Disney, Universal To Decide On When Theme Parks Reopen; Not Florida

in Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World

disney-universal-castle-globe

Credit: Universal

Yesterday, we reported about the initial guidelines that are being put in place by the Task Force to reopen Florida. They included social distancing and sanitizing measures to ensure guest safety for hair salons, movies, restaurants, hotels, and Florida’s theme parks — Including the Disney Parks and Universal Orlando.

Related: Bob Iger Shares Insight to Disney Parks “New Normal” Once Parks Reopen

Walt Disney World entrance sign

In another Task Force meeting regarding reopening Central Florida that took place this morning, which was live-streamed on YouTube, at around the 30-minute mark Chuck Whittall, speaking for Thomas Mazloum, Senior Vice President of Resorts at The Walt Disney Company, stated Theme parks and other venues of that magnitude shall each develop their own specific and unique set of guidelines following the CDC recommendations and using best practices that will protect the life, health, and safety of their employees and guests. They will be permitted to open at their own discretion with their internally determined level of safe capacities throughout the various [reopening] phases.”

To which Mayor Demings replied: “…you’re precisely right because let me just say it this way when you look at those large theme parks they are like cities under themselves”.

Universal Orlando Resort logo
Credit: Universal Orlando

Mayor Demings also shared concern regarding a “premature” reopening to be announced too quickly, responding to the potential of businesses reopening as soon as Friday.  I do believe it will require some advance notice when businesses will be allowed to open”.

Demings also added that “A day or two just won’t do it in terms of communicating to the public and communicating to the businesses. I believe we’re a week or two weeks from an actual date.”

Related: Florida Shares Insight into Reopening Process for State Tourism, Such as Disney and Universal

You can watch the entire meeting in the recorded live-stream below:

Related: Disney World President Joins Task Force to Reopen Florida’s Economy

The meeting centered mostly on how much enforcement of all these safety protocols will need to be enforced to ensure safety once the shut-down is lifted. These discussions are continuing throughout the week in more task force meetings that are scheduled for today and beyond.

This is a developing story. Be sure to check back with us here at Inside the Magic for the latest updates as we learn more about Central Florida reopening and hopefully dates for the re-opening of the Walt Disney World resort.

in Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World

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