COVID-19’s Impacts on BGW
- Thread starter WDWRLD
- Start date
FL parks never make any mention of our memberships. We should expect them to work exactly like out of market APs.
95% of staff is still furloughed in Williamsburg. It will take about 3 to 4 weeks to get the park back in shape so I wouldn’t count on June 25th. Once staff start to be recalled that will be the start to the countdown to opening.
I'm curious if they're now going to have to redo any off-season maintenance since things have probably been sitting much longer than intended. For sure they're probably going to have to deep clean everything even if it was already done in March, wouldn't be surprised if there's a fine layer of dust and/or cobwebs and pollen on almost everything by now.
Can we expect the same measures taken in the Water Country USA e-mail that went out just now to apply to BGW?
Just read the safety pages for both BGW and WCUSA. WC says no face masks in the water, which makes sense.
But, while BGW's page doesn't specifically mention face masks for rides, they are not listed as an exception.
Just wondering if face masks flying off people's faces during rides would be more of a hazard than not wearing them at all. Can you imagine getting hit in the face with someone else mask?
But, while BGW's page doesn't specifically mention face masks for rides, they are not listed as an exception.
Just wondering if face masks flying off people's faces during rides would be more of a hazard than not wearing them at all. Can you imagine getting hit in the face with someone else mask?
Can you post the email? I have only see messages from non-Virginia parks.
I think this is why SEAS is selling gaiters. That said, we have seen testing on roller coasters with masks. They are already being required in Tampa on rides, so I wouldn’t expect anything different in Virginia.
I understand the need for a reservation system but I see some problems arising from how it will be accessed and how it will work. We have some friends without internet service at all. Me personally, I have a slow DSL connection. I can see where your reservations are going to be based on how fast you can access the website. I wouldn't mind so much but I'm sure the clock will start ticking for everybody when the park opens. Whether or not you can make reservations or get in will be another matter all together. Not trying to be negative and I'm sure we'll figure something out but I don't think it's going to be a smooth startup. I can't help but think about trying to meet up with other friends and all and trying to coordinate the reservation system so your friends can get in, too.
With the physical distancing rule, do you think they make it so there is only way to walk around the park? Some spaces are pretty narrow and having people walking both directions would make it impossible to stay 6 feet apart.
I expect bidirectional flow on all major pathways. The path widening projects from a couple years back have really helped in some of the narrower areas.
Genuine question, what about all the super narrow paths that are still left? The New France bridge, Threadneedle Bridge, and covered walkway between Banbury and Heatherdowns come to mind. Those places are tight even on fairly empty days.
I agree that supply of reservation slots/demand will be a very important dynamic going forward. Perhaps with people still worried about covid plus the thought of having to wear a mask in such heat will make reservations somewhat easy to get. Or, the mass desire to get out and do something will lead to extreme difficulty getting a reservation.
If reservations are hard to get, will they rations visits?
The reservation language for BGT has been updated to indicate that a certain amount of spots are set aside for passes, fun cards, etc. Also of note, tickets for specific dates DO NOT need reservations.
Just got another email from BGT saying our fun cards is being extended by number of days closed less blackout dates, as blackout dates are being lifted. Likely BGW and WCUSA will do the same.
I just did some very crude Google Earth measurements and I think the bridges are all fine. Threadneedle’s bridge seems to be the narrowest at 12 feet wide. With six feet of “dead space” in the middle, that allows three feet of single-file walking space on each side of the bridge.
Doing that quick path width survey exposed some real issues though. The tightest choke points seem to be Rhinefeld’s gate and Killarney’s two entrance archways. Those are all probably addressable with temporary partitions, but they are certainly an issue nonetheless.
The area I’m most concerned about now though is the path around Il Teatro di San Marco. That’s a lengthy section of path and, by my measurements, it narrows down to 10 feet wide at some points. Maybe that will be “close enough” to not justify a bunch of work? Maybe they’ll route one direction through the theater? How does that work with wheelchair accessibility? It’s an interesting question for sure.
That’s way harder for BGW because of our upcharge Christmas Town. Will be very interesting to see how they opt to handle that.
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Perhaps this is opportunistic thinking on my part, but now would be a great time to renovate Festa so that it is no longer a dead end (and maybe do a bit of updating to the area as well). This way, there would be less people walking past each other to leave that area. Is this a rather lame reason? Possibly. But like I said, opportunistic thinking.
That WAS the guidance, but their website now emphasizes 6 feet as face masks are not a substitute...
COVID-19 and Your Health
Symptoms, testing, what to do if sick, daily activities, and more.
www.cdc.gov
"Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing."