The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Disney to open without parades, Mickey close-ups
Rules to prevent COVID-19 spread inadequate, actors’ union says.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA — Despite a huge surge of Floridians testing positive for the new coronavirus in recent weeks, two of Disney World’s four parks are reopening Saturday. When they do, visitors to “The Most Magical Place on Earth” will find new rules in place. Everyone has to wear a mask and maintain social distance, meaning no photo ops with Mickey Mouse and friends. There will be no parades and no hopping between parks is allowed, for the time being, and visitors will need reservations to enter.
Disney employees won’t be allowed to take photos of visitors in front of Cinderella’s Castle since it involves touching the tourists’ cameras. There will be no live shows since the reopening has caused a labor dispute
between Disney World and its actors and singers, whose invitations to return to work were rescinded last week. The Actors’ Equity Association said it was because the union made public its concerns about the lack of testing.
Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will reopen Saturday. Disney World’s other two parks, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, will welcome back guests next week. All of the parks closed in mid-March in an effort to stop the virus’ spread.
Disney World’s crosstown rivals, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando, also closed in March but have been back open for several weeks after instituting similar rules to protect employees and customers from the virus.
Disney has been reopening its parks around the globe for the past two months. In May, the company opened Disney Springs, a complex of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues in Lake Buena Vista.
Disneyland in California delayed its plans to reopen in mid-July, saying it was awaiting guidelines from the state.
The union that represents Disney World actors and singers
‘We don’t believe the workplace plan is safe. It has risks not just for the workers but for the guests.’ — Brandon Lorenz,
Actors’ Equity Association spokesman
wishes the Florida resort would do the same until workers can be tested on a regular basis. Florida has experience recent surges in coronavirus cases, and unlike other Disney workers, the singers and actors can’t wear face masks when they perform.
On Thursday, the performers’ union filed a labor grievance against Disney World, saying their members faced retaliation for demanding coronavirus tests.
For the parks to reopen, “the epidemic must be under control with contact tracing ... and that is not the case in Florida,” said Brandon Lorenz, a spokesman for union. “We don’t believe the workplace plan is safe. It has risks not just for the workers but for the guests.”
Disney spokeswoman Andrea M. Finger said in a statement Wednesday that the company is “moving forward carefully and methodically.” She said seven unions representing thousands of staff have signed agreements to return to work.