We have heard news this week that as the weeks continue to go by with the parks sitting closed, our favorite parks are having to deal with difficult financial troubles.This is an inevitable consequence, however on a positive note we have discovered that the current COVID-19 crisis has compelled Disney, Universal and SeaWorld to join forces as they work together to try to forge plans to make opening a possibility in the near future. We are guessing that they will be paying close attention to the steps Shanghai Disneyland are taking as they plan for an imminent reopening.
The interesting question is this, are measures taken by Shanghai Disneyland going to work for the US parks? Currently we still have no definite answers as to how and when theme parks in the US will open in the light of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
There are inevitably many rumors floating around as to what attractions may be forced to close and uncertainties around whether shows are going to be possible either immediately or if at all in the coming months. If shows are to open how are the theme parks going to deal with potential social distancing measures that may have to be put into practice? From recent rumors it seems like The Voyage of the Little Mermaid may fall silent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has not been confirmed yet and we really hope this rumor isn’t true and that this show is open as soon as it can be when the parks reopen, for the sake of the cast members who work on it and the guests alike. We will keep you up to date on all the latest news at these uncertain times.
Results Poll 9 – Walt Disney World: When the gates reopen, are you planning to go?
As I said last time, this has undoubtedly been our most popular Poll so far. We have now had over 500 votes on this poll and the final results are in:
- Yes, I can’t wait to go! – 57%
- Yes, but it will depend on what measures are put into place so I feel safe – 20%
- No, Not until a vaccine is sorted and I know it is safe – 11%
- No, I won’t be able to afford it – 3%
- Maybe, I really can’t make a decision at the moment – 8%
From these results we can clearly see with over half the voters saying a big thumbs up and that they can’t wait to go that there will be guests at the gates when they are finally able to reopen. I suppose on the other hand, for Disney it is quite worrying that 20% of people are waiting to see what measures are in place and 3% are assuming they will not be able to afford it as price hikes are to be expected.
From your comments it is clear that the idea of wearing a face mask at the parks in the florida heat and potential temperature testing at the gates will certainly be undesirable but as others have stated if that is what needs to happen, that is what needs to happen and they will accept it so as to be able to still go. For others it is not going to be the same story.
We will keep you up to date with the latest news regarding possible measures that may be put into place when the parks reopen. Check out our news page daily for updates.
Poll 10 Results – Universal Orlando: When the gates reopen, are you planning to go?
Our last poll was second in our mini series asking the same question but about Universal Orlando. Our article Universal Parks Considering Aggressive Reopening Measures Including Mandatory Testing, Face Masks, and More, was extremely popular so surprisingly the response to this poll have been slightly disappointing.
That in itself I think shows that there are more people interested in when Walt Disney World reopens than Universal Orlando. I know that is a sweeping statement and for many will be untrue but I guess only time will tell.
I find the most interesting part of this poll the option ‘Yes, but it will depend on what measures are put into place so I feel safe’ I suppose this will depend not only on if you feel safe but if you are happy to endure the conditions under which you can return. Like I have already mentioned, having to wear a face mask and the stress of potentially getting through a temperature test. Here are the results so far:
- Yes, I can’t wait to go! – 61%
- Yes, but it will depend on what measures are put into place so I feel safe – 22%
- No, Not until a vaccine is sorted and I know it is safe – 12%
- No, I won’t be able to afford it – 2%
- Maybe, I really can’t make a decision at the moment – 2%
As with the Walt Disney World poll, there seems to be an overriding positive vibe towards visiting as soon as possible with 61% of people raring to get back to the parks as soon as they can despite the measures which will inevitably have to be put into place. Again, it looks like affording to go is not the main concern with only 2% of people voting no due to this factor. Perhaps people are getting used to the idea of mask wearing and temperature testing as only 2% voted maybe, however 22% still have reservations regarding going because of the unknown measures that there will be.
Don’t worry if you haven’t voted yet, you still have time, CLICK HERE to have your say on Universal Orlando: When the gates reopen, are you planning to go? Remember to share this with your friends and family.
About me continued . . .
It is funny how we as humans have the ability to adapt to the situations we are in, it may take a while and we may not want to but never the less we do adapt. After 5 weeks in isolation, this now feels like the norm and imagining being able to see family and friends and going out simply to the park or beyond seems a distant dream.
We have adopted a new routine, one which works for us. The school day is very structured starting at 8.45am and ending at 3.30pm and includes the Joe Wickes workout, handwriting and spelling, math, topic work and a violin and piano lesson. I have been wanting to start our boys off on learning music for a while now but as we all know, having the time is often the problem. Well, in isolation time is the thing we have lots of so we are trying to put it to good use. Our neighbors may disagree that teaching a 5 and 7 year old the violin is a good use of time!
The weekends tend to be quite chilled with time for games, playing outside, puzzles and scalextrics. This routine is working quite well for us at the moment. As time goes on there is the inevitable bickering and getting on each others nerves which kicks in, at this point we have time out sessions filled with individual reading and training sessions on how to behave kindly and appropriately. It works as a deterrent as they are not fond of my behavior training sessions.
As I said in previous polls, we have been so lucky with the weather and it has really helped that they have been able to let off steam in the garden. We have been spoilt with sun everyday with no rain at all. Having looked at the weather forecast for this coming week it looks very rainy so that will change the dynamic, I am preparing to be pulling my hair out by Wednesday. I will let you know in our next poll which is coming soon.
Poll 11 – SeaWorld Orlando: When the gates reopen, are you planning to go?
Third in our mini series asks the same question from Poll 9 and 10 and focuses on SeaWorld. Like in the case of so many companies, SeaWorld, is being forced to borrow more and more money as time frames for theme park closures continue to extend. Our question for Poll 11 is when the gates open will you choose to visit SeaWorld? Will you just choose Disney or Universal or will you choose to avoid them and opt for SeaWorld? Based on the response to our Universal poll in comparison to our Walt Disney World Poll I am guessing that there will be even less of a response to this one, in that it deals with what many would feel to be the least popular of the three.
Having said that, our recent SeaWorld article, SeaWorld in Serious Trouble Following Park Closure had amazing interest which leaves me at a loss as to knowing whether people will head back to SeaWorld or won’t they? So here it is, our choices as with Poll 9 and 10, they remain the same:
- Yes, I can’t wait to go!
- Yes, but it will depend on what measures are put into place so I feel safe
- No, Not until a vaccine is sorted and I know it is safe
- No, I won’t be able to afford it
- Maybe, I really can’t make a decision at the moment
To vote CLICK HERE, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family.
Our Park Guides Pages give you all the information you need about all the rides at The Magic Kingdom and Disneyland as well as to 80+ other theme parks around the world which makes it the perfect resource when planning your trip or when dreaming of what you will ride one day in the future.
If you are looking for something to read to relax you during these difficult times, then check out these new feature articles on Theme Park Tourist:
- EDITORIAL: Universal’s New Theme Park May Be An Epic Mistake… Here’s Why We’re Worried…
- You’ll Never See Animal Kingdom The Same Way Again After Seeing It Through Joe Rohde’s Eyes…
- The INSANE 700-Foot Coaster That Was So Crazy it Was Never Built
- 6 Iconic Characters Universal Let Slip Through Their Fingers
And, if you missed them, here are the new features from last week:
- 9 Things Every 80’s Kid LOVED at Walt Disney World
- Retro Rewind: Universal Studios Florida – Experience The Magic of Movies
- 8 Mouth-Watering Savory Dishes From Disney Parks You Can Make at Home
- A Crash Course in Gwazi, Florida’s Most Iconic Wooden Coaster
Let me know if you have a great poll idea you would like to put to our readers. Like I said I don’t know where our adventure will take us and what we will find out but come along for the ride by voting and sharing this post to keep theme park lovers all round the world smiling!
