I can’t wait to share a new picture of Cinderella Castle with you on Thursday! We are just days away from the Walt Disney World theme parks opening once again. This is all happening while Florida is a coronavirus hotspot. There are a lot of people who say that Walt Disney World should remain closed, but I am not worried about the reopening. I have no doubt that Walt Disney World will do all that they can to keep everyone safe. The rest is up to us.
When all of this started back in March, Disney closed as a precautionary measure. The company was not ordered to do so by the state, and at the time there were less than a dozen cases in Central Florida. COVID-19 had not arrived here, but Disney decided to keep people safe and shut down before it became a problem. They put safety before profit.
Disney is also going to make sure that guests follow the rules. I’ve seen it happen at Disney Springs. When it first reopened, there were plenty of people who tried to get around the face covering rule. Each time I go, I see more enforcement of it. Cast Members are reminding those who break the rule that they do need to follow it. I am sure that this will be the case and even more at the theme parks.
There will also be plenty of hand sanitizer at the theme parks, which has been proven to kill the virus. I will still be carrying a small bottle with me, but Disney will make sure that it is available. I hope that they follow the example of Universal and make sure that people use it before each ride. Even if they don’t, I will still use mine.
I’ve been to Universal Orlando Resort several times since the theme parks reopened. Honestly, outside of my own home, it is where I feel safest in this area. I feel safer at Universal than I do at my local Publix (grocery store) or even at church. The church that we attend has added services for social distancing, and reservations are required (as are face masks), but I still feel safer at Universal. The Team Members are that good at making sure the rules are followed.
As long as people follow the rules, I am sure that things will be fine at Walt Disney World. With limited capacity, social distancing will be possible. Face coverings are mandated by law in both Orange and Osceola Counties, so that rule will not go away any time in the near future. From what I’ve heard, it will be strictly enforced at the theme parks.
There is one thing to keep in mind, though. While I know that Walt Disney World is doing everything that they can, the same can’t necessarily be said for places outside of the Disney Bubble. There are stores in the area that I will not visit because guidelines were not being followed when I was there. I won’t go back to Busch Gardens in Tampa until I hear that the staff members are doing a better job of enforcing the rules. If you’re traveling to this area, be careful if you venture out away from Disney.
I’m not naive. I realize that there will be people who head to Walt Disney World who don’t know that they are asymptomatic, and that it will be possible that others will end up infected. That said, Disney is putting safety first. People have been able to enjoy Disney Parks in other parts of the world, and we will soon have that chance once again. While I am concerned about the numbers in Florida, I am not worried about spending a few hours at Walt Disney World. Disney will exceed my expectations, which are already very high.