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

If restaurants and shops are opening back up then of course the parks will too.

It would be very odd if my local pub were to open up but a huge outdoor space like Towers doesn't. I know where I'd feel safer*.

*From the virus, not drunken violence
 
The fudge will probably be along the lines of "all leisure businesses can reopen if they can maintain social distancing and good health and safety practices".
Tories want business resuming, as does the Treasury.
Roads and pavements busier by the day.
 
RicketyCricket said:
If restaurants and shops are opening back up then of course the parks will too.

It would be very odd if my local pub were to open up but a huge outdoor space like Towers doesn't. I know where I'd feel safer*.

*From the virus, not drunken violence
Click to expand...

I agree. But there is nothing to suggest that either pubs or restaurants are opening soon.

rob666 said:
The fudge will probably be along the lines of "all leisure businesses can reopen if they can maintain social distancing and good health and safety practices".
Tories want business resuming, as does the Treasury.
Roads and pavements busier by the day.
Click to expand...

Yep and it was the Tories reluctance to lockdown in the first place, because they did not want to stop businesses, that got us into such a bad situation now. Which has ended up hitting us economically harder than would had. Even when we had hindsight staring us in the face from Italy. Acting sooner, like Germany did could mean that parks would possibly be opening soon. Like they are over there. But we didnt.

I think that taught them a lesson. A big one. I think now they understand the severity of what can come if they dont act correctly. Yes they want things opening again like themeparks. But if they dont act the correct way. It will have far worse economic impacts than intended. Like before.

If they open themeparks and the rest too soon. I would bet my left leg they will be shutting again soon. When it comes back. There is no easy way out. We have to reap what we've sewn. Getting stuff open in desperation to restart the economy will do the opposite.


Anyway sorry to verge off topic.
 
How are you gonna keep 2 metres apart in a cattle pen queue line when you got guests to the left and right of you? The parks also wouldn’t reopen during term times (September onwards) as kids will be at school and if couples and friends turn up will they be asked to prove they live in the same household. Shawn will have to go to all parks on his own or with his parents. It’s only gonna work at family parks like Drayton, Paultons, Chessington and LegoLand which is geared up for families with children 1.2 or less. Alton could open but with just there 1.2m tall rides available.
 
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Towers were preparing for 2m gaps in queuelines before the lockdown. I expect that will remain. My scepticism then lies in how efficient a park can be with such social distancing measures.

Even by limiting park entry capacity, you’re still looking at a standard (when full) 2400 person capacity Wickerman queueline being reduced to god knows what based on an unknown of party sizes. Then, does the queue extend out towards the horizon, or is it capped?

Changes in practical terms...
  • Socially distanced queuelines
  • No single riders, obviously (lol like that was even a thing before)
  • A row between each party of guests on a coaster?
  • A one way system on paths to prevent bottle necks?
  • Sparsely furnitured restaurants (if any dining-in options at all)?
  • Every other sink blocked off in toilets?
  • Times tickets for attractions to limit people in queuelines?
Literally everything we usually take for granted will need to be changed (mirroring everyday life).

If masks become mandatory, at what point are these taken off for a ride & where do you keep them? No loose articles people!

I am equally intrigued, sceptical, and apprehensive about seeing parks reopen. We have now seen irrefutably that the virus spreads rapidly, undetected with late onset symptoms. A place such as a theme park that attracts thousands of people daily who use shared food, toilet and hygiene facilities for 6-8 hours could mean disaster.

I get that places like huge distribution warehouses filled with thousands of people daily who use shared food, toilet and hygiene facilities for 6-8 hours are managing... but I’m still on the fence about whether parks will manage it with family groups, friend groups (can we even see each other?!) etc. Slightly more difficult to enforce policy when guests have free will and (in some cases) potential disregard for COVID-19 safety measures.
 
Sazzle said:
Towers were preparing for 2m gaps in queuelines before the lockdown. I expect that will remain. My scepticism then lies in how efficient a park can be with such social distancing measures.

Even by limiting park entry capacity, you’re still looking at a standard (when full) 2400 person capacity Wickerman queueline being reduced to god knows what based on an unknown of party sizes. Then, does the queue extend out towards the horizon, or is it capped?

Changes in practical terms...
  • Socially distanced queuelines
  • No single riders, obviously (lol like that was even a thing before)
  • A row between each party of guests on a coaster?
  • A one way system on paths to prevent bottle necks?
  • Sparsely furnitured restaurants (if any dining-in options at all)?
  • Every other sink blocked off in toilets?
  • Times tickets for attractions to limit people in queuelines?
Literally everything we usually take for granted will need to be changed (mirroring everyday life).

If masks become mandatory, at what point are these taken off for a ride & where do you keep them? No loose articles people!

I am equally intrigued, sceptical, and apprehensive about seeing parks reopen. We have now seen irrefutably that the virus spreads rapidly, undetected with late onset symptoms. A place such as a theme park that attracts thousands of people daily who use shared food, toilet and hygiene facilities for 6-8 hours could mean disaster.

I get that places like huge distribution warehouses filled with thousands of people daily who use shared food, toilet and hygiene facilities for 6-8 hours are managing... but I’m still on the fence about whether parks will manage it with family groups, friend groups (can we even see each other?!) etc. Slightly more difficult to enforce policy when guests have free will and (in some cases) potential disregard for COVID-19 safety measures.
Click to expand...

Hopefully this moves Merlin towards a bags on policy where possible (for non inverting rides). Eftaling do it on there GCI woodie so can't see why towers couldn't
 
Mr Pearse said:
Surely just surely they would have to stop selling fast tracks.
Click to expand...
o_O

:confused:

:(

then again, why am I bothered,
A) cant see the parks opening
B) if they did, would I want to go, I go to park to escape the rubbish outside world for a few hours, not be reminded of it constantly

being on park with all those virus infected face masks flying about, discarded on pathways, tangled in bushes :mask:
 
bluesonichd said:
o_O

:confused:

:(

then again, why am I bothered,
A) cant see the parks opening
B) if they did, would I want to go, I go to park to escape the rubbish outside world for a few hours, not be reminded of it constantly

being on park with all those virus infected face masks flying about, discarded on pathways, tangled in bushes :mask:
Click to expand...
You like fast-tracks?
 
And back on topic with that point, I absolutely agree that nothing other than a normal queueline should be considered. Parks need to think about efficiency and experience before profit (despite the pandemic causing their biggest losses in history!)
 
Early doors entrance for certain rides, late riding after hours at a tenner a pop.
Have some imagination.
Money will find its own way through.
 
Sazzle said:
And back on topic with that point, I absolutely agree that nothing other than a normal queueline should be considered. Parks need to think about efficiency and experience before profit (despite the pandemic causing their biggest losses in history!)
Click to expand...
You are absolutely right... though the RAP community would literally wage war if they weren't considered, so somehow that'll probably have to be factored in... :-/
 
if they brought the "RAP suspension" in with the line we are keeping our customers safe, we care, they may get away with it
 
Sazzle said:
Towers were preparing for 2m gaps in queuelines before the lockdown. I expect that will remain. My scepticism then lies in how efficient a park can be with such social distancing measures.

Even by limiting park entry capacity, you’re still looking at a standard (when full) 2400 person capacity Wickerman queueline being reduced to god knows what based on an unknown of party sizes. Then, does the queue extend out towards the horizon, or is it capped?

Changes in practical terms...
  • Socially distanced queuelines
  • No single riders, obviously (lol like that was even a thing before)
  • A row between each party of guests on a coaster?
  • A one way system on paths to prevent bottle necks?
  • Sparsely furnitured restaurants (if any dining-in options at all)?
  • Every other sink blocked off in toilets?
  • Times tickets for attractions to limit people in queuelines?
Literally everything we usually take for granted will need to be changed (mirroring everyday life).

If masks become mandatory, at what point are these taken off for a ride & where do you keep them? No loose articles people!

I am equally intrigued, sceptical, and apprehensive about seeing parks reopen. We have now seen irrefutably that the virus spreads rapidly, undetected with late onset symptoms. A place such as a theme park that attracts thousands of people daily who use shared food, toilet and hygiene facilities for 6-8 hours could mean disaster.

I get that places like huge distribution warehouses filled with thousands of people daily who use shared food, toilet and hygiene facilities for 6-8 hours are managing... but I’m still on the fence about whether parks will manage it with family groups, friend groups (can we even see each other?!) etc. Slightly more difficult to enforce policy when guests have free will and (in some cases) potential disregard for COVID-19 safety measures.
Click to expand...


Totally agree with all of this. There are just too many variables. Things can be done to help but they are never 100% effective. The only reason many of these measures are in place in workplaces are because they NEED to be open. Theme parks do not need to open at all.
I'm sure if Towers do open they will do well for a few days/weeks but at what costs? Potentially spreading the virus through different communities/ adding unnecessary traffic to already stressed roads.

I really don't know why anyone would want to go to a park that was operating some sort of skeleton shift.
 
Efteling in the Netherlands have announced what operational changes they'll be making to reopen, with the park planning to reopen around Tuesday 19th May - article here.

Translated from Dutch:

Efteling comes on Friday with the reopening date, the park has been made 'corona proof'

KAATSHEUVEL - Efteling will announce on Friday when the theme park will open again. This will initially be a limited reopening for a limited number of visitors per day. Reservations can only be made online.

Due to the corona crisis, the Kaatsheuvelse park would remain closed until Tuesday 19 May. However, after the announced relaxation of the measures by the cabinet on Wednesday, discussions were again held with the Security Regions on Thursday.

The expansion that is now being offered is reason for Efteling to make a new decision, according to a spokeswoman.

Park made 'corona proof'
In recent weeks, a lot of hard work has gone into making the entire park 'corona proof' in order to be able to receive the first visitors again on a smaller scale. In principle, only families and households are welcome, groups are not yet.

To keep the distance of one and a half meters, all kinds of protective provisions have been installed. Everywhere in the park, walking routes and sections are clearly indicated with markings and signs.

Strict rules everywhere
The queues at attractions are divided and strict rules also apply at the shops and catering outlets. Such as a door policy and mandatory use of shopping baskets and ordering at the eateries and paying via an app and picking up the order yourself. All this to avoid physical contact with employees.

Python partially filled
In the major attractions, such as the roller coasters, plastic screens are placed between the carts and seats remain unoccupied. For example, in the Python there are four people in the first train, two in the second, then an empty one and then another four, two and empty, etc. Passengers close the safety bars themselves, staff checks remotely.

Extra cleaning and disinfection
The guests also have to do with fewer toilets, but they are cleaned extra. Hygiene and disinfection is done continuously. Gloves and face masks are recommended and people with health problems are requested to stay at home. Who does come, preferably with own transport.

'Safe Together Out'
We work according to the protocol 'Safe Together Out' that has been drawn up by the largest day attractions, united in the Club of Eleven, together with the Dutch Association of Zoos.
Click to expand...
 
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