The Orange County Economic Task Force met this morning to discuss further opening of Orange County. At this meeting Walt Disney World presented their reopening proposals.
​
Jim MacPhee, Senior Vice President – Walt Disney World, proposed a phased reopening of the Walt Disney World theme parks as follows:

• July 11th – Reopening of Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom
• July 15th – Reopening of Epcot and Hollywood Studios
  
  

These dates will be preceded with Cast Previews and Affinity Soft Opening preview days – generally meaning media and Annual Passholders, though this was not specified. 

This reopening plan allows the Walt Disney World Resort to launch, learn and adjust their plans along the way to ensure the safety of guests and cast members. Disney Vacation Club Resorts and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will  re-open at limited capacity on June 22nd. No date was announced for the reopening of Disney’s Water Parks or other Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
​
Additionally, there will be limitations on daily theme park attendance and a theme park reservation system will be in place that requires all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance. More details on this system will be announced as we move towards the reopening date. Additionally, there will be reduced capacity on attractions, dining and transportation. 

​Walt Disney World has worked hard to develop the following new Health and Safety Protocols for their property. 

The objective of the plan is to “Establish and implement enhanced health and safety protocols for a responsible re-opening of the Walt Disney World Resort”. The plan is broken down into five health and safety protocol categories and all focus on Education, Communication and Engagement. The five categories are: Enhanced Protective Measures, Physical Distancing, Enhanced Cleaning/Sanitation, Temperature/Health Screening and Limited-Contact Enhancement.

Enhanced Protective Measures:

• Guests
  • Required face coverings while on property
  • Hand-washing and sanitizing stations and signage reminders at appropriate locations in the theme parks
  • Plexiglass at points of sale in retail and food & beverage locations where distancing cannot be maintained
• Cast Members
  • Company issued reusable face coverings
  • Sanitizing stations and signage reminders

Physical Distancing:

• Guests:
  • Reduced capacity of theme parks, restaurants, retail, attractions, buses, monorails and other transportation that enables appropriate physical distancing
  • Temporarily suspend parades, fireworks and other events that create crowds
• Cast Members
  • Enhance/modify backstage areas to enable distancing while on lunch/break periods in break room and backstage environments

Enhanced Cleaning/Sanitation:

• Guests
  • More frequent cleaning across high touch locations and surfaces in operating areas
• Cast Members
  • More frequent cleaning across high touch locations and surface in operating areas, including control rooms, break rooms and conference rooms

Temperature/Health Screening:

• Guests
  • Temperature checks at Main Entrances to theme parks
  • 3rd Party screening via contactless, handheld device
• Cast Members
  • On-site temperature checks for Cast Members in Guest-facing areas
  • Daily at-home temperature checks and health assessment prior to departing to property location

Limited-Contact Enhancements:

• Guests
  • Contactless payments with Magic Bands, Apple Pay, Google Pay
  • Enable cashless transactions at restaurants and retail
  • Further enable mobile order at food and beverage locations
  • Temporarily suspend high touch experiences such as Meet & Greets and Play Areas
• Cast Members
  • Enable cashless transaction at restaurants and retail
  • Temporarily suspend high touch experiences such as Meet & Greets and Play Areas
  • Continue practice of providing individual costumes to Cast Members

​As stated, these protocols will be implemented with a focus on education, communication and engagement. Guests will be notified of new protocols and expectations through the Walt Disney World mobile app and website, and signage reinforcing the new health and safety guidelines and protocols will be strategically placed throughout the property explaining that “we all need to do our part”. Additionally, a new Social Distancing Squad of dedicated Cast Members will be present throughout the parks to engage with guests and assist in enforcing new rules and procedures. All of these measures can already be seen at Disney Springs, which began a phased reopening last week and expands today to include select Disney-owned locations including World of Disney and Marketplace Co-op.

In an effort to accommodate already ticketed guests and Annual Passholders, Disney has suspended the sale of new theme park tickets and resort reservations at this time. We know that this has been a trying time for many of our guests, and we understand that you may feel hesitant to continue with vacation plans at this time. We encourage you to reach out to your Once Upon a Time Vacations travel advisor to discuss your thoughts and options for future travel. We are hopeful that things will return to a more normal state as soon as possible, and are appreciative to Disney for their care and dedication to creating a safe atmosphere for all Walt Disney World Guests and Cast Members.
​
Hope to see you in front of the castle, from a socially appropriate distance, in July.

​This afternoon the Orange County Task Force met to discuss the reopening of Orlando. In the discussion, Universal’s John Sprouls proposed the resorts plans for a June reopening of their theme parks, and the motion was unanimously approved by the task force. These procedures and recommendations were developed in accordance with the Mayor, Governor and Medical professionals in the state of Florida. 

Beginning on June 1, Universal will begin a phased reopening as follows:

• June 1 & 2 – Theme Parks open to team members in a soft open that will allow park and health officials to vet the program that is in place and learn from it in a controlled environment.
• June 3 & 4 – Pending no issues the previous two days a group of invited guests, including some annual passholders will be allowed to the park
• June 5 – Proposed public opening pending no issues the previous four day.
  
• This gradual reopening of the parks will allow for better capacity management across the resorts and each attraction, food and merchandise venue, as well as allow park and government officials to monitor the effectiveness of procedures.

There will be modifications to both the guest and team member experience going forward with a focus on the “Three Ss” – Screening, Sanitation and Spacing Standards.

Universal Parks & Resorts COVID Guest Journey

• Touchless points on engagement wherever possible
• New signage reinforcing guidelines and social spacing standards
• Pre-Arrival communications
• Guest Messaging App
• Temperature Checks
• Face Masks required
  • A complimentary disposable face mask will be provided if guests fail to bring one.
• Elimination of Single Rider line

Universal Parks & Resorts COVID Team Member Journey

• Self-Temperature Checks at home
• Staggered parking
• Temperature checks upon arrival
• Face Masks required
• Training on all new procedures and health standards (training beginning this weekend)
• Message points and app adoption goals to help guests with contactless experience

Universal Parks & Resorts COVID Preventative Measures
“This plan was put together with government and health officials input, consumer research, competitive benchmarking, scenario planning and demand modeling; Reinforce the safety and security of the park creating confidence among guests

• Measures broken into 6 sections covering the “3 Ss”
  • Transportation, Parking & Valet
    • Screening:
      • Guest temperature checks at parking or main entrance (forehead non-contact)
      • Guests found with 100.4 degree temperature or more will be requested to see a doctor and not visit the theme park that day.
      • Provide one free disposable face covering to guest who did not bring their own
    • Sanitization:
      • Automated spiels at entry locations in multiple locations in multiple languages on preventative measures
      • Guests required to wear face covering
    • Spacing:
      • Close Valet operation
      • Park guest vehicles 1-2 spaces apart in garages
  • Security, City Walk & Front Entry
    • Screening:
      • Audio message on walkway reminding guests to follow all new safety protocols
    • Sanitization:
      • Eliminate brochure racks for maps, team members to hand out individually
      • Encourage utilization of mobile app
    • Spacing:
      • Distancing and spacing for queuing at turnstiles; reducing turnstile count
      • Every other locker bank to be disabled and guests will be pulsed into locker area by a team member
  • Attractions & Entertainment
    • Screening:
      • Close interactive play areas
      • Hand out 3D glasses individually
    • Sanitization:
      • Reduce or eliminate water/mist elements
    • Spacing:
      • Implement Virtual Line at highly attended attractions
      • Space travel parties as appropriate
      • Eliminate single-rider line
      • Eliminate post show meet & greets; performer remain on stage for pictures
      • No parades to run; individual float interactions to have performers remain on floats
  • Dining & Merchandise
    • Screening:
      • Face coverings will be offered for sale
    • Sanitization:
      • Menus to be converted to single use
      • Individually package condiments; pre-wrapped silverware
      • No buffet or self-serve options in restaurants
    • Spacing:
      • Utilize Mobile Food Orderings to enable direct to table seating and food delivery
      • Contactless payments offered with Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and mobile wallet in APP
  • Team Members
    • Screening:
      • Self-temperature checks at home and upon arrival to work; TMs with 100.4 temperature or more/flu-like symptoms will be sent home
      • If TM has temp, will not return to work for 72-hours
      • Team Members 65+ encouraged to stay home
    • Sanitization:
      • All Team Members will be required to wear face coverings
      • Temperature check and health service professionals will wear gloves in addition to any position who wore gloves prior to VOCIV-19
    • Spacing
      • Desk spacing and continued work from home options
      • Staggered parking in parking garages
      • Encouragement to avoid crowds during time off without proper distancing
  • Volcano Bay
    • Screening
      • The CDC has state that well-maintained pools using chlorine and bromine are known to inactivate the virus COVID-19
      • Ride vehicles, rafts and life vest cleaning will be placed in water for additional cleaning as needed
    • Sanitization
      • Number of tubes in lazy river and life vests in action river will be reduced
    • Spacing:
      • Reduce number of guests per raft slides to party size only (no grouping of unfamiliar parties)
      • Lounge chairs placed in clusters to support travel party seating and separate 6-feet apart

​Additionally, Universal provided a first-look at new signage installed throughout their parks, including a Guest Communication Handout, Attraction Queue Entry, and Social Spacing reminders and indicators.

The Orange County Task Force made a preliminary walk-through of the parks on May 21st to review their park readiness plan and has made the recommendation that their opening progress forward. The Task Force voted unanimously to approve the motion and Orlando Mayor Demings will present the plan to the Governor tomorrow morning.

Not specifically addressed in the presentation were plans for the reopening of Universal's resorts. As this information is released we will update everyone.

Walt Disney World announced today, via the Disney Parks Blog, that they will reopen World of Disney, Marketplace Co-Op and De-Luxe Burger (mobile order only) on May 27th – one week after the reopening of select non-Disney restaurants and retailers.

With the phased Disney Springs opening there will be new safety and health procedures in place to protect both guests and cast members. These include:

• Parking and Entrances: During this initial phase, guests will be directed to self-park in the Orange and Lime Garages. All surface lots will be closed. We will also reduce the number of entrances for Disney Springs to four locations: Orange and Lime Garages, along with the Hotel Plaza Boulevard pedestrian bridge and ride share location.
  
• Appropriate Face Coverings: All guests 3 years of age and older, along with cast members and third-party operating-participant employees, will be required to wear an appropriate face covering while visiting Disney Springs. This is an important part of protecting both our guests and our cast. Please be sure you have an ample amount of face coverings for yourself and your party before you arrive, as you’ll need to wear them over your nose and mouth at all times (except when sitting at a dining table).
  
• Temperature Screenings: Once you arrive at Disney Springs, you and your party will be required to undergo temperature screenings. Based on guidance from health authorities, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance; those who again measure 100.4 degrees or higher will not be allowed entry, nor will those in their party. I encourage you to check temperatures of yourself and your party prior to leaving home, as an extra layer of precaution.  
  
• Physical Distancing and Capacity Measures: To maintain appropriate physical distancing throughout Disney Springs during this initial phase, we will limit the number of guests visiting the property, as well as within each location. In addition, ground markings will help promote proper distancing when queuing is necessary. We will also add physical barriers in select places where it’s difficult to maintain physical distancing. 
  
• Cleanliness: We’ve increased cleaning and disinfection procedures in high-traffic areas such as elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more. We will also have hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer available, and encourage you to use these frequently.
  
• Cashless Transactions: We’re recommending you use cashless payment options whenever possible during your visit to Disney Springs, including debit cards, credit cards, Disney gift cards, etc. You can also opt for contactless payment options or use cash to purchase a Disney gift card at the Welcome Center and select merchandise locations. 
  • Information from Disney Parks Blog

In addition to new procedures, Disney is also working diligently to retrain Cast Members to be better prepared for these changes, and Cast Members will be on hand throughout Disney Springs to assist guests with questions and concerns, as well as remind guests of the required procedures.
​
Read the full piece over on the Disney Parks Blog or on the Disney Springs website.

In line with the directions from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Disney Cruise Line has made the decision to extend their suspension of summer cruise departures through Monday, July 27th. Concern for the health and safety of guests, crew and cast members guided this difficult decision.
​
If you are currently booked to sail on one of the affected departures your Once Upon a Time Vacations travel advisor will be reaching out to you to discuss your options at this time. Currently, Disney is offering a choice between a cruise credit to be used towards a future sailing, to be taken within 15 months of original sail date, or a full refund. Our advisors will be reaching out you based on sail date, so please be patient as they work through their list of affected guests.

Newly impacted Sailings are as follows:

• Disney Magic
  • May 11-23
  • May 23-30
  • May 30-June 6
  • June 6-13
  • June 13-22
  • June 22-July 1
  • July 1-13
  • July 13-18
  • July 18-25
  • July 25-Aug 5
• Disney Wonder
  • May 8-18
  • May 18-25
  • May 25-June 1
  • June 1-8
  • June 8-15
  • June 15-22
  • June 22-29
  • June 29-July 6
  • July 6-13
  • July 13-20
  • July 20-27
  • July 27-Aug 3
• Disney Dream
  • May 11-15
  • May 15-18
  • May 18-22
  • May 22-25
  • May 25-29
  • May 29-June 1
  • June 1-5
  • June 5-8
  • June 8-12
  • June 12-27
  • June 17-21
  • June 21-26
  • June 26-July 1
  • July 1-5
  • July 5-10
  • July 10-13
  • July 13-17
  • July 17-20
  • July 20-24
  • July 24-27
  • July 27-31
• Disney Fantasy
  • May 9-16
  • May 16-23
  • May 23-30
  • May 30-June 6
  • June 6-13
  • June 13-20
  • June 20-27
  • June 27-July 6
  • July 6-11
  • July 11-18
  • July 18-25
  • July 25-Aug 1

 Additionally, Disney Cruise Line would like to remind guests that overall, DCL consistency and dedication to health, safety and cleanliness is among the best in the industry. The following information is meant to reassure guests that when the cruise industry is able to continue with sailings, they will be ready to greet their guests.

Disney Cruise Line Coronavirus (COVID-19) Additional Information

Disney Cruise Line consistently receives among the highest public health inspection scores and has health and safety protocols in place. We also have a comprehensive plan that outlines protocols for managing illness and closely follow the guidance of public health officials. In light of COVID-19, Disney Cruise Line is operating at elevated cleaning and sanitation levels. Among the procedures currently in place include:

• Training for all of our Crew Members on how best to prevent the spread of illness on board.
• A health screening completed by all Guests and Crew Members to check for illness before they board the ship.
• Extensive cleaning and sanitation of high-traffic areas (e.g., handrails, doorknobs and elevator buttons) and children’s facilities.
• Cleaning of all staterooms twice a day and additional disinfection when necessary.
• Discontinuing self-service at buffet locations.
• Regular communication with Guests and Crew Members regarding how to prevent illness.
• Hand-washing stations and sanitizing wipes conveniently located throughout our ships.
• Medical clinics on our ships staffed with experienced doctors and nurses and stocked with supplies and medications to treat a variety of illnesses.

According to public health authorities, Guests can also help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and many other illnesses by frequently washing their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom and before eating. Parents can supervise their children to ensure they wash their hands thoroughly. Guests are also advised to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue (or upper sleeve) when sneezing, and avoid sneezing or coughing into their hands or without covering their nose and mouth. Guests or Crew Members who show any symptoms of illness are advised to contact their ship’s Medical Center immediately.

Information via Disney Cruise Line


 

​Portions of Universal Orlando’s entertainment district, CityWalk will begin to serve guests from 4-10 pm daily. All theme parks and resorts remain closed through at least May 31st.Here’s what we know.

At this time valet parking will not be available, and self-parking will be complimentary. 
​
Opening locations include:

• Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant and Market
• Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville (outside & Lone Palm)
• Red Oven Pizza Bakery
• Voodoo Doughnuts
• Airbrush
• Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company (retail only)
• Universal Studios Store and select merchandise carts
• Hollywood Drive-In Golf

Each restaurant will have a limited menu and limited seating available. ‘=
Blue Man Group, all nightclubs and Universal Cinemark will remain temporarily closed.

In accordance with CDC guidelines Universal has enhanced their sanitization procedures and implemented additional safety measures including distance spacing and screenings.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Face coverings will be required
• Temperature checks are required – any guest with a temperature of 100.4 or over will not be admitted.
• Social distancing must be practiced, keeping you and your party at least 6’ away from other parties.
• Floor markings will be present, indicating where to stand when waiting.

As per CDC guidelines, it is recommended that older adults and those of any age with serious underlying medical conditions remain home. Universal cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed during your visit.

Read more here.

In a bit of good news, Disney has officially announced that Disney Springs will begin a phased reopening on May 20th.
​
Based on the recommendations and guidelines set forth by government health officials, a limited number of shopping and dining locations, all owned by third-party vendors, will begin to open during this initial phase. All other Walt Disney World property locations will remain closed.

From Disney Parks Blog:
“As we continue to monitor conditions, and with the health of guests and Disney cast members at the forefront of our planning, we are making several operational changes. Disney Springs will begin to reopen in a way that incorporates enhanced safety measures, including increased cleaning procedures, the use of appropriate face coverings by both cast members and guests, limited-contact guest services and additional safety training for cast members. 

We will apply learnings and ideas from leaders in the health and travel industries, and we’re also talking to our unions as we prepare for some cast members to return to work.   

During the initial opening phase, Disney Springs will have limitations on capacity, parking and operating hours. Given this unprecedented situation, we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we navigate through this process as responsibly as we can. Additional protocols and procedures may be announced closer to the opening date. Please check DisneySprings.com as we get closer to May 20 for the most current information on operating hours, locations and safety procedures.”

This is the first in a series of steps that we will see as the entire Walt Disney World Resort makes plans for their phased reopening. As announcements are made, we will continue to update everyone. 

This week is National Travel & Tourism week, and today, May 6th, is National Travel Agent Day! The past couple of months have certainly been unlike anything else we have encountered, and we want to applaud and recognize the resilience of travel agents and others working in the hospitality industry at this time.

Globally, the travel and tourism industry accounts for over 330 million jobs – that’s 1 out of every 10 jobs around the world. Here in the US, the travel and tourism sector supports 9 millions jobs and accounted for approximately 2.8% of the U.S. DGP in 2018. U.S. Department of Commerce. To say our industry has been affected by the ramifications brought about by the Covid-19 Pandemic would be an understatement.
​
But we will survive. 

We know and understand that travel will be one of the last sectors to fully recover, but we also recognize how vital travel is to people around the world. Travel brings us together. It allows us to connect with our family and friends away from the distractions of our everyday lives. We gain new experiences. We make memories. We laugh, we love, we learn, and we connect with each other when we travel. Travel will return. And hard-working travel agents will be here to help you make meaningful travel memories.

Here are just a few key things you may not know about travel agents and how we book travel:

• Travel agents are typically paid after a client travels. They put in hours of hard work to quote destinations, make recommendations, assist you with reservations, and so much more without being paid for that work. They are paid a commission on the booked vacation only.
  
• In cases where commission was paid out prior to the trip cancellation (cruises and some other destinations), agents are required to pay that commission back to the travel vendor (not the agency).
  
• Most travel agents are not eligible for government loans, even with the small business funding that ran out.
  
• Travel agents have been refunding their clients money for cancelled trips, but this leaves them with no compensation for their time.
  
• New travel requests have essentially dried up at this time and many agents have not received a new trip request since late February.
  
• Our agency has now cancelled close to 90% of remaining booked travel through the rest of 2020.
  
• Commissions are paid to the travel agency from the resort, destination, cruise line, etc. If you choose to book independently the destination is just keeping the money that they would have paid to the travel agent/agency. There is NO extra cost to using an agent. Essentially, you are paying for a service you aren’t getting when you book on your own.

So, when you are ready to travel again, please book your travel with a professional travel advisor. We don’t care who, or what travel agency – ultimately, we are all on the same team. But please, use a live person and do not click “book now” on a travel booking website.

Know WHO you are booking with. We cannot stress to you enough the importance of working with a legitimate travel agency for your travels. Online booking sites, big box wholesalers and travel clubs do not have your personal interest at heart. There are countless travel-related horror stories circulating at this time. People are unable to reach the website customer service teams, are being given incorrect information or no information at all from wholesalers. Numerous online travel booking sites have completely shut down in light of the pandemic, leaving customers stranded. Others are stuck speaking with travel club “agents” who have no idea how to proceed through this event, as they signed on with a travel-related MLM Company on the promise of free vacations. Google it or search Facebook for “Scammed by <insert OTA or Wholesale Retailor here> and read the guests stories for yourself.

Please understand that Travel Professionals like those of us here at Once Upon a Time Vacations and our sister organization Storytellers Travel are focused on doing what is best for you, our loyal guests, so that you don’t have to worry. Our agents are making calls to all our suppliers and destinations as information is released, dealing with the hold times, making changes and cancellations and ensuring that you are our top priority right now! Providing the best service possible to you is of the utmost importance to us, just as providing the best medical care is of utmost importance to a Doctor or Nurse.

We know many of you are disappointed by the cancellation of your vacations. We appreciate you and hope to have happier news soon. In the meantime, take a moment to hug your travel advisor digitally - they could use the encouragement! Please feel free to thank your personal advisor in the comments below - we’ll make sure they get the message!

To our guests – we thank you for entrusting us with your precious vacations. We can’t wait to get back out there and celebrate the #SpiritofTravel with you.

And to our industry colleagues, you are warriors and we can’t wait to travel with you again.

Until we meet again,

The Teams at Once Upon a Time Vacations and Storytellers Travel
 

​Today via the Disney Parks Blog, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel shared the steps that the Walt Disney Company is currently exploring in preparation for park reopening. No dates were announced, but we now have information related to what Disney is doing to ready their Cast Members and Parks for an eventual return to business.

Dr. Hymel stated that “together, with our colleagues in operations, and local health and government authorities, we’re evaluating several new and enhanced safety measures to do our part towards helping us stay well while we work, stay, and play at a Disney resort and a Disney Store.” Per her statement, Disney is exploring the following options as they prepare for reopening of their parks, stores, and resorts:

• Phased reopening: We’re looking at all of our locations and how best to begin the reopening process, including a gradual reopening and/or partial reopening of certain locations. For example, the opening of retail and dining locations prior to the opening of our theme parks.
  
• Physical distancing and capacity measures: As you can imagine, managing guest density in queues, restaurants, hotels, ride vehicles and other facilities throughout the park and across the resort is a major focus, as we implement physical distancing guidelines based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies. This will likely include implementation of guest capacity measures to comply with state and federal guidelines. We’re also exploring ways to use technology to aid us in these efforts, like with our Play Disney Parks App and through virtual queues at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
  
• Cleanliness and sanitization: We’re planning increased cleaning and disinfection, determining where that should take place (for example, in high-traffic areas), and the cleaning products and processes we’ll use.  
  
• Screening and prevention support: We’ll follow guidance from the government and the medical community regarding enhanced screening procedures and prevention measures, including those related to personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face coverings. Some measures, like adding hand sanitizers and hand washing stations across our resorts, have already been implemented.
  
• Cast training: We’re further emphasizing our strong culture of health and safety amongst our cast members, and will continue to provide new training and reinforcement as we get closer to reopening.
  • Source: Disney Parks Blog

These are only a few examples, and as the situation continues to develop changes can and will likely occur in accordance with guidelines put forth by the CDC, local governments and other health experts.

Dr. Hymel also shared that she is “working closely with the US Travel Association on a set of guidelines the travel industry may tailor to their individual businesses.”
These guidelines include:

• Create Transmission Barriers:
  
  • Travel businesses should adapt operations, modify employee practices and/or redesign public spaces to help protect employees and customers;
    
  • Travel businesses should consider implementing touchless solutions, where practical, to limit the opportunity for virus transmission while also enabling a positive travel experience;
• Enhance Sanitation:
  
  • Travel businesses should adopt and implement enhanced sanitation procedures specifically designed to combat the transmission of COVID-19;
• Promote Health Screening:
  
  • Travel businesses should promote health screening measures for employees and isolate workers with possible COVID-19 symptoms and provide health resources to customers;
  • Travel businesses should establish a set of procedures aligned with CDC guidance should an employee or customer test positive for COVID-19;
• Follow Food & Beverage Service Guidelines:
  
  • Travel businesses should follow best practices in food and beverage service to promote health of employees and customers.
    
    • Further details can be found here: US Travel Association Industry Guidance for Promoting the Health and Safety of All Travelers

Here at Once Upon a Time Vacations we know that getting back to travel is a priority for many of our guests, and an indication that we are moving towards a bit of normalcy again. We promise to continue to bring you official news as it is shared by Disney, Universal, the local and national governments, and other business leaders related to our industry.
​
In the meantime, we hope you are doing well and staying safe at home. As Mickey likes to say, “we’ll see you again real soon.”
 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis outlined his three-phase state reopening. Under his plan, the state can begin reopening businesses on Monday, May 4th. Under DeSantis’ plan, individual counties have flexibility to determine when and how they will handle the reopening.
Today the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force announced their own plans for a phased reopening of the Orlando area following the current “Shelter at Home” mandate, originally scheduled to expire today. According to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Orange County will not begin the phased reopening on May 4th, though he will allow restaurants and retail shops to reopen as long as they do so in compliance with the governor’s order. Demings did not provide an exact date for the reopening of additional businesses. He also expressed concern that the May 4th date does not give businesses adequate time to prepare for safely reopening and wants to ensure that Orange County vendors are allowed the necessary time to get ready for a safe reopening of their establishments.
Nightly curfews will remain in effect in Orange County for the forseeable future and Universal Orlando will delay the opening of Universal Epic Universe by one year at this time.
The Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force consists of four subgroups: The Guidelines for Reopening Business, Business Readiness Group, Compliance and Consumer Confidence Group, and Bringing Back Tourism Group. The will be meeting again later today and is expected to make an announcement tomorrow regarding initial plans for a reopening of the Orlando area.
Regardless of when Orange County decides to move forward with a reopening schedule, the recommendations for the operations of theme parks, hotels and restaurants outlined by the Governor will be upheld. At this time, those include the following:
Disney and Universal mandates:
Guidelines:

• Tape marking of 6’ apart in ride/attraction queues
• Staff to regluarly wipe down surfaces at random

Mandates:

• All employees must wear face masks
• Touchless hand sanitizer at each ticketing entry and turnstiles
• Touchless hand sanitizer at each ride/attraction entry and exit
• Touchless hand sanitizer at each checkout station
• Temperature checks for staff prior to shift (temp above 100.4 must not enter premises)
• All employees with flu-like symptoms advised to stay home
• Wipe down all railings and surfaces after each use
• Phase 1: 50% capacity
• Phase 2: 75% capacity

 
Restaurants, including those located in theme parks:
 
Guidelines:

• Paper/Disposable menus
• Encourage take-out/online ordering
• Touchless saniter at entry

Mandates:

• Hand sanitizer at every table
• Hand sanitizer at entry to be in plain visible sight
• All employees required to wear masks
• Temperature checks for staff prior to shift (temp above 100.4 must not enter premises)
• All employees with flu-like symptoms advised to stay home
• All staff behind counters must wear gloves (except bartenders)
• Seated tables to be six feet apart

• Phase 1: 50% capacity
• Phase 2: 75% capacity

Hotels and Resorts:
Guidelines:

• Phase 1: Housekeeping services to be limited and allow for minimal guest and employee exposure
• Phase 1: Promote, if available, mobile check-in
• Phase 1: Housekeeping services only clean upon request, or when guests depart
• Phase 1: Allow employees to work from home if not playing a critical role in serving guests
• Phase 1: Only deliver room service to the guests door
• Phase 1: Provide self-parking
• Promote social distancing for all guests and staff
• Recommended touchless sanitizer at entry
• Increase cleaning services and additional sanitation services through cleaning companies
• Phase 1 & 2: Staff who are 65+ are encouraged to stay home

Mandates:

• All employees required to wear facemasks
• Hand sanitizer at entry to be in plain visible sight
• All employees with flu-like symptoms advised to stay home
• Front desk to sanitize on a regular basis
• Consistent cleaning of all guest areas
• Front desk to utilize sneeze guards
• Remove all service items in guest rooms including glassware, coffee cups, etc.
• Mini bars not to be stocked
• Do not offer self-service food
• Space pool furniture according to distancing guidelines
• Pool gates and pool chairs to be sanitized regularly
• Remove all coffee makers from guest rooms
• Remove all guest collateral items, except those which are single use
• Sanitize guest keys before and after each use
• Sanitize bell carts after each use

 
Information obtained from the following sources:

• Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force Meetings (http://netapps.ocfl.net/Mod/meetings/17/1156)
• https://blooloop.com/news/orlando-task-force-guidelines-reopening-theme-parks-disney-universal-covid19/
• https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2020/04/29/orange-county-mayor-plans-to-announce-reopening-plan-friday/

https://newsroom.ocfl.net/media-advisories/press-releases/2020/03/coronavirus-updates/