Disney World theme parks are closing

[WDWdriver]

Disney has announced the temporary closure of its Walt Disney World theme parks.

"In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort, beginning at the close of business on Sunday, March 15, through the end of the month," a Disney spokesperson said in a statement.

Disney resort hotels and Disney Springs will remain open for now.

Disney Cruise Line is also suspending operations through the end of the month.

[jennsky]

The parks have never been closed this many days EVER since they opened. Do you think they will use this time to refurbish things they don't normally get the opportunity to? With the parks shut down, I wonder if they can get a lot more off-hours work done. I don't know...trying to be "glass half full" and see an upside to all of this.

[texas211]

The parks have never been closed this many days EVER since they opened. Do you think they will use this time to refurbish things they don't normally get the opportunity to? With the parks shut down, I wonder if they can get a lot more off-hours work done. I don't know...trying to be "glass half full" and see an upside to all of this.

No, looks like they are thinning staff, etc. The World will be dormant.

[magicofdisney]

I read on Twitter (don't have a link) that they will be doing more maintenance, etc. IF this true, the thinning staff probably has more to do with those that only directly dealt with customer service.

[texas211]

I hope. I'd hate for their staff to lose their jobs. They'll have a lot of time to work on the parks. Might be several months before they are brought back online. Maybe they can fix the yeti.. :) j/k

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

maybe they can fix the yeti..

That's the first thing I thought of too! :) :yeti:

[PopPhan]

That's the first thing I thought of too! :) :yeti:

As nice as that would be, to do so would take years rather than months. They need to disassemble most of the structure to get to the base for the yeti, make the necessary corrections (if possible) then reassemble the whole thing. I am not sure this will EVER be done. Sorry!

[JPPT1974]

Just hope that a virus like this we never have to go through again. As life is now put on hold. Feel for those working in the Disney resorts.

[dnickels]

For what it's worth -since I saw a few people mention the possibility of Disney catching up on maintenance during this time.

I have a friend who is an electrician and the company he works for does a ton of work for Disney. He thought the same thing but today they were told that they're all getting laid off and Disney isn't going to have them doing any work during the shutdown. Looks like Disney is in full pull-back mode right now, not fix-it while the guests are gone mode.

[magicofdisney]

That's interesting to hear. I wonder, though, if it's primarily third-party vendors that are not being utilized. I have neighbors next door that work as electrician for Disney directly. I'll check with them to see their status. Although, I just looked out the window and both their vehicles are in their driveway. :(

[PopPhan]

Orlando Business Journal has reported that ALL construction within the confines of Walt Disney World has been curtailed at this time.


According to the Orlando Business Journal, Mark Wylie, president and CEO of Central Florida chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors Inc., has stated that Disney “has shuttered construction operations at Disney World.”

[goofyskier]

The whole point of these closing and social distancing is to get people to stay home not to allow Disney to continue construction and repair work. With that said the best way to do this is to stop all work and keep the workers home.

[magicofdisney]

I agree that social distancing is essential, but where do we draw the line? I understand that Disney isn't a necessity in life. I'm not arguing that point at all. I'm just wondering where, as a society, do we determine who gets to work and who doesn't. My daughter works for Publix and she (gets to? has to?) works during this time.

[texas211]

They aren't doing anything. Laying of staff, etc. This is going to be a long haul shutdown, they are hemorrhaging money like everyone else. No cruises, etc. They know the books this year are going to be bad. Save as much as possible. I'd love to see a video where a gator gets loose and is walking down mainstreet.

[magicofdisney]

They aren't doing anything. Laying of staff, etc. This is going to be a long haul shutdown, they are hemorrhaging money like everyone else. No cruises, etc. They know the books this year are going to be bad. Save as much as possible. I'd love to see a video where a gator gets loose and is walking down mainstreet.
I know, it's horrible how this has hit our economy. When the shutdowns first began, I was optimistically hoping it truly would be for only a couple of weeks. I know better now. :(

[texas211]

I know, it's horrible how this has hit our economy. When the shutdowns first began, I was optimistically hoping it truly would be for only a couple of weeks. I know better now. :(

When they started taking radical stances like killing the economy, I knew this was not going to be a short thing. The financial ruin will probably kill more people than corona.

On the upside, still holding out for the gator down mainstreet.

[azcavalier]

Yep, this is going to be a long haul. We've had this discussion at home, about the value of lives vs. the value of the economy. Some people have said that we shouldn't be killing the economy to "keep Grandma alive". But I pointed out that it's not just Grandma that we're trying to keep alive. It's my friend, Derick, who is recovering from his year-long cancer fight who has four children under the age of 9. It's my friend, Chris, who was diagnosed with MS last year and whose meds make him immunosuppressed. He runs a company and has two teenage children. That's who i'm trying to save. I'll stay home for six months if it means that they'll get to live to raise and provide for their families.

And to maybe go on vacation with them to Walt Disney World!

[Cinderelley]

about the value of lives vs. the value of the economy. But I pointed out that it's not just Grandma that we're trying to keep alive. It's my friend, Derick, who is recovering from his year-long cancer fight who has four children under the age of 9. It's my friend, Chris, who was diagnosed with MS last year and whose meds make him immunosuppressed. He runs a company and has two teenage children. That's who i'm trying to save. I'll stay home for six months if it means that they'll get to live to raise and provide for their families.

And to maybe go on vacation with them to Walt Disney World!

It seems like it is an easy choice, but it isn't. What if Chris' company tanks and he can no longer afford his medications? What if Derick's cancer returns and he and his wife don't have a job with insurance to pay for treatment? It's a lot more convoluted that it seems at first glance. While I applaud the people who are willing and able to make sacrifices for the health of others, I understand that some people have no choice but to work to support their families and most of those people need customers.

[azcavalier]

It seems like it is an easy choice, but it isn't. What if Chris' company tanks and he can no longer afford his medications? What if Derick's cancer returns and he and his wife don't have a job with insurance to pay for treatment? It's a lot more convoluted that it seems at first glance. While I applaud the people who are willing and able to make sacrifices for the health of others, I understand that some people have no choice but to work to support their families and most of those people need customers.

No doubt. And there is no good answer. I'm not particularly worried about these two guys' employment because of their industries and client bases. But that's not the case for everyone.

[Park Hopper]

No doubt. And there is no good answer. I'm not particularly worried about these two guys' employment because of their industries and client bases. But that's not the case for everyone.

Wow, it is refreshing to see an adult exchange/conversation on this topic. The other Disney board that I look at is incapable of this kind of exchange without blame, name-calling, and general melt-down!

[azcavalier]

Wow, it is refreshing to see an adult exchange/conversation on this topic. The other Disney board that I look at is incapable of this kind of exchange without blame, name-calling, and general melt-down!

Yeah, well, a long time ago I realized that what is really important in this life is our relationships with others. And melting down (or name-calling) doesn't help at all. Can't have a discussion when communication breaks down.

[texas211]

Wow, it is refreshing to see an adult exchange/conversation on this topic. The other Disney board that I look at is incapable of this kind of exchange without blame, name-calling, and general melt-down!

It is.

And I do feel bad for the minority of people that do have immune issues (for whatever reasons, conditions, age, etc). But, I'm concerned about my mortgage, and the mortgage/rent/food on the table for those that need money and can't sit around not working for 6 months or longer. I've lived in places where money is scare, and, yeah, a virus is dangerous. So are desperate and hopeless people. Way more dangerous. So that's why to me, it is a numbers game. The needs of the many vs the few. But, I do hope those are affected by the virus (rather hoping to avoid it) are able to do so.

And like I said, I want my gator walking down mainstreet. Or, Hollywood blvd towards Manns.

[joonyer]

For those who have studied economics, we know that there not only cost of doing something (taking action), but also a cost of not doing something (inaction). Many times, the cost of inaction can be greater than taking action, but they are usually not readily evident until after the fact. If asked, most people will usually say that saving lives is worth almost any cost of taking action to do so, but that is not actually the case.

For instance, if we wanted to save 25,000 lives a year of people who die in auto accidents, we could easily prevent almost all those deaths by reducing speed limits and strictly enforcing them down to say 25 mph or so. Yet we choose not to do so. Why? It appears that inconvenience of increased travel times and the direct costs of strict highway law enforcement are just not worth saving those lives. That sounds so harsh. Yet our culture makes significant risk and cost benefit decisions like this all the time. In the U.S. alone, more than 34,000 people died from influenza during the 2018-19 flu season. Yet there were no draconian measures imposed to reduce those deaths. Ask yourselves why.

So far in the U.S., there have been 787 deaths attributed to COVID-19. I agree that saving as many live as possible is a desirable goal. I question why our society largely ignores the risk or cause of many other illnesses or activities that cause vast numbers of deaths. I would suggest that the answer lies in economic reasons.

I fear getting sick from COVID-19. My wife is at very high risk of death if she gets it because she suffers from a chronic auto immune disorder and takes medication that severely compromises her immune system. I am going to try to protect her no matter what it takes fro me to do. But when all of this is over and behind us, I fear the economic costs of our response to this threat will be many times greater than the medical results. Many thousands may die. Tens of millions of people are going to lose their jobs and livelihood, although they will survive. I am not suggesting that we should not respond to the COVID-19 threat. But there is a reason that we as a culture/society don't react this way to the massive loss of life due to other reasons. Something to think about.

[azcavalier]

Something to think about.

Oh, definitely something to think about. My wife is a surgeon, and before COVID-19 was even a twinkle in our eye we have had this discussion. She has seen so many patients that come in with such complications, related to age/poor health, and they are clearly suffering and the quality of life is (and will be after) terrible. But the family wants *everything possible* done to keep them alive. They'd rather rack up tens of thousands of dollars in hospital bills to keep 85-year old, demented Grandma alive indefinitely with machine-assistance than just let her go peacefully. Is it worth it?

Now, we're talking about hospitals having to decide who gets a ventilator and who doesn't. It's going to come down to survivability, which will include age, co-morbidity factors (health issues), etc.

Religiously, all life has value. We'd like to see everyone be healed. Every life's value is immeasurable. But economically/socially, that is a terrible choice.

[goofyskier]

Oh, definitely something to think about. My wife is a surgeon, and before COVID-19 was even a twinkle in our eye we have had this discussion. She has seen so many patients that come in with such complications, related to age/poor health, and they are clearly suffering and the quality of life is (and will be after) terrible. But the family wants *everything possible* done to keep them alive. They'd rather rack up tens of thousands of dollars in hospital bills to keep 85-year old, demented Grandma alive indefinitely with machine-assistance than just let her go peacefully. Is it worth it?

Now, we're talking about hospitals having to decide who gets a ventilator and who doesn't. It's going to come down to survivability, which will include age, co-morbidity factors (health issues), etc.

Religiously, all life has value. We'd like to see everyone be healed. Every life's value is immeasurable. But economically/socially, that is a terrible choice.

That’s why economics should never play a part in a very personal decision. My wife is also in healthcare and bothers her when someone wants everything done knowing the effects CPR will have on a 90 year old patient. But....If a person or their family wants to rack up the debit let them make that choice.

In this case though it won’t be a choice for families to make due to lack of equipment and staffing unless we collectively make an effort to stop the spread which in turn has consequences on our economy. It is also not a choice to get this virus by most people (South Korean cults excluded). While I sympathize with people and their monthly bills...it is secondary to saving lives at this time.

We’ve gone through tough times before (1918, WW1, Great Depression, WW2, Korean War, Vietnam, 1987 crash, tech bust, 9/11, and the Great Recession to name a few) and came through okay and will do so again....after we beat this virus.

[TheVBs]

Actually, during the 1918 flu pandemic, some cities did enforce social distancing and shut downs. There's a great, recent article on it you can google. The cities that took action saw far fewer deaths. The cities that didn't had their hospitals overwhelmed.

I think that's what people are often missing here, we're trying to make sure our hospitals don't get overwhelmed. That impacts everyone who needs them, not just those who are high risk for this virus. We can't have our health system in crisis right now. I could be wrong, but my impression is that there's not really the expectation to eliminate this virus before it spreads, just to slow it so that it can be managed and to give the opportunity to save more lives.

I agree that economically shutting down is incredibly frightening and is it's own crisis. Hopefully one that we can manage as well. We live in a small town filled with small businesses owned by local people. I worry about them the most.

And in terms of other things that take lives, we do take them seriously. We may not have 25mph speed limits everywhere, but we have safety regulations on cars and highways to mitigate. The flu kills people every year. That's why there's a vaccine. That's why every year, health professionals work very hard to convince people to get the vaccine. It's a false impression that other dangers aren't taken seriously, and definitely not any kind of reasoning for not trying to mitigate this danger.

[goofyskier]

Actually, during the 1918 flu pandemic, some cities did enforce social distancing and shut downs. There's a great, recent article on it you can google. The cities that took action saw far fewer deaths. The cities that didn't had their hospitals overwhelmed.

I think that's what people are often missing here, we're trying to make sure our hospitals don't get overwhelmed. That impacts everyone who needs them, not just those who are high risk for this virus. We can't have our health system in crisis right now. I could be wrong, but my impression is that there's not really the expectation to eliminate this virus before it spreads, just to slow it so that it can be managed and to give the opportunity to save more lives.

I agree that economically shutting down is incredibly frightening and is it's own crisis. Hopefully one that we can manage as well. We live in a small town filled with small businesses owned by local people. I worry about them the most.

And in terms of other things that take lives, we do take them seriously. We may not have 25mph speed limits everywhere, but we have safety regulations on cars and highways to mitigate. The flu kills people every year. That's why there's a vaccine. That's why every year, health professionals work very hard to convince people to get the vaccine. It's a false impression that other dangers aren't taken seriously, and definitely not any kind of reasoning for not trying to mitigate this danger.

I read the same article. It compared Philadelphia and Saint Louis and the difference in response. Philly allowed a parade to go on as planned and some short time later had a huge influx of individuals overwhelm the hospital system and had a much higher mortality rate overall than Saint Louis. It proved 100 years ago that this Social Distancing works.

[Cinderelley]

Wow, it is refreshing to see an adult exchange/conversation on this topic. The other Disney board that I look at is incapable of this kind of exchange without blame, name-calling, and general melt-down!

I really give a lot of kudos to the moderators on here. They keep it as a very pleasant place to visit. I don't look at any other discussion boards.

[1DisneyNut]

I read the same article. It compared Philadelphia and Saint Louis and the difference in response. Philly allowed a parade to go on as planned and some short time later had a huge influx of individuals overwhelm the hospital system and had a much higher mortality rate overall than Saint Louis. It proved 100 years ago that this Social Distancing works.

NPR news did a piece on this the other morning. It was very interesting to hear. You can probably go to their website and listen to it if anyone is interested.

[magicofdisney]

Here's a minor case in point, somewhat relevant.

Over night my adult daughter woke up in a frenzied panic because something crawled in her ear. I know this sounds seriously insignificant, but she was having a panic attack and wouldn't let anyone touch her. At any other time we may have rushed her to an ER (again, I realize this isn't a life threatening situation), hoping that at least a medical professional could talk her down. However, I had to remind her that NOW is not the time to go to the ER unless it's life or death because you don't want to risk exposure.

My sympathies are completely split. On the one hand, I have a daughter out of a job because of this. She's extremely fortunate that she lives at home and can depend on us for now. But what about those that have no one and no where to turn?

Look, I'm an introvert. I was a fan of social distancing, long before that term was trending. In fact, this is an introvert's utopia right now. Clearly it's not a struggle for me to do my part. Not everyone was made that way, certainly our economy wasn't meant to exist in that bubble. And since this is an unparalleled situation in our current society, we're going to make mistakes and people will pay the consequences.

[joonyer]

Good discussion here.
Somebody told me yesterday; "We need to stick together by staying apart as much as possible".
:sadwave:

[texas211]

Here's a minor case in point, somewhat relevant.

Over night my adult daughter woke up in a frenzied panic because something crawled in her ear. I know this sounds seriously insignificant, but she was having a panic attack and wouldn't let anyone touch her. At any other time we may have rushed her to an ER (again, I realize this isn't a life threatening situation), hoping that at least a medical professional could talk her down. However, I had to remind her that NOW is not the time to go to the ER unless it's life or death because you don't want to risk exposure.

My sympathies are completely split. On the one hand, I have a daughter out of a job because of this. She's extremely fortunate that she lives at home and can depend on us for now. But what about those that have no one and no where to turn?

Look, I'm an introvert. I was a fan of social distancing, long before that term was trending. In fact, this is an introvert's utopia right now. Clearly it's not a struggle for me to do my part. Not everyone was made that way, certainly our economy wasn't meant to exist in that bubble. And since this is an unparalleled situation in our current society, we're going to make mistakes and people will pay the consequences.

Okay, to be fair.. Yes something crawling in your ear is the stuff nightmares are made of. Some real Wrath of Khan thing there. May I ask, what was it?

But on this note, I wouldn't burn the house down to prevent it from happening again... okay, I might consider it.

[TheVBs]

I really give a lot of kudos to the moderators on here. They keep it as a very pleasant place to visit. I don't look at any other discussion boards.

I was totally spoiled to have found this forum first. When I did go out and look at other Disney discussion boards, I quickly backed away and stuck with Intercot.

[TheVBs]

Here's a minor case in point, somewhat relevant.

Over night my adult daughter woke up in a frenzied panic because something crawled in her ear. I know this sounds seriously insignificant, but she was having a panic attack and wouldn't let anyone touch her. At any other time we may have rushed her to an ER (again, I realize this isn't a life threatening situation), hoping that at least a medical professional could talk her down. However, I had to remind her that NOW is not the time to go to the ER unless it's life or death because you don't want to risk exposure.

My sympathies are completely split. On the one hand, I have a daughter out of a job because of this. She's extremely fortunate that she lives at home and can depend on us for now. But what about those that have no one and no where to turn?

Look, I'm an introvert. I was a fan of social distancing, long before that term was trending. In fact, this is an introvert's utopia right now. Clearly it's not a struggle for me to do my part. Not everyone was made that way, certainly our economy wasn't meant to exist in that bubble. And since this is an unparalleled situation in our current society, we're going to make mistakes and people will pay the consequences.

Oh man!! I'm so sorry you guys went through this. Totally get the ER dilemma. What did you end up doing? Is she okay?

[Cinderelley]

Okay, to be fair.. Yes something crawling in your ear is the stuff nightmares are made of. Some real Wrath of Khan thing there. May I ask, what was it?

But on this note, I wouldn't burn the house down to prevent it from happening again... okay, I might consider it.

If it was a spider, I'm grabbing the flamethrower!

[Cinderelley]

I was totally spoiled to have found this forum first. When I did go out and look at other Disney discussion boards, I quickly backed away and stuck with Intercot.

Me too

[magicofdisney]

Guys, I have no idea what it was. First we put olive oil in the ear hoping to drawn the vermin. Once she stopped hearing and feeling any movement, we switched to peroxide, hoping to bubble it out. Nothing came out. :confused:

I have an otoscope I bought when my kids were little because two of them were constantly getting ear infections. I probed as best I could and never saw anything. Anatomically speaking, there's an area in the ear I can't see with my scope, so maybe the carcass is stuck there.

[texas211]

If it was a spider, I'm grabbing the flamethrower!

Why it is good to have one.

[TheVBs]

Guys, I have no idea what it was. First we put olive oil in the ear hoping to drawn the vermin. Once she stopped hearing and feeling any movement, we switched to peroxide, hoping to bubble it out. Nothing came out. :confused:

I have an otoscope I bought when my kids were little because two of them were constantly getting ear infections. I probed as best I could and never saw anything. Anatomically speaking, there's an area in the ear I can't see with my scope, so maybe the carcass is stuck there.

Oh my goodness. How is she holding up? I would still be freaking out. Having something in my ear, dead or alive, would be totally unacceptable. Do you plan on trying to get her in to the doctor? Or waiting? And, honestly, I don't have any problem with bugs or spiders at all. I'm happy to scoop them up and pop them outside. But climbing into someone's ear is like violating a treaty.

[magicofdisney]

We're still trying home remedies. She's seems to be doing fine. She and her boyfriend worked on drainage again last night (that sounds so weird me talking about ear drainage :ack:). I'm going to take another look with my otoscope just to see if I see anything. Honestly, there's no telling how big or little this bug was. I'm sure nearly any size bug is going to sound HUGE if it's flapping and flopping on top of your eardrum.

I have to laugh at your treaty comment. That is too funny. :D

[Cinderelley]

But climbing into someone's ear is like violating a treaty.


:funny:

[TheVBs]

We're still trying home remedies. She's seems to be doing fine. She and her boyfriend worked on drainage again last night (that sounds so weird me talking about ear drainage :ack:). I'm going to take another look with my otoscope just to see if I see anything. Honestly, there's no telling how big or little this bug was. I'm sure nearly any size bug is going to sound HUGE if it's flapping and flopping on top of your eardrum.

I have to laugh at your treaty comment. That is too funny. :D

I'm so glad she's doing fine!

Honestly, that's how I feel. I'm happy to live and let live, just don't cross the line - like eating my food or climbing in my ear. :blush:

[magicofdisney]

Back to the thread topic. :)

I don't know if anyone here uses the app Nextdoor. It's like FaceBook for neighborhoods. I live just a few miles away from the parks. There are TONS of Disney fans in the neighborhood. When Disney announced its closing, someone posted a link to the article. Soon, many of us fans began responding. One of the ladies who responded said she follows many Disney message boards online and through FaceBook. She said there is one group in particular where many went to Disney on that last weekend as a last "Hoorah". They're all now testing positive for the virus.

Of course this is hearsay, so take it as you may. But, I can't help but wonder if there will be repercussion from this. People have attacked Disney for much less.

[Cinderelley]

Back to the thread topic. :)

I don't know if anyone here uses the app Nextdoor. It's like FaceBook for neighborhoods. I live just a few miles away from the parks. There are TONS of Disney fans in the neighborhood. When Disney announced its closing, someone posted a link to the article. Soon, many of us fans began responding. One of the ladies who responded said she follows many Disney message boards online and through FaceBook. She said there is one group in particular where many went to Disney on that last weekend as a last "Hoorah". They're all now testing positive for the virus.

Of course this is hearsay, so take it as you may. But, I can't help but wonder if there will be repercussion from this. People have attacked Disney for much less.

I would hope not. It was their personal decision, but with the craziness in this world, who knows.

[joanna71985]

Back to the thread topic. :)

I don't know if anyone here uses the app Nextdoor. It's like FaceBook for neighborhoods. I live just a few miles away from the parks. There are TONS of Disney fans in the neighborhood. When Disney announced its closing, someone posted a link to the article. Soon, many of us fans began responding. One of the ladies who responded said she follows many Disney message boards online and through FaceBook. She said there is one group in particular where many went to Disney on that last weekend as a last "Hoorah". They're all now testing positive for the virus.

Of course this is hearsay, so take it as you may. But, I can't help but wonder if there will be repercussion from this. People have attacked Disney for much less.

I was there the last day and was fine

[magicofdisney]

I was there the last day and was fine
I'm sure there are thousands that are fine. I'm just sharing someone else's personal hearsay story. :D

[texas211]

Besides, there would be no proof that they were infected there. Impossible to know

[goofyskier]

Besides, there would be no proof that they were infected there. Impossible to know

Not really impossible but difficult to trace. If you have a large cluster of people from different parts of the nation and the one commonality is they were all at Disneyworld on that day and in a similar time frame; you could point to the infection spreading from there. The difficulty now is there are so many cases that a lot of Local and State governments are beyond tracing and just saying it’s everywhere.

[ThanxForNoticin]

Besides, there would be no proof that they were infected there. Impossible to know

Agreed. What's the cause and effect? If the story is true and they all had it, is it because they were together at WDW? If they're friends, what other common events did they share where they could have picked it up? Maybe one of them picked it up somewhere, and then shared it with the friends.

Since we were there at WDW that final weekend before closing, I don't like to hear stories of people who were contagious walking around the parks - but we knew in mid-March, the risk was getting greater every day. Looking back, we probably should have left sooner than we did - but the week before WDW closed was unprecedented with how quickly things were changing.

[magicofdisney]

Agreed. What's the cause and effect? If the story is true and they all had it, is it because they were together at WDW? If they're friends, what other common events did they share where they could have picked it up? Maybe one of them picked it up somewhere, and then shared it with the friends.

Since we were there at WDW that final weekend before closing, I don't like to hear stories of people who were contagious walking around the parks - but we knew in mid-March, the risk was getting greater every day. Looking back, we probably should have left sooner than we did - but the week before WDW closed was unprecedented with how quickly things were changing.
Yep. At the beginning of that week I thought they "might" close. By the end, I suspected the closure would be much longer than a couple of weeks.

[texas211]

Not really impossible but difficult to trace. If you have a large cluster of people from different parts of the nation and the one commonality is they were all at Disneyworld on that day and in a similar time frame; you could point to the infection spreading from there. The difficulty now is there are so many cases that a lot of Local and State governments are beyond tracing and just saying it’s everywhere.

They could have gotten it from the airport, or other people, you would never know, and couldn't prove it was directly disney. Likely, sure. But prove it was directly them. Nope.

[magicofdisney]

I'm watching a YouTube video and the guy is reading a letter sent out to all Disney employees. It's primarily regarding the new pay structure and in that letter is states Bob Iger is forgoing 100% of his salary at this time. That's very admirable, to say the least.

[RunDMV]

I'm watching a YouTube video and the guy is reading a letter sent out to all Disney employees. It's primarily regarding the new pay structure and in that letter is states Bob Iger is forgoing 100% of his salary at this time. That's very admirable, to say the least.

That depends how he defines, "Salary." And, "at this time." These people don't make it to the top cuz they are nice. There is a self-serving deal behind each decision.

[magicofdisney]

That depends how he defines, "Salary." And, "at this time." These people don't make it to the top cuz they are nice. There is a self-serving deal behind each decision.
I didn't feel a need to nitpick at his generosity. I did read that "at this time" at least means the remainder of 2020.

[goofyskier]

I didn't feel a need to nitpick at his generosity. I did read that "at this time" at least means the remainder of 2020.

Yes but in the interest of full disclosure (which Disney did not do in the press release or email) his salary is only a small portion of his total compensation. And he’s not donating his salary to a charitable cause. He is forgoing it to help the multi billion dollar company.

It’s hard for me to relate to this and have a positive spin on it since I’m 43 And haven’t made over 50 million a year in 43 years. Unlike Mr Iger who has.

[RunDMV]

I didn't feel a need to nitpick at his generosity. I did read that "at this time" at least means the remainder of 2020.

Nitpicking. That's funny. He wont lose a pennt.

[magicofdisney]

You guys got me. I'm such a loser for trying to see a little light in the darkness. :confused:

[PopPhan]

You guys got me. I'm such a loser for trying to see a little light in the darkness. :confused:

I think RunDMV and goofyskier need a Snickers!! LOL

[1DisneyNut]

I read the press release and said "pffft" as well. As already mentioned, the "salary" he is forgoing is a very small portion of his actual compensation. He is still gladly accepting the bulk of the millions. Everyone needs to accept this for what it is......just a PR move which is typical in the big corporate world. Now, I would have been impressed had he said I am forgoing my compensation package during this crisis.

[azcavalier]

I read the press release and said "pffft" as well. As already mentioned, the "salary" he is forgoing is a very small portion of his actual compensation. He is still gladly accepting the bulk of the millions. Everyone needs to accept this for what it is......just a PR move which is typical in the big corporate world. Now, I would have been impressed had he said I am forgoing my compensation package during this crisis.

Yes, but it's still not nothing. He didn't have to do what he did. It's still a nice gesture that will help people who work for the company and make far, far less.

[RunDMV]

You guys got me. I'm such a loser for trying to see a little light in the darkness. :confused:

Strawman alert.

[RunDMV]

Yes, but it's still not nothing. He didn't have to do what he did. It's still a nice gesture that will help people who work for the company and make far, far less.

And line level employees get nothing. "Giving up" a couple of hundred thousand in salary is nothing when he is still getting tens of millions in stocks and other options.

For crying out loud, last year he pulled in $47 million in compensation.

[magicofdisney]

Strawman alert.
Why are you being such a jerk? We get it, you're unhappy. I don't need to defend Iger's position or motive. Just because we don't agree with his tactics, doesn't mean you have the right to slam me. I was simply relaying information and I don't have to apologize for not being ****** off because he didn't do more. You don't know me, so lay off.

[TheVBs]

Yes, but it's still not nothing. He didn't have to do what he did. It's still a nice gesture that will help people who work for the company and make far, far less.

But will it be helping those people? What I'd really like to hear is that they're taking care of their most vulnerable employees. Do they get to keep their medical coverage? Are they getting help with bills, rent, etc.? I'm not dismissing his gesture, but it's going to have very little impact on him. If they show that it's genuinely going to support their most vulnerable employees, that will get a big thumbs up from me.

[Cinderelley]

Didn't he give up his position? How is he getting a salary? Sorry I'm a little behind the times here.

I noticed that the website now says they are closed "indefinitely". Yeah, I was just looking stuff up on the website to plan a trip that probably won't happen. A girl can dream though.

[RunDMV]

Why are you being such a jerk? We get it, you're unhappy. I don't need to defend Iger's position or motive. Just because we don't agree with his tactics, doesn't mean you have the right to slam me. I was simply relaying information and I don't have to apologize for not being ****** off because he didn't do more. You don't know me, so lay off.

Irony alert. Calling someone "a jerk" isn't exactly being nice.

[goofyskier]

I think RunDMV and goofyskier need a Snickers!! LOL

Sadly.....the grocery store is out of that also. My choice was either a peanut on the floor or a Watchamacalit. I chose the peanut. Lol

[magicofdisney]

straw man | ˌstrô ˈman |
noun
1 an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument: her familiar procedure of creating a straw man by exaggerating their approach | [as modifier] : you are constructing a straw man argument.
2 a person regarded as having no substance or integrity: a photogenic straw man gets inserted into office and advisers dictate policy.

1--There's absolutely no basis for this comment.


Strawman alert.

2--Anyone with any sense about them knows this was meant as a derogatory comment, which thereby...

3--...negates this comment.


Irony alert. Calling someone "a jerk" isn't exactly being nice.

[azcavalier]

And line level employees get nothing. "Giving up" a couple of hundred thousand in salary is nothing when he is still getting tens of millions in stocks and other options.

For crying out loud, last year he pulled in $47 million in compensation.

Do we know that the line level employees get nothing? Did they lay them off? I haven't heard that. So, if they still have jobs, that's definitely something.

And you're understating their salaries a bit. Iger's base is at *least* $3 million. Chapek and others are getting a reduction in salary, which also totals millions back to the company to pay salary for the lower line employees.

No, none of those donating salary or taking reductions will have any problem "paying the rent", so to speak. But we also don't know what else they're doing with their money. We do know that the Iger's have also donated at least another $500,000 to the city of Los Angeles in the fight against COVID-19. There may be other donations, but his is just the highest profile. They do not have to report or make public what they choose to do with it and to whom they donate. But when it IS public, it puts pressure on other wealthy people to do something similar. And it all adds up. It definitely takes a certain kind of person to become that kind of wealthy, and it rankles many that we have people that wealthy. But I don't begrudge them their wealth. I've known some *very* wealthy people, and I've seen them do a lot of good with that wealth.

[azcavalier]

One more thing, for clarification after reading a NY Times article this morning on Bob Iger stepping in to basically run the company again during this pandemic. It did say that they had furloughed a LOT of workers, and that this week will be their last paycheck for a while, but that they all keep their benefits. So, that stinks, but it's also good that they're not laid-off so that they still have healthcare.

I have NO IDEA how much money it takes to run a company the size and complexity of Disney. At one point I tried to calculate how much it must cost to run Walt Disney World when it was running normally, accounting for salaries of employees, utility costs, taxes, repair and maintenance, development, supplies, fuel, food, etc. It's staggering. And even though they're now not having to pay for some of that, they still have a lot that they'll have to pay, and with no revenue coming in (from certain divisions), it only makes sense that Iger's and other's salaries be cut and/or donated to offset that.

The theme park division is currently shut down. That was something like 30% of company revenue.

The cruise lines are shut down. No idea how much they brought in.

The tv/video production is currently shut down. No new movies are being released (other than what looks to be a terrible adaptation of Artemis Fowl, on Disney+).

ESPN has no live sports to show, so they've literally been reduced to showing a H.O.R.S.E. competition between former and current NBA/WNBA players. Seriously. And they're filming it on people's iPads and cell phones, with kids manning those devices. ESPN's revenues are way down.

If it weren't for Disney+, I'm not sure that Disney would be making much of anything right now. It looks like they got in at just the perfect time.

And all of these things that are shut down still have bills to pay, including employee benefits.

Anyway, the last two posts are just long-winded ways to say that it's easy to tear-down Iger and others for what to some looks like a meaningless gesture. But I think that those takes are somewhat ignorant when you really look at the money that it takes to actually run and maintain a company, especially during troubled times like these.

[ThanxForNoticin]

I think the true irony alert for this post was when it was posted back on page 2 how nice it was that folks could have an adult conversation and exchange of opinions without resorting to so much negativity.

I'll just say some people make it sound like Iger stole this money or got it by devious means. But he's in charge of a multi-billion dollar company, and did it very successfully. He's made lot of people money, from stock holders to park greeters. You might not like how much he makes, but he's earned it. This is an iconic international company and brand, and Iger made/approved decisions that had things running very well up until the pandemic - and no one really could've planned for that.

[azcavalier]

Didn't he give up his position? How is he getting a salary? Sorry I'm a little behind the times here.

He stepped down as CEO, but they kept him on as Executive Director for the duration of his contract, I believe? It was designed to be a transition period. Bob Chapek has never run a company like this directly, so Iger is still there to help guide him. However, during this pandemic, Iger has basically stepped back in, even though he hasn't reclaimed the CEO title.

[MNNHFLTX]

A reminder to all in this thread to keep discussion civil—no insults allowed (directly or implied) per our rules. I know these are stressful times, but now more than ever we need to keep INTERCOT a true community of friends and Disney fans.

[goofyskier]

Disney has announced that 43000 cast members will be furloughed but will maintain health insurance for up to 12 months. So I guess in some way Iger giving back his base salary helped make this happen by freeing up some cash flow. So I’m being positive lol

The debate for executive compensation and what is reasonable can wait for another day.

Cheers :)

[TheVBs]

I don't think anyone is just bashing wealthy people. I think the concern here is for the most vulnerable Disney employees. I am really glad to hear that they'll still have their health coverage - and for up to 12 months! That's fantastic. I do hope Disney continues to communicate and check in with these people - they're the ones that really make the magic happen on a day to day basis. They deserve help if they need it.

[Cinderelley]

He stepped down as CEO, but they kept him on as Executive Director for the duration of his contract, I believe? It was designed to be a transition period. Bob Chapek has never run a company like this directly, so Iger is still there to help guide him. However, during this pandemic, Iger has basically stepped back in, even though he hasn't reclaimed the CEO title.

Thank you for explaining that.