Welcome to The Honest Disney Update, your number one source for honest disney resort
news written by a disnerd named Julia…
I’m your host Julia.
Many disney travellers are wondering: when will the Disneyland and WDW parks reopen.
Stay tuned for my honest prediction.
Before we get into the news, here’s a quick update on our channel.
If you’ve seen any of our videos, you know we post honest tours and reviews of the Disney
Resort Area hotels.
While we have lots of footage on hotels that has yet to be posted, we’ve decided to postpone
the release of these videos until travel is safe and Disney has announced official opening
dates of their resorts.
In the meantime, we’ll be bringing you updates on what’s happening at Disney Resorts around
the world during these extraordinary circumstances.
That said, let’s get real about the predicted opening date of the US Disney Parks
The COVID-19 pandemic is bringing an unprecedented change to the world as we know it.
Although it’s hard to tell just how much our lives will be affected in the long run,
it’s safe to say that by the time the parks re-open it will be a whole new world.
While I don’t have Madame Leota’s crystal ball, I have done my research and like Quasimodo,
I’ve developed a hunch…let’s look at the facts:
1: Disney Parks won’t re-open until it’s safe
Perhaps our best insight into how Disney is treating the pandemic would be a look into
the mind of our most trusted and loved Disney leader, former CEO and current Chairman of
the Walt disney company, Bob Iger.
In a recent interview conducted by Barron’s Financial & Investment news, Iger discussed
re-opening Disney Parks once the virus has passed, mentioning more restrictions and scrutiny
would need to be implemented.
One idea bob floated was taking guests temperatures at security.
While there’s already been a lot of questioning and backlash on the idea since we know many
people can be carriers of the virus without showing any symptoms, One thing is clear,
Disney parks won’t re-open until they have found a way to do it in a safe way…which
is nowhere in the near future.
To emphasize this, Iger was quoted saying “You have to be realistic about the size
of this and the impact of it all.
And you also have hope that it will end eventually, and that when it does, that at some point,
we’ll be looking at a return to business as usual, even if we know that’s a ways
away.
More importantly, you have to have empathy for what everyone is experiencing, not just
our customers, but certainly our people.”
It’s clear from his comments, Disney’s priority is for staff safety and that of the
general public.
Nowhere in the interview did he mention opening the parks as soon as possible.
On a happier note, Bob also said “when it ends…we will have things for the public
to enjoy and to escape to, maybe in ways they will appreciate more than they ever have.”
2.
It won’t be safe until there is a vaccine or treatment widely available.
Experts are saying, the pandemic isn’t under control.
Even though new vaccines and treatments are currently being tested, the timeframe for
a vaccine to be widely available on a global scale is approximate at best.…
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
speculated that it will be a year to a year & a half before a viable vaccine will be ready
for the general public.
Until Disney can guarantee the safety of it’s Cast Members and Guests, we will be left waiting
for gates to open & ropes to drop.
The way I see it, no amount of rules or restrictions will overcome the stupidity of the few…Like
Indiana Jones can attest to, there’s always one selfish jerk who looks into the eye of
mara no matter how many warnings Sallah gives you.
Hey, We’ve all seen the people who run to attractions at rope drop…there are just
too many rule-breakers out there.
My expectation is Disney won’t re-open the parks until a viable vaccine has come to market.
3.
New Protocols & Training will be required
In order for Disney to create a safe environment for everyone, new protocols will have to be
put in place which means cast members will have to undergo new and potentially extensive
training, and that will take time.
4.
Travel needs to be deemed safe again
According to an article from USA Today, three things must happen before it is considered
safe to return to the sky, sea & hotels
The State Department must lift it’s Level 4 Travel Advisory.
International travel is banned and the vast majority of travel medical insurance policies
are null & void.
2.
The CDC will need to give the ‘all clear’
3.
The WHO needs to give a thumbs up for travel
So what does this all mean?
Currently in north america, COVID 19 is still on the upswing and as proven by other countries,
the best defence is self isolation, social distancing measures and washing your hands.
Now I don’t want to dwell on the negative, but it’s important to note the severity
of this pandemic and that in North America, we are only just beginning to see and feel
the effects of COVID-19.
We have no idea how long this will go on for.
It is important that we stay vigilant and use social distancing to support the front
line workers and protect everyone in our communities.
I grew up watching Disney Princess movies like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella
and when you really think about it, they all experienced times of hardship.
While we don’t live in a fairytale, we can follow their example of finding the light
through the dark and being thankful for what we have.
This isn’t forever.
Disney parks will re-open.
Just imagine how amazing it will be the first time you walk through the gates, hear the
music on mainstream & smell the pirates of the Caribbean.
I know for me, it will be one of the most memorable and emotional Disney experiences
yet.
Knowing that the entire world came together for us to get to this moment.
So here’s my prediction: Disneyland and Walt Disney World parks will be open at the
earliest in March of 2021.
So Until everyone and I mean everyone takes social distancing seriously, and we get COVID-19
under control worldwide the gates will remain closed, The ropes will remain undropped and
rapulzel will remain quarantined up in her tower, away from the kingdom of corona.
I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear and like the seven dwarves, 6 of 7 of you
aren’t happy.
But honestly, if we hunker down, keep our chins up and stay strong, perhaps together,
we can prove me wrong.
This is Julia with The Honest Disney Update, Stay safe & wash your hands