05/19/2020
Hello My Friends
I know it’s been a while since I last posted an update. To be honest, I’ve been a little under the weather. NO I do not have “the” virus. However, I did have “a” virus. I think a had a case of the “Norovirus”, at least that’s what I thought and my doctor agrees. While not normally fatal, there are moments, if you have it bad enough, when you almost... almost.... wish you were going to. Fortunately, that has “passed”. On that “pleasant” note, since I have regained most of my strength, and it’s time to get back to work.
There are over a dozen Travel Developments which I wish to discuss: Las Vegas, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, the airlines, the cruise industry in general and several lines in particular, etc. etc! So this is going to be a multi-part update. For today, I wish to discuss the situation in Las Vegas and Orlando. Tomorrow, I will deal with several other topics and conclude on Thursday, ok?
Let’s start with Las Vegas. When most of us think of “Las Vegas” we think of the “Strip”, where most of the extremely glamorous resorts/casinos are located. Would it surprise you to learn that the “Strip” is actually outside of the municipal limits of Las Vegas? That’s right, so that has lead to some “confusion” as to who was actually in charge, the mayor or the governor? Regardless, things are slowly starting to open up there. Several restaurants have partially reopened their outdoor areas and more are running delivery/pickup Services. A few shops have opened as will, with strict capacity limits.
To that end, MGM Resorts announced a “phased” opening of some of their properties. MGM owns Thirteen properties on the Strip plus two Golf Courses, so they are a key player there. This week they are reopening “The Bellagio” and “New York, New York”. They are only opening up approximately 25% of each resorts capacity so they can control the influx of guests. (To give you some idea, Bellagio alone has well over 4000 rooms and Suites on property, so that translates to over 1000 rooms and suites available.) if all goes well, they plan to open the “MGM Grand” right around Memorial Day. They hope to be able to open one additional property every week to ten days after that through the end of the year. This will be based on the demand and the then future medical situation. Until further notice, any and all properties will be running on strict “social distancing” guidelines, especially the 25% capacity rule.
On a similar vein, in Orlando, both “Disney Springs” and Universals “City Walk”, have begun slowly opening up. In addition, “Downtown Disney” in California’s Disneyland is also coming back to life. As of now, several “third-party” locations have opened up in each location, plus Disney is opening two of its company owned properties before the end of the week. More “third-party” and company owned businesses will be opening each week thereafter. It is hoped to have all facilities up and running before the year’s end. Sadly, some properties will not be returning. A few, like Ample Hills Ice Cream, have had to file for bankruptcy. What will happen to these locations, is not readily known.
Now, for those who do open, there will be some strict rules in play. For example, at WDW, there will be limited parking available, plus there will be reduced entry points. All guests, employees and third party workers must wear face masks. (Masks May be removed while seated at a table for dinner or lunch.) At each entry point, besides the normal security screenings, there will now be temperature scans being done prior to entry. Anyone who scans at 100.4 degrees or higher, will be asked to step aside to be rescanned. If they still scan at 100.4 or higher, they will then be denied entry. There will be spaced ques for people to wait in before entering any facility. Also, There will be limits as to how many guests can be allowed in at any one time. There will also be extra Hand Sanitizing Stations and hand washing stations scattered throughout the property. And there will be arrows to direct people where/how to walk to prevent jams of people at intersections.
I think this is enough information to absorb for now. Later, this evening I’ll continue with our update.
Until then, we remain,
Your Travel Partners
Cheryl and Tony D’Onofrio
Magic Moments Travel, Inc.
[email protected]
