Orange County Mayor reiterates support of Disney theme park reopenings

Jul 13, 2020 in "The Walt Disney Company"

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Posted: Monday July 13, 2020 4:35pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

In an afternoon briefing, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has again reiterated his support for Walt Disney World's reopening despite a continuing state of elevated new cases and positivity rates of COVID-19 in Florida.

Health and Safety signage for COVID-19 at the Magic Kingdom

Demings said, "if there is one place on planet Earth where we should be successful it would be at Disney. Disney has gone to great lengths to look at all their safety and sanitary protocols and they have instituted proper measures."

However, he then went on to say, "If we see we are exceeding hospital capacity and if there are any outbreaks associated with Disney then we won't hesitate to ask Disney to reevaluate the reopening."

Disinfecting spray at Magic Carpets

Disneyland in California remains closed, and Hong Kong Disneyland will close again on July 15.

At Walt Disney World, all four theme parks are open in some capacity, with Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom officially open, and EPCOT and Hollywood Studios in soft opening.

Magic Kingdom entertainment during COVID-19 phased reopening

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JohnDOct 26, 2020

Yep. I was there all last week. Most of the time, the PA announcement is from the familiar announcer you hear on buses. However, from time to time, I would hear the recording of a British woman making the same announcement. And don't think you won't hear it in Galaxy's Edge or Pandora to preserve theming. Nope. Announcements are park-wide.

wdwmagicOct 26, 2020

Yep these have a bit out for a couple of weeks now. They have definitely had to make it clear that it isn't optional.

Sweet ThingOct 26, 2020

I visited Animal Kingdom yesterday and noticed new signage and announcements stating that guests who do not follow the mask rules will be asked to leave. I did notice more cast members firmly asking guests to stop while eating, make sure their masks were covering their noses, or put their masks back on while taking photos. I spoke to a few cast members and every single one said they just want things to return to normal as quickly as possible and these rules are the only way. I witnessed a couple of cast get ignored by guests when enforcing the rules. Those cast members contacted their supervisors to give descriptions of those guests not complying. I can't remember ever seeing the company take a firm stand like this before.

Giss NericOct 18, 2020

I'm just kidding. It's all lies. I just wanted to switch the topic for a while.

GimpYancIentOct 17, 2020

Ok, so a guy wore a mask with some wording on it. He Wore A Mask properly! No one care's what was written on it.

drizgirlOct 17, 2020

You were about to report someone wearing a mask correctly?

LilofanOct 17, 2020

Easier to fire third party for a poor job.

LilofanOct 17, 2020

If third party crews get hurt on the job, Disney doesn't have to pick up their medical / injury costs. That could run into hundreds of thousands of dollars or even more depending on the severity of the injury.

Giss NericOct 17, 2020

I saw a guy in Magic Kingdom recently with a custom made mask that says "WORN BY FORCE, NOT BY CHOICE." I kinda felt that he was trouble already. I'm was about to report it to a CM but decided to let it go since he's not doing anything wrong anyways. It's just a silent protest. I saw him two times after that while walking in Fantasyland and the other while in the queue at Big Thunder. In all fairness to him, he was wearing the mask and wearing it correctly at both times.