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What changes to operations should we expect post Covid-19?

I think there’s a large amount of “if we advertise opening on the 4th July, it puts pressure on the government to allow us to open 4th July” going on, especially as it’s not just one company doing it.

Realistically I think it would be difficult for the government to postpone the opening of theme parks any later with zoos already open - they’ve set themselves a precedent. Even if they keep in some restrictions like indoor areas remaining closed etc.


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Although the 4th of July has been mentioned by the PM as the earliest date hospitality could open, I really don't think indoor venues such as pubs could open. Maybe we could see pubs allowed to open beer gardens. Although my other worry is that as people drink they are less likely to distance from others. Whereas at a theme park even the indoor areas are a more regimented organised system of people which is easier to manage.
 
I think as a result of ongoing restrictions we might start to see some fairly unique business models for operations restaurants and bars, it will certainly be interesting to see what operators come up with to be allowed to operate.

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In many European countries, some restaurants did resort to running outdoor food stalls before they were allowed to reopen!
 
I doubt you’ll see sit down eatery across all parks for a while so it could be interesting to see how they manage when we have weather like this.
 
I'm not sure theme parks do have a provisional date though. Unless I missed an official announcement, I thought that the Prime Minister announced hospitality (bars, restaurants) from July 4th at the earliest and the theme park operators have assumed that's when they'll be opening too. I don't recall an official date for theme parks being set by the government.

I'm expecting a staggered reopening of bars and restaurants. I expect those with outside areas to be allowed to open first, then some sort of pre-booked and table service indoor compromise. Cramped buffet restaurants somewhere around last!

I'd be amazed if the bars and restaurants in the hotels were able to open in the traditional way along with the theme park. Take out to room will surely come first.

The drinks sector have said they need three weeks notice to prepare for opening, 4th of July is now less than three weeks away...
 
The drinks sector have said they need three weeks notice to prepare for opening, 4th of July is now less than three weeks away...
That’s crazy, that’s a lot more notice than other sectors have been receiving


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Some pub owner brought up a good point on Twitter the other day. Considering the weather we are having, what can the pub owners do in that situation. By looks of it if it’s a rain storm people will have to still sit outside or the pub has to shut.
 
I think it's largely that they need to make something to sell! Some brewing has been continuing, but a lot lot lot less than usual.

Yes apparently there is a marmite shortage as there isn't enough yeast coming from brewerys to make the marmite with.
 
Some pub owner brought up a good point on Twitter the other day. Considering the weather we are having, what can the pub owners do in that situation. By looks of it if it’s a rain storm people will have to still sit outside or the pub has to shut.

If people can't brave a shower for a few minutes they don't deserve a beer! But yes, fair weather drinking for a while seems likely.

Also, big umbrellas.
 
I can definitely see the hotel's breakfast, meals, etc being takeaway for rooms or perhaps them having distant tables only for hotel guests due to there being less capacity. There's no way anything like DBGT at Thorpe can open surely. Maybe with enough cleaning Duel can open.
 
Duel could open without the blasters I'd imagine, just depends if management feel that the blasters are integral to the ride experience (they are not).
 
I don’t think the blasters are a huge issue if they provide alcohol gel on the way out or similar. I don’t think Tesco have cleaned any of the trollies or baskets I’ve touched while shopping recently, they just provided one bottle of spray cleaner and some tissue if you wanted to clean it yourself (most didn’t).
 
The current version of Duel without blasters would be boring.

If anything maybe a solution is to issue disposable gloves with cleaning regularly.

Went to Warwick this week and was surprised that the binoculars at the top of the mound were available to use and the “interactive” info boards that you rotate were all usable too.
 
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I can't see the difference between touching the guns or the restraints on any other rides.

If any one watched the recent BBC Salisbury drama, the police officer that went into the novichok contaminated home, despite wearing PPE, he spread the poison around the home that he was investigating as well as inadvertently contaminated his own home with it. It just goes to show how easily it is to spread contaminants around.
 
Drayton Manor summed it up nicely on their Facebook page when replying to comments.





It is amazing how many people, including people on here. Have taken what the large parks have said as gospel. Despite differing words from the government.

Now I am not saying the parks will not open on the 4th. But the government have not said when they can open. It is just when parks are assuming they can open. But NOTHING has been said. This post is more to highlight the sorry state of how people take anything as fact these days without checking facts for themselves.

People these days jump the gun and assume things based on their own needs and wants. Then all of a sudden it is interpreted as fact. Oh dear.

This is why Drayton haven't account any opening date. Because they government have said NOTHING.

If for whatever reason, the government do not announce something they haven't announced as happening on July 4th (themeparks re opening). Imagine the massive massive backlash and anger from the public the Merlin parks are going to recoeve, as they have pretty much been misleading the public. Putting out their own expectations and wants as if it is fact.
 
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Drayton Manor summed it up nicely on their Facebook page when replying to comments.





It is amazing how many people, including people on here. Have taken what the large parks have said as gospel. Despite differing words from the government.

Now I am not saying the parks will not open on the 4th. But the government have not said when they can open. It is just when parks are assuming they can open. But NOTHING has been said.

People these days jump the gun and assume things based on their own needs and wants. Then all of a sudden it is interpreted as fact. Oh dear.

This is why Drayton haven't account any opening date. Because they government have said NOTHING.
It is surprising how many people have taken the 4th July as set in stone 100 percent date. But the government hasn’t actually given any date and technically they haven’t even said if theme parks can reopen first thing in July. It’s just companies pushing the government but they ain’t budging.
 
It is surprising how many people have taken the 4th July as set in stone 100 percent date. But the government hasn’t actually given any date and technically they haven’t even said if theme parks can reopen first thing in July. It’s just companies pushing the government but they ain’t budging.
Good point but I would also keep in mind just because the government aren't publicly budging doesn't mean they aren't budging.
It wouldn't surprise me if they have decided to allow them to reopen but don't want to annouce it yet.

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