Disney's Reopening Continues with Epcot, Hollywood Studios

I haven't seen any prices for these Festival Items, but I wonder if the suspension of the DDP will result in more reasonable prices for some of these items since guests won't be using DDP snack credits on pricey gourmet fare that are a far better value than candy, popcorn, and drinks. It will be interesting if Disney will maintain high prices for the fancy small plates or leverage the reduced dining options and inevitably increased food/labor costs due to the pandemic to push prices even higher.

Ah, I do love the Food fest just not sure....

Although, in seriousness, Le Celliar has some of the best steaks I've ever eaten.

Great point about the dining plan and its effect on the food festivals. While the Epcot festivals have often been the best way to use DDP snack credits, that's come at the cost of driving up prices for everyone not on the DDP, as Russell notes.

I wonder if this is a step toward making festivals a permanent part of the Epcot experience. They've almost been there in the past, only taking off the summer. But we're getting a festival now, so, will Disney just go-ahead and make them year-round?

I was considering why I'm so inflamed about Disney's rush to open in the middle of a pandemic, and it hit me: We all know that Disney has become the most money-grubbing of operations, and will sell you a $1000 ticket to eat breakfast on the Jungle Cruise if you're dumb enough to pay it. But never did I think that Disney cared more about money than it does the lives of children.

Opening during a raging pandemic is exactly the equivalent of Disney continuing to encourage kids to swim in their alligator-invested lake. One dead kid, okay, it was an accident, but encouraging more to go swimming? Has Walt Disney become the mayor from JAWS?

Maybe I'm naive, maybe Walt put money before human life, but I doubt it. I think he would be beyond appalled at the suggestion that the Company could profit from encouraging others to risk infection in Disney's parks. Look at all the businesses closed down around us--all of them are more caring for their clientele than Disney at this moment. It's sad, and gross, and it seriously makes me think that Disney is a lost cause, that Walt's vision is actually dead, and that the Company truly is as evil an empire as some insist.

Florida's Governor has an excuse for his callous refusal to mandate sensible virus restrictions-- he's a self-interested MAGA fool. But Disney has a far greater duty to protect the people who spend their life's savings to visit the happiest place on earth, and they're luring at least some of those people to their deaths. Disney should know better, Disney DOES know better.

An entire family is going to get sick and die, and Bob Iger's legacy will be up in smoke.

^I don't think Disney's parks will be operating at a profit for a LONG time.

Kernal bites: "We all know that Disney has become the most money-grubbing of operations ..."

Me: No ... No it's not.

Walmart and Amazon have entered the chat. Along with Wells Fargo, Comcast, EA, and well, heck, just about any company on the NYSE.

The Kernal: "Maybe I'm naive ..."

Me: No ... Not "maybe".

Damn, looks like a good selection this year.

Colonel, I think solely selecting Disney as putting people's lives in danger is a little unfair. Of the parks in Florida, they were the last to open doors, even if it does time with new peaks in their transmission and deaths. I personally don't think any parks should be opening during periods of high transmission within the community, but the problem is way bigger than theme parks.

I'm disappointed in the US. The incredible politicisation of a health crisis is disgraceful. It is not simply a lack of leadership, leaders are actively worsening the situation by downplaying the crisis and trying to pretend nothing is happening. Now death rates are surging and areas that had few cases are saturating their hospitals with COVID patients. Most developed countries have this well contained and are reopening. In the US the emphasis was always on reopening before any significant control was achieved.

Unfortunately this puts businesses like theme parks in a very bad position. Little guidance has been provided for them and they are put in the position where the landscape of reopening is dangerous. Businesses should not be expected to close forever, but the people who are encouraging businesses to reopen have actively prevented them from being able to do so safely.

As for Disney having a far greater duty to protect people, I would argue that while they do have a duty, it is nowhere near the duty of the leaders of the country and states who have completely failed.

Grant, I don't disagree with a word you've said. Of course my invective is aimed first at our criminally negligent leaders, and indeed, all of the opened theme parks share in the blame, as do people who refuse to wear masks, or who host social events during this time. All to blame, both for the lives lost and the continued destruction to our economy.

But all of that said, Disney has traditionally been held to higher esteem, and higher expectations, and thus I'm most disappointed in them.

In the law there is the concept of the "attractive nuisance," where if you allow something intrinsically dangerous but enticing to exist on your property--say, exposed electrical equipment--then you can be held responsible when the neighborhood kids jump the fence and electrocute themselves. Disney has just opened the world's most attractive nuisance, and when people start dying, just like with all the other people you've named, Disney will be partially to blame.

Right now I value people and organizations doing the right thing to save lives and get the economy and schools restarted. Those prolonging the suffering by ignoring reality and science can unequivocally bite the big one, Disney included.

Kernal's attractive nuisance example falls short. The electrical panel is not surrounded by warning signs and personnel trained to maximise safety. The kid jumping the fence is not required to wear proper PPE.

In fact, all you need to know about the K. Korn is when he posts the re-opening is "exactly the equivalent of Disney continuing to encourage kids to swim in their alligator-invested lake."

"Continuing?"

Disney never encouraged anyone to swim in the Seven Seas Lagoon. And the fact that K of Corn would assert such a fallacy serves as a clear indication that his agenda here is to bash Disney at all costs.

Go get 'em tiger.

The "attractive nuisance example falls short. The electrical panel is not surrounded by warning signs and personnel trained to maximise safety."

Indeed, the attractive nuisance concept recognizes that even where there are barriers, a land owner can be liable where they are easily surmounted.

But that's not the point. The point is every thinking person knows for a fact that socializing during a pandemic is suicidal. You and the other MAGA members might deny that undeniable fact, but the disease will kill you just the same. For Disney to ignore its social responsibility and throw its hat in with the science-denying fanatics in the White House and the Florida State house is a serious blight on its reputation, at least as far as I'm concerned.

How could my beloved Disney be as self-centered, illogical and demented as the MAGA death cult? It's very depressing.

@thecolonel: Actually, not as illogical and demented because they waited months to do this, acknowledge the pandemic is a real thing happening and doing their best to minimize risks via masks and such. Which is even better than Universal, Sea World or even most business in Florida.

Kernel: "Indeed, the attractive nuisance concept recognizes that even where there are barriers, a land owner can be liable where they are easily surmounted."

I Respond: There are no barriers. There are multiple means and methods that have been implemented to mitigate hazards. There is also signage that advises people how to stay safe. Those variables completely undermine your attractive nuisance comparison. Equally, even absent a pandemic, there are hazards associated with entering a theme park. I would suggest excessive heat during the summer represents a hazard to a substantial percentage of people entering a park. Why is that not a similar scenario as it relates to a park operator opening to the public?

There is also signage that expresses that guests are making a choice as it relates to entering the park. The same way guests are making a choice to enter a grocery store (as opposed to having groceries delivered to their homes) or purchasing food at a drive-thru (as opposed to using a food delivery service).

Kernel: "The point is every thinking person knows for a fact that socializing during a pandemic is suicidal."

Me: No. Everyone is taking a risk. And at this point it is properly referred to as an educated risk. The fact that you go hyperbolic and use a sensationalized phrase like "suicidal" demonstrates your obsession with proving a point. When a person goes snow skiing, swims in the ocean or climbs Everest they take risks -- some of which I would assert are more substantial than going to a theme park and following safety protocols.

Kernel: "You and the other MAGA members ..."

Me: Not even close, cowboy.

Kernel: "...might deny that undeniable fact ..."

Me: If I "deny" it then by definition it can't be "undeniable", Mr. Wizard.

Kernel: "... but the disease will kill you just the same."

Me: Not "will". The proper word is "may". Swing and a miss.

Kernel: "For Disney to ignore its social responsibility and throw its hat in with the science-denying fanatics in the White House and the Florida State house is a serious blight on its reputation,"

ME: They haven't. They have implemented CDC recommended protocols and complied with good practices. The same way they follow codes and regulations to when designing and building attractions. To maximize safety. Your claim that they are ignoring such considerations is inaccurate.

Kernel: "How could my beloved Disney be as self-centered, illogical and demented as the MAGA death cult"

Me: This from the guy who claimed Disney "encouraged" guests to swim in the Seven Seas Lagoon. Weak sauce, buttercup.

thecolonol needs to change his meds and get a grip. He's spewing hysteria up there. This virus kills, at most, 2-3% of people who get it, and people usually know if they're vulnerable, i.e., those with underlying medical conditions. Those people should know by now to avoid public places, including theme parks.

MAGA death cult? Oh yeah, that's a very calm and reasoned opinion.

thecolonol is raving about dead children, when it's well known that children are the least vulnerable, as a group. Disney is taking elaborate precautions, and are enforcing them. Yes, there is still a slight risk, and if people don't want to take that risk, they can stay home. There's also a possibility of getting killed on the road, yet people still drive.

By the way, I see people with their kids all the time in public transit, grocery stores, etc. Does that mean that those parents are being terribly irresponsible, because they refuse to lock up their kids?

More hysteria from thecolonol: "The point is every thinking person knows for a fact that socializing during a pandemic is suicidal."

I strongly believe that societies should mandate the mask and social distancing in public places. However, the statement above isn't helpful because it's hyperbole. Socializing during this pandemic isn't "suicidal" because this virus doesn't kill most people who get it. But when you make such frothing at the mouth statements, it encourages the other side to dismiss you, because you went overboard.

^^^ What he said.

"This virus kills, at most, 2-3% of people who get it . . ."

65,000 Americans got it yesterday. By your math, up to 2,000 of them will die. But it's no big deal, it's a hoax, it's nothing to worry about, it's the "new normal"?

Only people who would say something that stupid must be in a death cult. Largest loss of America lives since the pandemic of 1918, and people hypnotized by Fox News are insisting it's no big deal. Death. Cult. The only thing that will wake you up to reality will be the death of one of your own.

The Kerny writes: "But it's no big deal, it's a hoax ..."

Me: Where did anyone on this thread claim it is a "hoax"?

Only idiots think this pandemic is a hoax -- they're in the same leaky boat as the anti-vaxxers and other deniers of science.

thecolonol, you're talking as if this virus had a 100% fatality rate. If that was the case, maybe your hysteria would be justified. Since that's far, far from the truth, we need more balanced viewpoints because, clearly, we're not all going to hide in our basements for the rest of our lives.

P.S: Keep ranting about "death cults" and other such nonsense. Your credibility is dropping through the floor.

I guess the point is that Disney has a duty of care to the safety of its patrons. It is easily argued that opening up during a pandemic whilst Florida has one of the highest rates of positive cases in the world would be breaching that duty. I'm sure that Disney's lawyers have looked into it to ensure they are covered legally, however ethically its a very grey area.

Still a fan, you mention that if people don't want to take the risk, they should stay at home. This is not how it works. The more this virus spreads the higher risk anyone will get it. People in high risk groups often cannot lock themselves up in a bubble. They may live in a multi-generational home, or work and live paycheck by paycheck. The more people in the community who are positive, the higher risk to everyone. The attitude of "Ï'm young and healthy, I'll do what I want" is why the US is currently in such a mess.

TH, you mention people being able to make informed decisions. I don't think many people in the US truly are. If they get their news from Fox because that's their political persuasion they don't really get a complete picture of the risks. Medical professionals don't know the full scope of this disease yet. Many recovered people have ongoing respiratory and neurological issues, but many of the public have the idea that it's like the flu and that you get sick for a couple of days and get better.

Let's try to be respectful and listen to each other here. I don't believe that Disney deserves specific criticism for their reopening vs others, however their reopening will put the health of some at risk and that is also concerning.

Stay healthy all.

Note to Mr. Crawford: "Respectful"? Sure. But when you join this community about three months ago, and then rampage into a thread and call Disney "the most money-grubbing of operations" and claim that "Walt's vision is actually dead" and that the re-opening is
"exactly the equivalent of Disney continuing to encourage kids to swim in their alligator-invested lake," you are opening yourself to rightful ridicule.

"Death cult"? "Suicidal"?

Come on! For a jackass like me that's just too tempting to pass up.

Peace, love and Trader Sam.

Did someone really write ">>>just<<<< 2-3% of infected die at worst" and (someone else?) essentially suggest thecolonel to get on antidepressants so he can keep denying reality as he should be? Frankly in the interest of my own sanity, i´m just skimming... It is normal and healthy to be depressed when there is a genuine horrible reason to be depressed. Everybody will have to do the emotional work eventually and accept reality. It will not be easier if one waits longer, neither individually nor as a society.

The death cult rethoric is of course all made up, there is absolutly no one on tape makeing such claims! https://www.huffpost.com/entry/john-oliver-coronavirus-death-cult_n_5e8151b1c5b6cb9dc1a29195?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALykA2cWT4JGA6xNBSrK0Ek2Qws3LX76zxOJ346nqMH0oAL4H5Dxn4GQTyOC0t6_jwNZ1nCrrYYpsluMU3mB140eDkmfwQpZaqKl06pibad-Yb035x-4oVWzzoXfNsjPXiL1MRbMRsHFr1XNEoa_FhDcn2EkDta7GjCjewwg1oHi

Oh as a bonus here is Johnsons Science Advisor absolutly not saying he´ll just give up and let people die. He is merely suggesting that people will have to get infected to contain the virus spread and that a 60% infection rate is necssary to achieve that, which is totally different. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XRc389TvG8

I mentioned the mortality rate because thecolonol's overblown rhetoric implies that everyone dies from it. And his raving about death cults and the like does seem to indicate that he needs a change of meds.

I don't believe that people should be selfish -- I think that they should wear the mask and practice social distancing when in public. If everyone did that, it would bring this pandemic to its knees. I don't believe that society can afford shutting down the economy multiple times. Why should everyone be in quarantine again? Those who are most vulnerable should be making that sacrifice, to protect themselves. Otherwise, we are crippling the economy and driving everyone into poverty, in order to protect 2-3% of the population. Let them protect themselves. It's not feasible for them to quarantine? Well, how is it feasible for everyone to do so?

Again, while I favor reopening the economy and most businesses, I don't think everyone should just run off and do what they want. In my province of Quebec, the mask will soon be mandatory in all public places. I have to ask: "what took so long?"

Ignoring every nuance in a person's post and responding with gross-exaggeration and generalization is the quickest way to having your points dismissed.

+1 Jack H.

(Chuckle)

20+ comments range... which means this has definitely crossed from the fun amusement spectrum into the political arena.

Thanks to everyone for providing ZERO information that will change my political opinion or affect my knowledge regarding COVID.

Number of people who read this so you can bestow "knowledge" upon them = 0

@MikeW, you said: "Actually, not as illogical and demented because they waited months to do this, acknowledge the pandemic is a real thing happening and doing their best to minimize risks via masks and such. Which is even better than Universal, Sea World or even most business in Florida."

Huh? Universal and Sea World have very similar precautions and mask requirements in place as Disney. Don't see how Disney's precautions are any better.