Photo: Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images
Despite Florida becoming one of COVID-19’s new hot spots, Disney decided to reopen its flagship theme park in Orlando, as you may have seen in the highly haunted video it released to promote it. With more than 4,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths, more than 300,000 cases, and approximately 1 in 100 infected residents statewide, some Disney employees have raised concerns about their safety and require regular testing for employees, prompting the company has not provided so far. Still, many employees feel they have no choice but to return to work amid a global pandemic and economic crisis. The Cut spoke to Kate, * a 31-year-old Disney World employee who works at attractions in Animal Kingdom, about what the mood is like in the new dystopian Disney World.
* *The name has been changed to preserve anonymity..
I’ve mostly been isolated during the pandemic, but Florida took a long time to close things down. And when we first reopened, I thought it was too early, especially with bars and restaurants. I would drive and the places would be full. Florida is just a very strange state.
When I was asked to return to work in early June, the cases did not increase as much. But I live in a small apartment with my boyfriend who has lung problems. He also works at Disney, but is still without permission. We are both trying to be more cautious. I keep my mask on all day and shower as soon as I walk in the door before touching us. If you knew I was infected, I would probably stay in a motel. Now it is difficult when the numbers are increasing so high in the state. I personally try to take all possible precautions, but I know that not everyone is so careful.
You have people who say, “My rights!” That was one of the things he was most nervous about, because the guests were going to be very upset about having to wear a mask and put on attacks. It’s a rule that every guest over the age of 2 has to wear a mask, and most people have been pretty good about it. It has surprised me
On the first day of return, everyone has to go through a new training, where they review the new procedures. They give you special masks, and also a face shield to use if you’re going to be within three feet of someone. We also got a thermometer and safety glasses. And now there is a health questionnaire that you must answer every day when you enter, and then they take your temperature again before entering the park.
My first day back was bittersweet. My favorite activity used to be watching people’s reactions during fireworks shows because you see this mix of people from all backgrounds, all amazed and happy in one place. But now the park has limited capacity (around 25 percent), making it a strange feeling. It was great to see little kids especially, because they are so happy, but you used to be able to hug them, and that’s part of the magic of Disney. Smiling is also a big part of Disney. Now you’re like … “Hello”. There are no hugs at all, they do not touch. It’s kind of sad It’s kind of apocalyptic. It is as if you are in an alternate reality. You are happy to see a sign of normalcy, but you are also nervous.
They have been doing unique things to help maintain the magic. Obviously, meeting and greeting is something really special for many of the kids, so they try to find alternative ways that are safe for them, like having the princesses ride a horse and carriage and say hello as they turn. streets. The children are very excited to be able to see their favorite characters, but it is very difficult for the little ones because they simply do not understand; they try to reach and touch and you say “No, no, no”.
We have to make sure that people stay apart. I have to constantly tell people to put on their masks, like after they have finished drinking and eating, or if the children take off the masks. There are several older people who have returned to work. But I know from our group of Facebook staff that there are some who have chosen not to return because they are concerned. And other people say they don’t think the park should be open due to increasing numbers in Florida, but they also say, “Well, it’s work.” I have mixed feelings about the reopening. Safety should always be a number 1 priority. But I also believe that if every restaurant or bar were as safe as Disney, things would be better. Given all the precautions you take, I feel safer at Disney than at a restaurant. But a lot of what I hear is frustration with [unemployment pay] and obviously worries about money running out and then not being able to get a job.
For starters, I don’t do much and I have to work to live. If you put in $ 600 a week federal unemployment, that’s great, but we don’t know if that will come back after July 31, and in that case you would only be making $ 162 a week from unemployment. I have to pay my bills. I would love to be able to stay home and not put myself at risk. It’s kind of tricky that I’m earning more unemployment right now than working full time, and I have to be suffering in the heat with a mask and a face shield. It should not be like that.
I think this has shed light on how messy the system is. Especially now that people who normally would not have experienced the unemployment system are experiencing it and how flawed it is. The people I know haven’t received their money yet, and it’s been months. I hope this helps people realize that a change is necessary, because many people are likeOh people [who take unemployment] I just don’t want to work. And it’s like, no, sometimes people fall into hard times, and now they’re experiencing how bad the system is and have to deal with it. We don’t have many options about it.
