MickeyBlog News for August 17, 2020
After months of consideration, The Walt Disney Company finally stepped up and helped cast members feel safer.
Also, the front of EPCOT has changed forever, more Disney ride mishaps occurred, and we learned some new reopening dates.
Some sense of normalcy has finally returned to the parks. I’ll explain in the latest edition of MickeyBlog News.
Cast Members Get Their Wish
Before Walt Disney World reopened, fans speculated about how Disney would ensure the safety of guests and cast members alike.
Many shared the expectation that Disney would introduce COVID-19 testing for employees.
Perhaps those beliefs were unrealistic, as Florida suffered a devastating outbreak a few weeks before Disney’s comeback.
Medical facilities throughout the state needed the tests for actual patients. In contrast, Disney would have used them as more of a preventive measure.
Image Credit: Disney
So, when Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom returned on July 11th, people had to pass temperature checks but not COVID-19 tests.
This statement remains true today. However, the outbreak in Florida has lessened (knock on wood), allowing Disney to enact new healthcare options.
On Friday, August 14th, a new testing facility opened at Walt Disney World.
COVID-19 Testing Site to Open at Walt Disney World, FREE https://t.co/yeOvnZUfjw #CastMembers #COVID-19Testing #DisneyWorld #TestingSite
— MickeyBlog (@MickeyBlog_) August 12, 2020
Anyone can visit the site at 3010 Maingate Lane in Kissimmee to check for Coronavirus. Guests may pre-register at this website.
The most impressive part of this offering involves cast members. They can take a test for free, eliminating the financial constraint from the equation.
Anyone who works for Disney and feels sick can and should get tested at this site.
This facility represents a massive change in the community and another sign of Disney’s goodwill.
Actors Are Back!
Disney’s act of generosity comes with an ancillary benefit. The company met one of the demands of a cast member union by adding a free testing facility.
The Actors’ Equity Association had understandably hesitated to return to Walt Disney World until free testing became available.
This union represents approximately 750 highly skilled performers, and its absence had caused some issues for park managers.
Some attractions couldn’t operate as usual due to the lack of trained actors.
Disney implemented some short-term measures to cover for the absence of the employees.
However, we can finally go back to normal, as the Actors’ Equity Association has agreed to return.
Disney and Actors’ Equity Association Reach Agreement https://t.co/Ry55P2oxxp #DisneyParks #WaltDisneyWorld
— DisneyBuzz (@DisneyBuzz_) August 14, 2020
The union signed a memorandum agreeing to return to work, a step Disney required before allowing cast members to come back.
For its part, Disney refuses to admit that the healthcare facility stems from union requests, instead stating the company had negotiated with the state government.
At this point, nobody even cares whether that’s true or not. This agreement represents the last significant domino to fall in Walt Disney World’s reopening.
With this situation settled, we can all turn our attention to Disneyland. Speaking of which…
(Matt Stroshane / Disneyland Resort)
The Latest from the Happiest Place on Earth
We’re still awaiting clarity about the reopening of Disneyland. While Downtown Disney has been open for a while, the parks remain closed.
Disney is now a month past its target date of July 17th, and there’s sadly no end in sight.
Photo Credit: news.iheart.com/
At this point, Disneyland is following the same pattern that Walt Disney World did a couple of months ago.
Every few days, the park crosses off another week as a potential return date.
The other day, Disneyland notified guests that it won’t reopen before September 6th. Disney has canceled all hotel reservations through that date.
Image Credit: Disney
Of course, you shouldn’t take this information as news of inactivity. On the contrary, an encouraging report emerged the other day.
California state officials have liaised with Disney and Universal Studios executives about the safe return of the parks.
Photo Credit: D23
Leaders in the Golden State struggle with sustained outbreaks in the region.
Two weeks ago, I felt confident that Florida’s infection totals would surpass California’s.
Now, the gap has grown to 50,000 more cases in the Golden State.
Still, the prevailing belief is that California infection totals have peaked, at least for this outbreak. If they haven’t, they should any day now.
Afterward, the state and Disney can come to a mutual agreement about a return date. I would expect mid- to late-September at the earliest.
Ramping up park operations will take some time even after the bureaucrats settle on a date.
More Ride Snafus
Disney’s voodoo curse continued this week as another pair of oddities occurred at the theme parks.
Galaxys Edge is pretty crazy @WDWNT pic.twitter.com/PhrfsDsyOQ
— Austin (@Austin_Cop_17) August 11, 2020
The more visually hilarious one involved Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. For no apparent reason, an explosive bolt of lightning struck in the area.
To Star Wars fans, this was quite possibly the greatest moment in their lives, as it seemed like a power play from Emperor Palpatine.
For Disney, the lightning strike forced the early closure of Batuu while waiting for the storm to pass.
Almost unbelievably, Disney’s luck was even worse. The lightning reportedly blew up a power generator on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
The most in-demand attraction at Walt Disney World couldn’t open the following day.
Against all odds, this wasn’t the only weird thing that happened at the parks last week.
@WaltDisneyWorld riding its a small world and there’s no music! 😩 pic.twitter.com/I44WdCBFLh
— bethawho (@bethawho) August 9, 2020
It’s a Small World experienced an audio outage. For some, this turn of events may sound like a dream come true.
However, to most Disney fans, the muting of the world’s played song ruins the ride experience.
I mean, It’s a Small World without It’s a Small World is like Garfield without Garfield.
It’s just a bunch of voiceless puppets lamenting their silent existence. And if that’s not a Blumhouse horror movie yet, it will be one day.
Thankfully, It’s a Small World found its voice again later that day.
Other Disney Updates
This week was another one where too much happened to discuss everything in detail. It’s why you should be checking MickeyBlog several times a day.
Something is always happening in the wide world of Disney these days.
For example, EPCOT just added gorgeous new (but retro) Lucite pylons at the front of the park, close to Spaceship Earth.
I was on the fence about this modification when I heard about it, but the implementation is legitimately breathtaking. You’ll want to take plenty of pictures.
We also learned this week that Adventures by Disney has canceled all trips through November 30th. Don’t be surprised if they punt on 2020 soon.
In better news, Stormalong Bay will reopen at Disney’s Beach Club Resort on August 24th. Yes, that’s next week!
Also, Tambu Lounge at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort should be back by the time that you read this.
I think I speak for all of us when I say that I hope ‘Ohana is soon to follow!
At Disney Springs, things are looking up for the Patina Group after a savage five months.
The failing restaurant group, which recently closed its flagship eatery at Walt Disney Concert Hall, finally got some good news.
We are so excited to welcome back our friends and fans this evening at 5:00 p.m. Reservations are currently available on https://t.co/ToDM26hurD #MariaandEnzos pic.twitter.com/Uh2b0dIkKY
— Maria and Enzos (@MariaAndEnzos) August 13, 2020
Maria and Enzo’s Ristorante, The Edison, and Pizza Ponte have reopened, albeit with limited hours.
Still More Disney News
For Disney resort guests, I have terrific news! The hotels have unveiled a new fireworks-on-demand feature.
No, Disney won’t set off fireworks just outside your room, but it’s the next best thing.
On your hotel television, you can watch a Happily Ever After showing whenever you want. Disney just added the feature this past weekend.
Photo: Disney
Currently, Happily Ever After is the only option. However, if this feature proves popular, Disney could introduce more nighttime presentations.
Meanwhile, in movie news, Tron: Ares is happening with Jared Leto as a star. It’s apparently not a direct sequel to Tron: Legacy, but we’ll see.
Finally, Disney has taken a much-deserved victory lap this week.
The MLS Is Back soccer tournament finished, thereby becoming the first major team sports event to complete during the pandemic.
Similarly, the NBA playoffs have started, which means that several teams have already finished their bubble seasons.
While at maximum capacity, the NBA reported no positive tests for COVID-19, a remarkable feat that demonstrates Disney’s health precautions work.
Okay, that’s the news for now. Have a great week, everyone!
While it’s great news that Disney and Actor’s Equity have come to an agreement, no one has been called back to shows yet. I know because I work in entertainment. Going on 5 full months with no work and no promise of when we will return. Holding out hope but not much.