Downtown Disney Reopening Met With Long Lines Despite Health Concerns
Long lines spilled outside Anaheim's Downtown Disney reopening Thursday way before businesses even opened.
While amusement rides remain closed, several stores and restaurants reopened to customers for the first time since the park closed in mid-March.
Businesses open at 10 a.m., but cars were standing by, and lines spilled down outside the parkway before. Some guests even stayed overnight to come to the reopening, reported local TV station KTLA.
Visitors and workers need to have their temperatures checked before going inside the Downtown Disney district. Anyone over the age of two also needs to wear face masks.
Social distancing measures are also in place in selected locations.
Guests only have limited parking, with only the Simba Parking Lot open to Downtown Disney visitors. There are also clearly defined entrances.
In a report from Deadline, the World of Disney store was mobbed by people taking toys, shirts, and other goodies minutes after opening. The crowd was said to have not followed distancing rules.
Other Disney Parks Re-openings
In Florida, Walt Disney World has already started the reopening process with the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom opening on July 11. Epcot and Hollywood Studios also open again on July 15.
Amid the surge in coronavirus cases in Orange County, Disneyland and California Adventure parks delayed reopening indefinitely.
Unions that represent thousands of Disneyland workers have told time and time again that the parks are not ready to reopen safely, reported CBS Los Angeles.
Reopening Spurred Mixed Emotions Among Workers
The reopening raised both the hopes and concerns of Downtown Disney employees.
Union representative Andrea Zinder said some people are ready to go back to work and look forward to earning again, but many people in the union do not know what to expect when they get back and feel at risk.
Zinder said union leaders are still discussing some issues, NBC Los Angeles reported.
The workers think there are more ways Disney can do to protect them and the guests. Zinder stressed the weight of testing on the Disney premises for employees when they go back for work.
She pointed out that the park has a healthcare facility so the testing would be a "very easy addition."
Workers also demand Disney pay those who are on time off because they have to quarantine after exposure to the virus.
Zinder said the workers would have to pick between pay and safety if Disney does not assist them.
There is also concern about patrons who do not want to wear a face mask. But Zinder remains hopeful that the district's rules will be followed because it is essential in indoor facilities like the World of Disney.
Anaheim spokesman Mike Lyster has a lot of confidence in the opening plans of Disney. He said the procedure laid down by the company is "very solid."
Lyster said they share the concerns regarding reopening in the middle of a pandemic, but Disney thinks it is a good step forward.
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