Effects of Coronavirus (COVID-19) On Entertainment & Tourism Industry

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

If it does happen to stretch out until 2025, I really can’t imagine Universal is going to wait that long to debut Nintendo in Orlando. I see that coming to Kidzone if this is delayed any further. Another year past 2024 wouldn’t be shocking naturally but it’s too early to tell on everything, which is why 2025 to me doesn’t sound crazy.

Heck, some people seemed to indicated 2024 was probably going to be the year anyways. We shall see. I am glad they have tons of confidence in this project though, wait until the time is right.

 

[Brian G.]

Unless the economy continues to suck and then not just the year. lol

I mean, in the general scheme of things, the economy hasn't changed since they originally announced the year delay - so my line of thinking is the delay already takes what they're talking about into account. We're just getting a more detailed answer today from the CFO. I'm not saying there can't, or won't, be a delay; but pointing out that I don't think its time to start down that line of thinking after today's quotes.

Had we not known about the year delay already, we'd probably be saying 2024 today.

 

[Scott W.]

Epic Universe theme park construction in Orlando won’t resume until the economy bounces back, Comcast official says

Comcast leader give more insight into their decision to stop construction at Epic Universe. It's unknown when construction will start back up again.

www.orlandosentinel.com

Willing to bet we're looking at longer than a year delay, at the very least

[The latest] Orlando convention center to host 30,000 people next month »

This was probably the most shocking thing in that article.

Edit: I’d suggest we take this chat over to the EU side of the forum so we don’t clog up this thread.

 

[Happytycho]

I mean, in the general scheme of things, the economy hasn't changed since they originally announced the year delay - so my line of thinking is the delay already takes what they're talking about into account. We're just getting a more detailed answer today from the CFO. I'm not saying there can't, or won't, be a delay; but pointing out that I don't think its time to start down that line of thinking after today's quotes.

Had we not known about the year delay already, we'd probably be saying 2024 today.

The only person who talked about "a year delay" was Mayor Demings. What Comcast said on the earnings call was:
"We remain very confident that the parks business will generate healthy returns over the long term. Nonetheless, we have decided to pause construction of Orlando's fourth gate or Epic Universe at this early stage while we focus on the immediate challenges that COVID-19 presents..."
and
"We have also delayed construction of the fourth gate in Orlando..."
and
" ... some things getting paused like Epic Universe."

So this really doesn't sound that different - they want to wait until they have decent cash flow again before resuming.
Quotes from Motley Fool

 

[Teebin]

[The latest] Orlando convention center to host 30,000 people next month »

So families are actually coming to Orlando and allow their children to participate in soccer tournaments? Um...

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Quietly more and more Disney Springs locations are announcing reopning dates. Morimoto is reopening the 22nd, Pizza Pointe 22nd, and rumor has it some Disney owned and run locations will open the 27th.

 

[Scott W.]

Quietly more and more Disney Springs locations are announcing reopning dates. Morimoto is reopening the 22nd, Pizza Pointe 22nd, and rumor has it some Disney owned and run locations will open the 27th.

Disney-Owned Shops and Restaurants Reportedly Set to Reopen May 27th at Disney Springs

Walt Disney World news, photos, and reviews! We provide you with daily news from the Walt Disney World theme parks and beyond

blogmickey.com

 

[Teebin]

Security is going to be very busy at both Disney and Universal upholding the mask and distance policies. I don't envy them at all.

 

[Jerroddragon]

So families are actually coming to Orlando and allow their children to participate in soccer tournaments? Um...

Makes sense. Some people really don't believe what is happening is a threat to their lives or health. While I'm all for opening beaches in a few months a contact sport like Soccer makes way less sense to me but sure it's got money tied in, so there you go.

 

[Mad Dog]

A question to those that are Orlando local. Are the popular restaurants and bars around town requiring masks indoors?

 

[Teebin]

A question to those that are Orlando local. Are the popular restaurants and bars around town requiring masks indoors?

I will be shocked if anyone knows from experience, and even so, one cannot drink or eat through a mask! Perhaps it has been reported on local news there whether employees and servers are wearing.

 

[Mad Dog]

I will be shocked if anyone knows from experience! Perhaps it has been reported on local news there.

Oh, I'm sure there's a few here that are pretty frequent customers. Will they admit it though......Although I know Dave @Disneyhead , for one, has been hiding out in his apartment, or at least that's what he say's.

 

[darkridelover]

A question to those that are Orlando local. Are the popular restaurants and bars around town requiring masks indoors?

I went out to eat for the first time the other day to a Chili's. A friend of mine was the manager and invited me out for a meal and even though I'm not comfortable with things opening this early I decided to go. Most tables were covered in tape where you can't sit. Only a quarter of the tables in the restuarant were open. No bar stools either. No condiments on the table you have to ask. If there is a wait they take your phone number down and make you wait in the car. The entire staff is wearing masks at all times. The server holds the plates with paper towels so they don't touch anything. You were brought a new glass for refills. And payment is contactless. Over all the experience was fine but personally I was uncomfortable and won't be going out to eat again for a few more weeks.

 

[Tbad556]

I haven't been personally, but from my understanding and what I've heard from those who have, most places have servers wearing them and customers aren't wearing them.

 

[Mad Dog]

I went out to eat for the first time the other day to a Chili's. A friend of mine was the manager and invited me out for a meal and even though I'm not comfortable with things opening this early I decided to go. Most tables were covered in tape where you can't sit. Only a quarter of the tables in the restuarant were open. No bar stools either. No condiments on the table you have to ask. If there is a wait they take your phone number down and make you wait in the car. The entire staff is wearing masks at all times. The server holds the plates with paper towels so they don't touch anything. You were brought a new glass for refills. And payment is contactless. Over all the experience was fine but personally I was uncomfortable and won't be going out to eat again for a few more weeks.

I haven't been personally, but from my understanding and what I've heard from those who have, most places have servers wearing them and customers aren't wearing them.

Thanks guys. The main reason I asked was to see what Citi Walk's competition was doing, and whether the mask requirement would hurt them if the competition wasn't requiring one.................Myself, I was uncomfortable way back on March 3rd to dining out. Alene was buying me dinner for my birthday, but I said I didn't feel like it was a good idea to eat out with the CV lurking, so we stayed home. That's kind of still my personal opinion.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Garcetti says stay-at-home order is adjustable: 'Do not freak out'

Mayor Eric Garcetti said that while county officials are recommending that the stay-at-home order be extended for the next three months, the order is also flexible.

abc7.com

Very Glad more businesses seem to be able to open up. The order to stay at home for no given time line makes me think at the very least summer.
So while its still anyone's guess I doubt theme parks in the state will open in June at the very least.

 

[Nick]

My point is HAMILTON gets no extra money from it showing on Disney+ And while Disney gets a lot of rights, it's still going to be less than what they would have gotten (And music sales are not counted as income for the film, but for the record division).

Well obviously Hamilton doesn't, but they will get a huge PR boost in a time when Broadway is shutdown. And again, I know that music sales will go through Disney's Hollywood Records label, but it's all going to the same company so i'm confused why it matters? They have multiple avenues to recoup their investment. I also wouldn't be surprised if streaming of the Hamilton OBC is down right now, which means they're making less money in royalties. Hamilton being back in the spotlight will change that.

Garcetti says stay-at-home order is adjustable: 'Do not freak out'

Mayor Eric Garcetti said that while county officials are recommending that the stay-at-home order be extended for the next three months, the order is also flexible.

abc7.com

Very Glad more businesses seem to be able to open up. The order to stay at home for no given time line makes me think at the very least summer.
So while its still anyone's guess I doubt theme parks in the state will open in June at the very least.

They'll probably only just be opening in mid-June here in Florida, never mind Los Angeles where you guys are still under a stay-at-home. And I can't stress enough that Theme Parks will not be opening the second the order is lifted there. They are in Phase 4 of California's reopening. With all of that in mind, I would be expecting August/September at the absolute earliest.

 

[SeventyOne]

[The latest] Orlando convention center to host 30,000 people next month »

This was probably the most shocking thing in that article.

Is it truly feasible to play volleyball while standing 6' apart from your teammates? Are regulation courts that big? Curious to see if this actually comes to pass.

A question to those that are Orlando local. Are the popular restaurants and bars around town requiring masks indoors?

Varies. Actually, not really any bars yet, bar seating is prohibited. But restaurants vary from Celebration Tavern -- with signage asking you to wear your mask to your table -- to a place on Sand Lake that shall remain nameless that is barely enforcing anything. Most seem to encourage wearing a mask to your table, taking it off there.

 

[Nick]

Is it truly feasible to play volleyball while standing 6' apart from your teammates? Are regulation courts that big? Curious to see if this actually comes to pass.

Highly doubtful it happens.

My sister had an AAU tournament scheduled to be played at WWoS next month and they were holding to it until just recently when it got cancelled. This volleyball tournament at the OCCC is also AAU. They are likely being optimistic because they need these tournaments to happen in order to make money (they have to give refunds every time there's a cancelled tournament and they've had a lot lately).

It's also supposed to be a Volleyball Championship Tournament too, meaning teams have to come from all across the country. What about a team that's from a state or local government under lockdown still? Will 30,000 people honestly feel safe flying to Orlando? And on top of that, the parks may not even be open for them to enjoy after coming all the way here. There's no way this happens, imo.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

It's also supposed to be a Volleyball Championship Tournament too

I actually went to this tournament in 2018 for my sister's game. If you've ever been to a volleyball tournament, they pack in courts and people like crazy, so, yeah social distancing ain't happening unless they heavily modify how they lay out courts.

Ironically, attending this tournament was how I indirectly found the forums. Our family hadn't been to Orlando in a decade, so we decided it would be a great opportunity to visit WDW again. We only did a full day at Epcot and a half day at Animal Kingdom, but I think my family and I were a little disappointed (I mean, AK has like six rides and Disneyland has 30, so...). It actually led me to search for Universal information to see if we could sneak an IOA trip in, which led me to these forums.

Funny how the world works.