WDW Closings due to COVID19

[Travisma 1,317]

A tiny bit of good news for FL

Hard Rock Casino to close Friday evening

TAMPA, Fla. - All Seminole Hard Rock Casino’s, including the one in Tampa, will temporarily close at 6 p.m. Friday evening to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

The move to close the facility comes just days after representative Jackie Toledo held a press conference outside the Hard Rock calling for it to temporarily close amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Hotel guests will be contacted directly to accommodate their current bookings and needs, wherever possible. 

 

The proactive measures put in place allowed Seminole Gaming to operate within the guidelines established by the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC). Hard Rock officials said the goal had been to protect their livelihood without jeopardizing public safety. However, they said they have reached a point where we do not feel comfortable taking that risk.

The decision to close affects the following casinos:

•         Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
•         Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee
•         Seminole Casino Brighton
•         Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
•         Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
•         Seminole Classic Casino (Hollywood)

Seminole Gaming employs nearly 14,000 Seminole Gaming team members in the state and officials said the decision to close was not taken lightly.  

 

Yesterday they we not going to close since they didn't have to follow and US government guidelines.

While extreme measures are being taken across the state to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa is still open for business.

A state lawmaker is demanding the operation shut down.

“Schools are closed, bars are closed, but the casinos remain open,” said State Rep. Jackie Toledo.

She’s urging the casino to follow the lead of other businesses, and stop allowing thousands of people inside. Toledo told FOX 13 News employees are reporting sick guests, dirty machines, and a lack of cleaning on the gaming floor.

“In a casino, patrons have to touch screens, they touch money, they touch chips, and they touch tables, they are encouraging the spread of this virus,” Toledo said. “There is no reason in this war against the invisible enemy that the Seminole Hard Rock can’t keep its employees and patrons safe.”

[Travisma 1,317]

Orlando-based Darden Restaurants to close all 1,800 dining rooms, due to coronavirus

Darden Restaurants, Inc., the only Fortune 500 company located in Orlando, announced Friday it is closing its 1,800 restaurant dining rooms nationwide, due to the coronavirus pandemic rocking the world.

For now, the chain will continue operating takeout and delivery kitchens, with six to 10 employees per shift.

The dining rooms will close up indefinitely at the end of the night on Friday, according to CEO Gene Lee.

Darden's brands include LongHorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Eddie V's Prime Seafood, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52.

The company employs 150,000 workers nationally.

Darden CFO Rick Cardenas said on a call that sales were down approximately 60 percent as of Wednesday, with the same percentage of restaurant dining rooms already closed. By Thursday morning, the number of closed dining rooms had jumped to 80 percent.

On Thursday, the company announced it would send emergency pay to its employees, based on the average hours worked over the previous 13 weeks, for those who can't get shifts or hours due to closures.

Lee noted he has stopped taking his million-dollar annual salary, which works out to approximately $19,230 a week.

"We are committed to the health and safety of our team members and guests by offering limited or no contact curbside pickup and practicing social distancing in our seating configurations in all locations where we are permitted to operate our dining rooms," wrote Lee. "Though it will not be enough to make everyone whole, our Emergency Pay Program — specifically designed to support our dedicated, hourly team members — will begin next week."

[Grumpy and Grandma 740]

1 hour ago, ThemeParkCommando said:

Since you carry the virus 5 to 14 days before symptoms show up, he was probably ill when he got on the plane, or caught it on the plane to Orlando in the first place. 

This is a disaster of such a magnitude as I never expected to see.  Even staying home now for a month, it's not going to stop infections, and IF everyone tries to return to business as normal in May, then it will fire up again, and we will just have kicked the curve down the line.  The virus is here to stay, and all we can do is try to slow it down so the hospitals can keep up and hope that someone can create a vaccine, fast.  It still does not kill the majority of people.  It's more contagious than we thought, but 75% of the population will probably not need hospitalization.  It's just that we don't have enough hospitals for the 25% that will need it. 

Based on the numbers coming out of CHINA (which as usual the media is ignoring)  recovery rates have spiked in the last few days.  Last number I saw was over 68,000 and they only had 80,000+ infected.    As I posted in the PARKS thread they are starting to reopen DIS SHANGHAI incrementally.   There have also said the mortality rate is lower than once thought..   

https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-case-fatality-rate-wuhan-china-lower-than-estimates-study-2020-3

[fladogfan aka Gretchen 259]

On 3/20/2020 at 8:59 AM, Travisma said:

Too Funny

FB posts

I don't have anywhere to go, but I'm thinking about driving up and down I-4 to see what it's like to go over 30 MPH!

Many parents are just about to discover the teacher was not the problem!

Been homeschooling a 6 and 8 year old for 1 hour and 11 minutes.  Teachers deserve to make a billion dollars a year... or a week.

That moment when you're worried about the elderly and realize that you are the elderly.

Maybe now society will realize we can make it without celebrities and professional athletes, but we can't make it without farmers and ranchers.  Or retail clerks and blue collared tradespeople!

Had to laugh out loud, really loud, about the driving I-4. 

YES teachers are not paid anywhere near what they are worth.

A few weeks ago I was ticked because someone was treating me like a little old lady.  Then I remembered how old I am(78) and thought,

Oh yeah, I am a little old woman, sometimes I'm a lady

[Travisma 1,317]

Am I the only one that is getting aggravated about these various blog sites posting their theories about when the parks and hotels are going to be opened, and how they will allows guests back in?

All it’s doing is riling up people and spreading false information around.  The Disney fanatics are going crazy out there making plans and speculating either further about opening dates.

Until word comes from Disney these “supposedly reliable” sites are doing a disservice to everyone and should be banned from Facebook and have their sites blocked.

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

5 hours ago, Travisma said:

Am I the only one that is getting aggravated about these various blog sites posting their theories about when the parks and hotels are going to be opened, and how they will allows guests back in?

All it’s doing is riling up people and spreading false information around.  The Disney fanatics are going crazy out there making plans and speculating either further about opening dates.

Until word comes from Disney these “supposedly reliable” sites are doing a disservice to everyone and should be banned from Facebook and have their sites blocked.

They survive on clicks and travel agent sponsorships. If they dont get the clicks they dont get paid. So click bait it is. 

[ImDownWithDisney 342]

9 hours ago, Travisma said:

Am I the only one that is getting aggravated about these various blog sites posting their theories about when the parks and hotels are going to be opened, and how they will allows guests back in?

All it’s doing is riling up people and spreading false information around.  The Disney fanatics are going crazy out there making plans and speculating either further about opening dates.

Until word comes from Disney these “supposedly reliable” sites are doing a disservice to everyone and should be banned from Facebook and have their sites blocked.

Until this virus is dead I won't give a shit when the parks open. I would visit FW tho

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

10 hours ago, ImDownWithDisney said:

Until this virus is dead I won't give a shit when the parks open. I would visit FW tho

it's a virus... is the thought that it's going to die?  Not trying to be funny, simply pointing out that viruses do not go away.  

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

22 hours ago, Travisma said:

Am I the only one that is getting aggravated about these various blog sites posting their theories about when the parks and hotels are going to be opened, and how they will allows guests back in?

I've stopped clicking on any of them.

16 hours ago, Katman1356...Jason said:

They survive on clicks and travel agent sponsorships. If they dont get the clicks they dont get paid. So click bait it is. 

Because this exactly.

1 hour ago, twiceblessed....nacole said:

it's a virus... is the thought that it's going to die?  Not trying to be funny, simply pointing out that viruses do not go away.  

Seems unlikely.  It may run its course, similar to the regular flu virus, and then peter out,  but like the regular flu, it could resurface next "season".

That's why they're saying that while a vaccine is unlikely to be ready in time for what's happening now, it will seriously help when this thing raises its ugly head next time.

[ImDownWithDisney 342]

1 hour ago, twiceblessed....nacole said:

it's a virus... is the thought that it's going to die?  Not trying to be funny, simply pointing out that viruses do not go away.  

It's probably wishful thinking, but yes they do die. They can only live outside of the body for various times on different surfaces. If everyone sequestered long enough it could run its course and die out like SARS, MERS, bird flu, etc

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

22 minutes ago, ImDownWithDisney said:

... If everyone sequestered long enough it could run its course and die out like SARS, MERS, bird flu, etc

That's the kicker. Unfortunately with people still running around in groups like it's no big deal, it seems unlikely. Just one example - Greenwich CT closed all their parks, tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, ball fields and "open spaces"  this weekend because people keep gathering in large groups.

Even NH is pushing to close the few state beaches on their whopping 18 miles of coastline because people are still gathering in large groups. I have a friend on the coast who took a ride this weekend and she said the beaches were full of people and the local seafood place, while takeout only, had a large crowd and lines of people in the parking lot.

(sigh)

[Travisma 1,317]

24 minutes ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

That's the kicker. Unfortunately with people still running around in groups like it's no big deal, it seems unlikely. Just one example - Greenwich CT closed all their parks, tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, ball fields and "open spaces"  this weekend because people keep gathering in large groups.

Even NH is pushing to close the few state beaches on their whopping 18 miles of coastline because people are still gathering in large groups. I have a friend on the coast who took a ride this weekend and she said the beaches were full of people and the local seafood place, while takeout only, had a large crowd and lines of people in the parking lot.

(sigh)

The world revolves around them.

They don't need to follow any stinkin rules, rules are made to be broken!

[keith_h 420]

On 3/22/2020 at 12:03 PM, Travisma said:

Am I the only one that is getting aggravated about these various blog sites posting their theories about when the parks and hotels are going to be opened, and how they will allows guests back in?

They don't bother me at all. I don't waste time reading them.

[Grumpy and Grandma 740]

5 hours ago, Travisma said:

The world revolves around them.

They don't need to follow any stinkin rules, rules are made to be broken!

Just like all the A HOLES from NY who are now flocking to FL to move in with their parents and grand-parents.  The GOV just made that statement from the VIllages..    But of course de Blasio will blame it on Trump...

[Beckers 1,136]

1 hour ago, Grumpy and Grandma said:

Just like all the A HOLES from NY who are now flocking to FL to move in with their parents and grand-parents.  The GOV just made that statement from the VIllages..    But of course de Blasio will blame it on Trump...

They are doing that to the Jersey shore too. First case in Cape May County was an out of stater who was “trying to get away”. 

[Grumpy and Grandma 740]

1 hour ago, Beckers said:

They are doing that to the Jersey shore too. First case in Cape May County was an out of stater who was “trying to get away”. 

DeSantis just mandated that they self quarantine for 14 days...  NJ included

 

New Yorkers flying to Florida amid stay-at-home order ...

www.wesh.com › article › new-yorkers-flying-to-florida-coronavirus

 

1.  

8 mins ago - Gov. DeSantis said “huge amounts” of New Yorkers are flying to Florida ... who travels from New York or New Jersey to Florida to self-isolate for ...

 

EDIT:  He just announced that the "SELF QUARANTINE"  will not be with family members and he is mobilizing the necessary staff to meet all the incoming flights.  

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Quote

Walt Disney Company Senior Executives Take Salary Cuts Due to Unprecedented Disney Parks COVID-19 Closures

...Bob Chapek sent out an email earlier saying all senior executives will have their pays reduced during this period. Chapek himself is having his salary reduced by 50%. Bob Iger has agreed to forgo 100% of his salary. Various decreases in pay for SVPs, EVPs, and VPs have also been enacted: VP by 20%, SVPs by 25%, EVP by 30%.

...The salary cuts are temporary, but will remain in effect “until the company forsees a substantive recovery in business”, according to the email sent out by Bob Chapek to Cast Members earlier today. Salary cuts are to go into effect on April 5th.

https://wdwnt.com/2020/03/breaking-walt-disney-company-senior-executives-take-salary-cuts-due-to-unprecedented-disney-parks-closures/?fbclid=IwAR3-0PSM4iyqs80wubv2BxedimHqGtvboo7wzYDjMgm4hqQyXCyjpPJseEk

[fladogfan aka Gretchen 259]

2.5 million and Chapek is only taking 50% reduction?  So good of him, says a former cast member.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Quote

 

Disney Construction Projects Defunded, Layoffs Underway

MARCH 31, 2020

As Disney continues to tighten their financial belts, sources have confirmed that layoffs are underway and various construction projects have been defunded around Walt Disney World property.

As Disney executives were taking pay cuts, layoffs were underway as contractors were let go that were part of construction projects set to debut for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary.

While we don’t have a comprehensive list of projects that have been defunded and those that haven’t, we’re told that projects that are substantively far along will be finished, while those that aren’t have been defunded. As Disney looks towards the future, projects like the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel have been defunded to finish projects like Tron Lightcycle Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Other projects that are further along like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will also be funded and finished with money previously set aside for upcoming construction projects such as the massive EPCOT central spine project. Disney is really trying to stretch their dollar as the uncertainty and indefinite theme park closures continue to make the future difficult to predict.

Our sources noted that the decision to begin layoffs at the contractor level is an effort to keep as many full time Cast Members on the payroll for as long as possible. They say that Disney is a wonderful company to work for and immediate management did what they could to keep workers on projects as long as possible, but that the edict came from on high.

In addition to layoffs taking place in some office settings, WFTV reports that workers from the Buena Vista Construction Company have been laid off as well. Buena Vista Construction Company is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company and the workers are use to being laid off as projects come and go. What was a surprise was the short notice given to the workers, with Disney reportedly laying off workers the day that the parks closed.

https://blogmickey.com/2020/03/disney-construction-projects-defunded-layoffs-underway?fbclid=IwAR3frKX9UCsXx2qzWTeIqSSfbDu-FUkuYACib2yAiIPkTLufE2Bfwdk_Z68

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

I was just going to post the same article Mo.  i wonder what will become of Reflections?

[Travisma 1,317]

29 minutes ago, AC in A2......Aaron said:

I was just going to post the same article Mo.  i wonder what will become of Reflections?

Well the Star Wars hotel is a lot further along then Reflections so if they stopped that I would guess we will be seeing construction fences for a long long time.

 

What about the new horse barn?

[djsamuel 322]

7 minutes ago, Travisma said:

Well the Star Wars hotel is a lot further along then Reflections so if they stopped that I would guess we will be seeing construction fences for a long long time.

 

What about the new horse barn?

The horse barn was so close I would think they would finish that.  It would really be a shame to let it sit after being so close.  Of course the staff to take care of the horses is probably minimal and not enough to move them in.

 

[Travisma 1,317]

10 minutes ago, djsamuel said:

The horse barn was so close I would think they would finish that.  It would really be a shame to let it sit after being so close.  Of course the staff to take care of the horses is probably minimal and not enough to move them in.

 

Not to mention all of the construction fencing that would need to be relocated and access roads/paths opened over to the barn that would miss all of the construction.

[djsamuel 322]

46 minutes ago, Travisma said:

Not to mention all of the construction fencing that would need to be relocated and access roads/paths opened over to the barn that would miss all of the construction.

That's an excellent point.  What a mess. 🙁

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

43 minutes ago, AC in A2......Aaron said:

I was just going to post the same article Mo.  i wonder what will become of Reflections?

I think there’s a double whammy at play here. First, Disney is going to have to dig itself out of a huge hole. They will probably need to stop funding construction projects for a while. Second, all the potential DVC buyers will have their own financial holes. Even if Disney can finish the project, will there be any buyers?

The shame of it all is that this happened after they fenced off and leveled half the Settlement. The damage is already done. 

TCD