6 minutes ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

Hmm... sounds like the initial hubbub over "announcements" may have been optimistic at best.

Completely agree!!

Restaurants opened around here for outdoor dining this week, but I'll be sticking with takeout a little while longer.  Hair salons reopened a week ago and heaven knows I need as my last appointment was in February, but I'm not rushing back just yet.  I figure in a week or 2 I'll see where things are at and proceed accordingly.  DH is surviving with my expert-level hair trimming skills (HAHAHAHA - thank goodness for hats) and I've got a pile of scrunchies and am pretending the gray roots in the mirror are just "highlights". 

You could go the Heidi route

https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/05/9827847/heidi-klum-highlights-at-home-social-distancing-instagram

or this

https://www.inquisitr.com/6063624/heidi-klum-social-distancing-highlights-instagram/

I dyed my wife's hair for her a couple of weekends ago

10 hours ago, PGHFiend said:

I didn't see any campouts or hear of any issues.  

The one thing I was blown away by, at 11:30 there was a super long line to get into Blaze pizza. Yes. 

Now I like Blaze fine on a pinch, but waiting for it? Its like subway for 🍕.  

Different strokes.  

Might've been the least expensive place to eat that was open.

A woman on FB posted a picture from Blaze, and in the background was some vlogger that she follows.  She had the full getup, the iPhone in some sort of cage with a handle and light.

https://www.delish.com/food-news/a32615838/taco-bell-pineapple-whip-freeze/?utm_medium=social-media&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=socialflowFBDEL
 

Taco Bell is coming out with a Pineapple Whip freeze.

Disney isn't the only one hurting

Orlando International

On Tuesday, about 3,700 passengers departed from the airport. On the same date last year, 70,600 departed, according to numbers from the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

57 minutes ago, Grumpy and Grandma said:

Here's the video from FOX35.

https://www.fox35orlando.com/video/686185

Wonder how they are doing elevators? 

I party at a time?

Do they have a single rider line? 

It seems like Disney's do not stand here signs are 6 foot long, so if you stay off of them and in the blank spots in between, you are 6 foot away from the people in front and behind you.

1 minute ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

Scanning through Twitter looking at pics and videos from WDWNT and DFB. Looks like handfuls of people here and there but nothing resembling "crowds".  Have to say I was surprised by how many people were in Basin, but hey - soap!

 

It's early yet, see what happens around dinner time...

27 minutes ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

Universal wasn't letting anyone into City Walk without one either.

Agreed.

I can see people maybe going to DS for dining, but I can't imagine a lot of folks wanting to go through the rigamarole just to go shopping there.  And with so much still closed and no entertainment, I don't see a huge draw for crowds.

 

BUT IT'S DISNEY!!!!!!  

So many people have been having withdrawals they will go if 1 shop opened!

Changes at DS

Trash Can Lids Have Been Removed

For guests’ and Cast Members’ safety, you’ll notice Disney Springs has their trash can lids so that disposing of trash will now be hands-free.

Water Fountains Are Turned Off

Another thing that was mentioned at the Disney Springs preview is that water fountains have been shut off completely for the time being. We previously wondered if Disney would do this to water fountains. We’re expecting they’ll be covered in some way to indicate they’re currently out of service. So far, Disney has installed several handwashing stations (like the ones we saw appear in the parks shortly before the closure began).

Hand washing stations places throughout @DisneySprings Just one aspect of increased cleanliness and sanitation measures. @fox35orlando #FOX35 #WDW pic.twitter.com/mp3ectJza8

— Robert Guaderrama (@RobGuaderrama) May 19, 2020

We’ll be curious to see if Disney Springs provides an alternative source of drinking water, such as portable water stations.

Interesting article

https://touringplans.com/blog/2020/05/19/disney-springs-what-you-need-to-know-for-its-partial-reopening/

Is Disney Really Serious About Making Everyone Wear a Mask?

If you are ages 3 and up, yes.

But What If I Don’t Want To/Don’t Think I Can/Am Concerned About the Heat?

As someone who is not a fan of wearing masks (even though I accept they are necessary when I do go out), my plan is to stay home. Any of the items that I could shop for in person at Disney Springs, I’m able to purchase online. Many of the dining establishments that I’d eat at during a visit to Disney Springs have comparable alternatives that I can order takeout from in the surrounding area. Because this is not a forever rule, there’s nothing wrong with waiting until another time to visit Disney Springs.

But if you still really, really want to go and are concerned about spending all day wearing a mask in the heat, here’s something to think about.

We surveyed our TouringPlans Twitter followers to see how long they typically spend on a visit to Disney Springs. Here’s the results.

Of those surveyed, the common comment was that at least some of that time was spent dining, and when you are seated to eat, you are not required to wear a mask. Because some of the stores where guests would tend to spend a lot of time will not be open for this initial reopening phase, I’d expect people would be trending towards the lower side of the scale, and so we’d see people spending around 2-3 hours at most at Disney Springs, with an hour or so of that mask-free for dining. During that time, should you feel overheated, there will be stores that you can stop inside to cool off as needed. And as always, common sense says that if you are there and feel unwell, you can certainly return to your vehicle for a few minutes to remove your mask, or possibly try another day.

This is from an article posted yesterday

There had been rumblings that guests would be greeted by some special team of Cast Members when Disney Springs reopens tomorrow at Walt Disney World. Well, the rumblings were true and we’re getting a first look at this reassigned team of Disney employees that will help keep guests safe while visiting the shopping, dining, and entertainment district:

About 50 establishments open tomorrow at @DisneySprings Greeters will be roaming the entertainment district reminding folks to practice social distancing.@fox35orlando #FOX35 #WDW pic.twitter.com/AaoDtvzRFe

The team, consisting of former Resort Children’s Activities Cast, “will bring their magic of engaging Guests in fun and caring ways to provide a helping hand in select areas. They have a understanding of enhanced health and safety procedures, and will throw in some pixie dust for good measure”.

So basically, they’ll remind guests to partake in safe practices like wearing masks and staying far apart, but do so with the Disney service and smile we all know and love.

Of course, stick with WDWNT as we will have multiple reporters on the ground at Disney Springs starting May 20th to bring you all the possible coverage of the first phase of the reopening of Walt Disney World Resort.

https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/202005/7466/

As if visiting a theme park resort during a pandemic wasn't already potentially stressful and confusing, now we see that Disney and Universal are taking opposite approaches to promote social distancing.

At CityWalk, Universal has put down floor markings showing people where to stand when queueing. But at Disney Springs, Disney is using its floor markings to show people where not to stand.

Hopefully, people will shrug off the difference and do what they're supposed to at each resort. But given the importance of people changing their former habits to help prevent spread of Covid-19, it would be nice if we could at least get consistent messaging and instructions on what people are supposed to be doing.

The phased reopenings of CityWalk and Disney Springs should help each company determine best practices with new health and safety procedures. Deciding whether it's clearer to mark where people should stand or should not stand is one of those details that needs to be resolved. At Shanghai Disneyland, Disney established that it would go with the "don't stand here" route to keep people an adequate distance apart in queues. But many other businesses, including Universal, are going with the "stand here" approach.

We could debate the merits of each forever, and I expect readers to start with that in the comments. But absent any federal government leadership here, it'd be nice to see an industry association such as IAAPA step forward to provide guidance.

The theme park industry is the business world's expert in managing crowds efficiently. So theme parks have an opportunity here to help teach countless other businesses around the nation and the world by example how best to protect and promote the safety of their customers while doing so with grace and goodwill.

But theme parks will need their example to be clear and consistent to do that.

Some comments....

To me, the issue with Disney's method is that they use both "stand here" and "don't stand here." In queues, squares are marked to tell you where not to stand, but then in viewing areas the squares are where you're supposed to stand. While I think marking where to stand is probably better (unless it's a long area guests are just supposed to pass through), I think either method can work. However, it needs to at least be consistent at a location.

I think if they use the "Stand Here" stickers on the floor, the stickers would get dirty and eventually hard to read which would mean replacing them again and again so i get why they used the "Don't Stand Here" stickers instead but again, a lot of people just plain don't read lol.

It's like being asked to make a fast food run.

Disney - Go anywhere you want, but not to McDonalds.
Universal - Go to Wendy's.

Yeah, I think it's easier to use "Stand Here". If I see a "Don't Stand Here", I'm going to wonder where they want me to wait.

Soon as I saw what Shanghai Disney was doing with the massive "DON'T STAND HERE" stickers, I thought, why not show where to stand, rather then where not to stand.
 People will be drawn to stand ON the special thing. It's much like how the pre-board Cast Members try so hard to get people to stand on the numbered markers at Star Tours and the Tower of Terror so they can full all the seats.

More changes

https://wdwnt.com/2020/05/breaking-corporate-shakeup-continues-as-new-presidents-are-named-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-resort/

The shakeup of the corporate structure continues at The Walt Disney Company, specifically in the Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products division. Disneyland and Walt Disney World will see new Presidents in the coming weeks, with Josh D’Amaro, the former Walt Disney World President, and Rebecca Campbell, the former Disneyland Resort President, moving to new roles.

• Josh D’Amaro Named Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
• Jeff Vahle Named President, Walt Disney World Resort
• Ken Potrock Named President, Disneyland Resort
• Kareem Daniel Named President, Consumer Products, Games and Publishing
• Thomas Mazloum Named President, Disney Signature Experiences

39 minutes ago, AuburnJen said:

https://www.wsfa.com/2020/05/18/drive-in-theaters-making-comeback-during-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR2uyNDQ1qPldg8wGrhKqyL4e4GObyhLFEIQAmihCCudB0l8ooRVnuK5vMA

 

Where there's a will there's a way...

North America’s first drive-in music festival will happen in Orlando this June

1 hour ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

Interesting!  Seems like a heckuva long ride to just drop off some crew. Any other reason they might be headed that way?

They're getting ready for the second wave and the Apocalypse.  They are going to go full MAD MAX!

On 5/15/2020 at 8:28 PM, ImDownWithDisney said:

I'm canceling our mid June reservations. We are at wekiwa springs then headed down to the keys then up to Myakka River. I'm not too stoked on large crowded spaces. 

Don't know if you've seen this?

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-florida-keys-prepares-reopen-hotels-remove-checkpoints-20200518-5k6s3dz2v5ck3pm6dllw7yerae-story.html

Florida Keys to open to visitors on June 1

I'll take a set

There’s a sentence at the bottom of the Disney Springs reopening page ...

By visiting Disney Springs you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to Covid 19.

54 minutes ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

 

And heaven knows there is no shortage of opinions out there, not to mention the trolls that probably have even more time on their hands now to go around poking people with sticks. Then there are the people that think if they "shout" loudly and often enough on social media, they'll force Disney to do something.  Because somehow Disney reads every comment on all the hundreds (thousands?) of blog sites, Facebook and Twitter posts.

 

 

WHAT!!! Disney doesn't read my posts/complaints/suggestions and use them to guide their day to day operations? 

I put a lot of time and thought into my enlightening posts!

I'm heartbroken and devastated.

I guess I'll just have to get on the Disney Moms Panel to make myself heard! 

The Fiend site isn't bad, but all of the other FB Disney sites are going crazy about reopening dates.

There have been some good flaming wars going on.

Disney is doing a disservice to everyone by not putting out an official statement on re-opening.

Even if it's one that says there is no planned date to reopen at this time, which at this time is the truth.

All of the blogger web sites rile up people with clickbait headings about speculations on opening dates.

I know that Chapek said on that WESH interview that there are no planned dates, but I guess it's too hard for a lot of people that only get their news from FB posts and blogs to read real news articles.

WOW, but probably very smart thinking on their part.

Cruise ships are just giant floating petri dishes during the best of times. Can imagine what it would be like now...

Carnival is August at the earliest, Norwegian is July/August time frame.

20 minutes ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

Not to mention that actual medical experts hired by our own government are advising against the rush to reopen everything. 

It is amazing to me how many fools there are who choose to listen to untrained demagogues over scientists and medical experts.        
                
TCD

I just had a call yesterday about looking at some sort of camping time share deal (get 3 nights for going) will definitely not buy into it but the free nights were enticing.

Guy was surprised when I didn't want to book the presentation for the 24th of this month!

Last thing I want to do is sit across from someone talking for an hour, mask or no mask...

You would think that someone in that type of position would know why Disney went this route, or at least have a staff of minions to tell him before opening his mouth.

That's why people hate politicians.  

99.9% of them are so far away from the average American and have no idea how they live.

They have people to do everything for them, live behind their gilded walls, and have no idea about the real world. 

Remember when George H Bush went to a grocery store and was dumbfounded by a bar code scanner.  Had no idea what it was.

We will be having two rich people running for President that will make decisions on how the average person lives, while catering to the uber rich and furthering their agendas.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro wants Disneyland to open up in his hometown in California.

Navarro spoke on Fox News this week about Disney’s decision to open Shanghai Disneyland earlier this week.

He said, “It crossed me that Disneyland in Shanghai is opening this morning, while my own Disneyland in my own homeland in Orange County, in Anaheim, where Disneyland was born, is still shut because of the Chinese Communist Party. That makes me mad.”

Navarro expressed similar thoughts in an interview with CNBC earlier in the week. He suggested he wasn’t sure why Disneyland opened in China before California. 

Uh, maybe because they were closed first, are smaller so it makes a good test situation, the guests are much more likely to comply with the rules imposed by Disney and Shanghai and their cases have dropped off significantly...

During today’s Task Force meeting, Vice President of Walt Disney World Thomas Mazloum reiterated that the booking of reservations starting on July 1 is not necessarily indicative of a reopening date:

“We have taken reservations for July, but that should not mean we are operating in July yet. As you all saw on the news yesterday, we’ve opened up Shanghai, which went extremely well. We were very prudent… and very, very conservative and things went extremely well, but at this point we have really nothing to report about Walt Disney World yet. As we have said continuously, we will allow data to guide us as well as the government and not a specific date. Just wanted to make sure we had clarity around that.”