Coronavirus Impacting Theme Parks

[silver2005]

This may sound weird, but I'm actually thinking of keeping the masks around post-pandemic for use during flu season each year.  Knowing how effective they can be, I'd certainly like another level of protection against the flu, especially being that my immune system has some trouble with it at the initial start whenever I get it.  

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

30 minutes ago, silver2005 said:

This may sound weird, but I'm actually thinking of keeping the masks around post-pandemic for use during flu season each year.  Knowing how effective they can be, I'd certainly like another level of protection against the flu, especially being that my immune system has some trouble with it at the initial start whenever I get it.  

I definitely think we will see people keep wearing them after the pandemic. A lot of people in Asia after the first SARS outbreak wore them. I don't think it'll be mandatory though post pandemic unless another pandemic pops up. 

[CoasterFan3180]

Yeah, I definitely don’t think masks should be mandatory once the pandemic is over, though it might not be a bad idea to wear a mask if you have go out in public while sick with any contagious illness (cold, flu, etc.) going forward.

[jimlaheyscar]

Universal is dropping the empty rows on coasters now.  One party per row, but they no longer leave an empty row.  They are seeing huge crowds and needed to do something to get people moving.

[disco2000]

Disney never messes around...

https://www.yahoo.com/news/stand-disney-world-guest-ejected-195124392.html

[Gabe]

I always find it funny when any Disney article quotes WDWNT, since, like Screamscape, it doesn't have the best reputation.  WDWMagic has always been the gold standard for Disney fan sites, given that several of its more prolific posters (like a certain former poster here who us old timers remember and/or knew) are park insiders or have a direct connection to a park exec in the know (and not the Dippin Dots guy). 

[Gabe]

On 9/22/2020 at 1:58 PM, Gabe said:

I always find it funny when any Disney article quotes WDWNT, since, like Screamscape, it doesn't have the best reputation.  WDWMagic has always been the gold standard for Disney fan sites, given that several of its more prolific posters (like a certain former poster here who us old timers remember and/or knew) are park insiders or have a direct connection to a park exec in the know (and not the Dippin Dots guy). 

For those interested, Indiana Gov. Holcomb has just now authorized Indiana to move into Stage 5 (the last stage) of its virus recovery program.  In particular, this phase lifts all capacity requirements at amusement parks like Indiana Beach and Holiday World, so long as they continue to follow CDC protocols.  Stage 5 begins at 12:01 Saturday morning and runs through Oct. 17 (but can be extended if the numbers continue trending downward.

[IndyGuy4KI]

It seems CF had a decant turnout once things got going.

https://www.cleveland.com/business/2020/10/cedar-fair-reports-late-summer-attendance-increase-issues-300-million-in-notes.html

 

The parent company of Cedar Point said Thursday that visitation at its amusement parks increased in late summer, exceeding 50% of prior-year attendance on several days in August.

[CoastersRZ]

Interesting that in park spending on food, beverage and merchandise spending was up 18%.

I am sure others will agree, that we will be glad when this thing is over.  And their numbers can begin to return to more normal levels.  Impressive that they did have 1.3 million guests in the 3rd quarter.

[IndyGuy4KI]

6 minutes ago, CoastersRZ said:

Impressive that they did have 1.3 million guests in the 3rd quarter.

Very impressive indeed. I am happy to see CF got some cash flow this year.

[MDMC01]

This is great news! Also, not sure if this is old news yet, but this brought me hope for the future when I read it a few days ago:

https://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20200925/29251/florida-removes-theme-park-restrictions-part-phase-3-opening

I was so hopeful as since Disney is one of the biggest (and most visible) theme parks, others will (hopefully) follow suit as/when more states start to open back up.

[CoasterFan3180]

^

I don’t really think that’s the best move right now. IMO, the COVID restrictions at the parks like masks and social distancing should remain in place until a vaccine or effective treatment is widely available, which is still at least several months away at this point. Even though parks have thankfully not been the source of any major COVID outbreaks, it’s better to be safe than sorry right now.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

3 hours ago, MDMC01 said:

This is great news! Also, not sure if this is old news yet, but this brought me hope for the future when I read it a few days ago:

https://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20200925/29251/florida-removes-theme-park-restrictions-part-phase-3-opening

I was so hopeful as since Disney is one of the biggest (and most visible) theme parks, others will (hopefully) follow suit as/when more states start to open back up.

I don't believe the parks should follow that and they should keep the restrictions in place for now until a vaccine is widely available which likely won't be until spring/summer 2021 at the earliest.

[Kenban]

1 minute ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I don't believe the parks should follow that and they should keep the restrictions in place for now until a vaccine is widely available which likely won't be until spring/summer 2021 at the earliest.

At least as of right now nothing has changed at any of the major Florida parks.  Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld have all kept the previous restrictions in place, and it appears they have no intentions of removing them.  This order was done a few days ago and I have heard that it’s been causing issues with some guests not wanting to follow the parks restrictions.

[IndyGuy4KI]

It looks like Disneyland and Knott's might be able to open again soon.

https://abc7.com/orange-county-theme-parks-disneyland-knotts-berry-farm-closed/6845408/

[BB1]

^So that comes on the tail of Newsom basically saying no and no to the concept. If anything, they're going deeper by saying that you have to wear a mask inbetween bites of food now. 

https://www.ocregister.com/2020/10/07/newsom-no-hurry-to-reopen-disneyland-and-other-california-theme-parks/

I'm not anticipating the parks to open until Winter or Spring at this rate. 

[Gabe]

Indiana has now been added to the list of states from which people are advised to quarantine when visiting Ohio.  Just an advisory, but it does reflect the backwards trend lately.

[disco2000]

Warren County is now red...will that bring back reservations or other restrictions?

[jimlaheyscar]

1 hour ago, disco2000 said:

Warren County is now red...will that bring back reservations or other restrictions?

Reservations were put back because CP anticipated hitting capacity.  Does not appear KI is anywhere close to hitting their capacity.

 

[JimParker85]

It's half a world away but I saw today that Energylandia is being shut down for the year (they had open dates through December) because their district in Poland was put in a certain zone due to Covid. Seems to be on the rise all over the place right now. 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

It was expected to go up as the weather cools and people move indoors. So this isn't too much of a surprise. However, Idk if I see Ohio or the country locking down again over the winter or not. Not talking about a strict lockdown like some countries did or are doing, but more like what happened in the winter/spring with the stay at home orders and such. 

[bjcolglazier]

7 hours ago, disco2000 said:

Warren County is now red...will that bring back reservations or other restrictions?

I'm thinking not a chance in hell...lol. 

[wabashcr]

I think most states and municipalities in this country have all but ruled out another lockdown.  It seems pretty clear at this point that it would be almost impossible to implement and enforce.  People just aren't going to go for it.  Unless things get drastically worse (worse than this past spring for sure), efforts would be better focused on mask wearing, social distancing, and other measures to reduce transmission, that people may be more receptive to.  We're going to have to learn to live with the virus.  Unfortunately that means a lot more people are probably going to get sick and die.  Hopefully an especially effective vaccine is available soon, but even that isn't likely to completely eliminate the virus.  

I'd be surprised if anything happens to KI or CP over the next couple weeks, but it's hard to envision a spring opening without some of the same restrictions and regulations currently in place.  We're roughly six months from this year's planned opening date, as well as when they would presumably open next year.  Six months feels like a lifetime ago, so who's to say what will happen between now and April?  The only thing that would surprise me is if life is back to the old normal by then.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

59 minutes ago, wabashcr said:

I think most states and municipalities in this country have all but ruled out another lockdown.  It seems pretty clear at this point that it would be almost impossible to implement and enforce.  People just aren't going to go for it.  Unless things get drastically worse (worse than this past spring for sure), efforts would be better focused on mask wearing, social distancing, and other measures to reduce transmission, that people may be more receptive to.  We're going to have to learn to live with the virus.  Unfortunately that means a lot more people are probably going to get sick and die.  Hopefully an especially effective vaccine is available soon, but even that isn't likely to completely eliminate the virus.  

I'd be surprised if anything happens to KI or CP over the next couple weeks, but it's hard to envision a spring opening without some of the same restrictions and regulations currently in place.  We're roughly six months from this year's planned opening date, as well as when they would presumably open next year.  Six months feels like a lifetime ago, so who's to say what will happen between now and April?  The only thing that would surprise me is if life is back to the old normal by then.

Yeah, I have a feeling we are going to be starting next season with some if not all the restrictions in place. However, as time goes on some stuff may be lifted. I still think we'll see the return of Grand Carnivale, Summer Nights, Haunt, and Winterfest next year. I also see Soak City reopening next season. I think the first thing I see changing in terms of rules is capacity on rides. I think they should at least try to use every row, but maybe not pair single riders. I think they should be able to sit groups of 4 across on Orion next season. It'd be more like Banshee where groups of 4 can sit across, but they don't pair single riders together except maybe have them sit on the ends if they choose to pair single riders for Orion and Banshee. However, it terms of being completely back to how the park was in 2019, I don't see that being until probably the 2022 season which will be a special season anyway with it being the 50th Anniversary season.

[alsoran]

I believe we are yet to see the damage shutting our country down.  Many small businesses are done, and will not be able to recover.  Many people have lost jobs and may not find new ones soon.  Unemployment went higher than it has ever been and now those are not getting the extra $2400 a month and may now be struggling.  Progress has been made on the effectiveness of the treatment of the virus and we are seeing most recover fairly quickly.  Do we need to go backwards?  IMO, Absolutely not!

We are in for a huge upsurge in other issues soon.  We have not let our immune system work, so be prepared for many things to come.  With a nearly 100% survival rate for those that are not already compromised, there is no reason to go backwards.  I will not live in fear!

[Benjamin22]

6 minutes ago, alsoran said:

I believe we are yet to see the damage shutting our country down.  Many small businesses are done, and will not be able to recover.  Many people have lost jobs and may not find new ones soon.  Unemployment went higher than it has ever been and now those are not getting the extra $2400 a month and may now be struggling.  Progress has been made on the effectiveness of the treatment of the virus and we are seeing most recover fairly quickly.  Do we need to go backwards?  IMO, Absolutely not!

We are in for a huge upsurge in other issues soon.  We have not let our immune system work, so be prepared for many things to come.  With a nearly 100% survival rate for those that are not already compromised, there is no reason to go backwards.  I will not live in fear!

I don’t want to get into the politics of it but reopening to soon has caused more economic damage then if we had just waited the extra 2 weeks or so in the initial lockdown. People come first, the economy comes 2nd. The government has the resources to support people who lose their job due to a lockdown.

[alsoran]

43 minutes ago, Benjamin22 said:

I don’t want to get into the politics of it but reopening to soon has caused more economic damage then if we had just waited the extra 2 weeks or so in the initial lockdown. People come first, the economy comes 2nd. The government has the resources to support people who lose their job due to a lockdown.

Not to argue, but the numbers for addiction and suicide are rising because we are not able to gather and live the life we are used to.  Compare those numbers to the deaths and tell me what you find.  I find it very difficult to get accurate numbers of anything concerning the virus and, or death rate.  I have recently seen the overall death rate for 2018, 2019 and 2020 posted on a site that may be inaccurate, but that is the only one I have been able to see these numbers and the rate for this year is actually down from the past 2 years if it is correct.  I am not saying you have to believe me, because it is not something I can back, but I personally think it could be accurate.  

Now, to the government having the resources to support, is that what you want?  I personally do not want to live in a Socialist state.  That is what it is aiming for.  

And last, I appreciate your words as I respect your opinion and may disagree, but I do not want this to sound like I am disrespecting anyone here.  I may be the only one here that thinks America should open back up completely, but hey, that is my opinion.  I may be wrong completely, but it is my opinion.  Protect the ones with compromised conditions, but let us live life.  

[flightoffear1996]

So now that COVID is here to stay how do see this affecting the parks in the future. The bigger parks might have been lucky to weather the storm for one season but what about two?  This could be the dark ages for amusement parks. 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

46 minutes ago, flightoffear1996 said:

So now that COVID is here to stay how do see this affecting the parks in the future. The bigger parks might have been lucky to weather the storm for one season but what about two?  This could be the dark ages for amusement parks. 

I think as vaccines and treatments start to roll out, we'll see a gradual return to normal. I do think we are looking at a rough 2020/2021 seasons for parks. However I think 2022 and beyond should be big years for not just theme parks, but all the entertainment/attractions industry. Mainly due to people eager for a return to normailty. I like to compare it to the "Roaring 20's" which took place after the Flu Pandemic and WWI. I do agree that it's going to take a few years to recover. 

[FUN&ONLY!]

19 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I think as vaccines and treatments start to roll out, we'll see a gradual return to normal. I do think we are looking at a rough 2020/2021 seasons for parks. However I think 2022 and beyond should be big years for not just theme parks, but all the entertainment/attractions industry. Mainly due to people eager for a return to normailty. I like to compare it to the "Roaring 20's" which took place after the Flu Pandemic and WWI. I do agree that it's going to take a few years to recover. 

I don’t see next year being as bad as this year for Kings Island because they should at least still be able to open in April instead of July. I think attendance will be OKAY for what it is, but I do see limited park hours for sure. I wouldn’t expect to see 10:00 PM closings every night in the summer anymore, but I would love to be wrong. I also hope that Cedar Fair’s other properties can resume operations, so the whole chain can be profitable next year. This year Kings Island and the other parks that opened were profitable, but Cedar Fair still saw huge losses with so many other parks being closed.