable timing of Magic Kingdom’s reopening right as Florida suffers an outbreak.
However, even the harshest Disney critics have acknowledged an underlying truth. Disney’s doing a lot right to protest guests.
Here are a few ways that Disney is keeping the parks safer during Coronavirus.
Trash Can Modifications
MickeyBlog has described many of the changes that Disney planned for its parks. Today, we’re looking at some that haven’t received as much attention.
For example, Disney has altered its trash cans, and it’s a meaningful way to protect your safety.
You don’t have to understand much about science or germs to know that trash cans are nasty.
Nobody wants to touch them, which is why most trash can designs are frankly idiotic.
You must lift the lid or open the gap to dispose of your waste, which means you’re touching something gross.
Even worse, you’re aware on some level that other people had touched this spot before you got there, which makes it worse.
Trash can manufacturers employ these enclosures to prevent the smell of garbage from wafting elsewhere. However, the design is still innately flawed.
Thankfully, Disney has done something about the problem.
The company has propped open trash can lids in many places. In others, self-opening or always-open trash cans are in place.
You’ll be grateful for this bit of foresight when you don’t have to touch anything to throw away your garbage.
Disabling High-Touch Areas
What are high-touch areas? I’m referencing places where many people are likely to grab something and thereby spread germs.
As an example, handrails serve a purpose in that they provide guests with a place to grab. These railings help people with their balance.
You’ll hear about high-touch changes in two particular areas.
Disney line queues have disabled interactive elements for the apparent reason.
If Haunted Mansion’s musical walls are available, guests WILL play with them. Even in the best of times, that’s not great.
Did you know that 40 percent of people don’t wash their hands every time after going to the bathroom?
Yeah, you don’t want to touch anything that they have. So, interactive ride queues aren’t feasible during a disease outbreak.
Photo:DisneyFanatic.com
Similarly, a few years ago, park officials introduced fingerprint scanners as part of the Magic Band verification process.
At the time, the idea seemed forward-thinking. In the age of Coronavirus, it’s impractical at best.
So, Disney has deactivated fingerprint scanners, possibly forever. Instead, a tap of your Magic Band is enough for now.
Cast members use tablets to verify that you are who your Magic Band says you are, which is much better anyway.
As for handrails, park officials are doing what they can.
I know that this issue has proven problematic for me. Apparently, I’ve subconsciously grabbed railings my entire life.
I only noticed it once the pandemic began, and I’ve struggled to stop my muscle memory from triggering.
Yes, I know grabbing handrails is stupid, but I can’t help myself at times.
Disney has trained its janitorial staff to allow for this type of stupid customer behavior.
(Kent Phillips, photographer)
Cast members clean these areas repeatedly to protect guests like me from our own thoughtless behavior.
Scheduled Cleaning Times
Here’s a significant change that you’ll notice while you’re in the parks.
Disney has scheduled downtime for every attraction.
The timing varies based on the structure of the attraction. However, many of them shut down every two hours.
What happens during this downtime?
(Kent Phillips, photographer)
Dedicated cast members take this opportunity to clean the attraction.
Disney has purchased robust cleaning solutions that kill virtually all germs.
These products require less than a minute to wipe out norovirus, but they take up to five minutes to maximize effectiveness.
(Matt Stroshane, photographer)
So, cast members will cycle some rides by running them without passengers.
If you see a guestless ride cart circling the tracks, you’ll know that it’s just been cleaned and is almost ready for guests to use.
Anytime that you board a cart that was just empty, you’re on the cleanest ride possible!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC39JGfDkDO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Also, please remember that I said attractions, not just rides. Seating areas receive the same cleaning practices as everything else.
In fact, cast members are wiping down everything in high concentration spots to ensure park guests’ safety.
(Matt Stroshane, photographer)
Snitch Hotlines
Okay, this one recently came up during discussions about the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World.
Reports indicated that several players had already reported bubble violations by other players.
Image Credit: Disney/NBA
To some, this behavior seemed selfish under the old “snitches get stitches” philosophy.
However, during the pandemic, players are worried about the health of themselves, their family, and their friends.
So, I understand why some would get angry when reckless individuals break the rules and jeopardize everyone’s safety.
Dwight Howard said he was reported on the snitch hotline for not wearing a mask 😷
(h/t @ScoopB ) pic.twitter.com/jFtUnaHcuI
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 16, 2020
I mean, everyone remembers that Rudy Gobert, an NBA player, infected others with his vapid behavior.
Well, you may not know this, but the snitch hotline isn’t just for NBA players.
Disney wants to protect its guests, which means that the company needs to know when violators cause problems.
If you’re a guest and notice someone breaking the rules, you can call a phone number to report the activity.
Park officials will investigate and take action as needed. So, I don’t think of it as the Snitch Hotline.
Instead, these phone calls represent a great way to protect your fellow park guests.
The Incredi-Crew
Finally, you’ve probably heard that Disney has developed a special team to safeguard guests during the outbreak.
The Incredi-Crew roams the parks in search of the violators I mentioned earlier.
Photo: Disney
If one of these cast members notices an infraction, they will alert the guest to proper park etiquette.
Obviously, we’re talking about Disney workers. So, their behavior isn’t aggressive or rude in any way.
Instead, cast members politely remind people to wear a mask and/or maintain social distancing.
The Incredi-Crew works hard to guarantee that guests can relax and enjoy their park visits.
The outcome of all these measures is that Walt Disney World feels like the safest place in Florida right now.
(Caitie McCabe, photographer)
Reporters, cast members, and vloggers alike agree on the point.
All of them have stated in interviews that when they’re in the Disney Bubble, they’re the least worried about COVID-19 that they have been since it started.
(Kent Phillips, photographer)
Disney’s doing this right, and the company deserves a ton of credit for it when so many other businesses haven’t cared enough about customer safety.
Feature Image: Disney/Caitie McCabe
