I cant see Blackpool doing that but weirder things have happened. I think we all know what’s the weather can be like in Blackpool around November/December time. Apart from enthusiasts who would turn up.
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What changes to operations should we expect post Covid-19?
I cant see Blackpool doing that but weirder things have happened. I think we all know what’s the weather can be like in Blackpool around November/December time. Apart from enthusiasts who would turn up.
Why are people saying that ‘if a restaurant can, a theme park can’. A restaurant is far easier to control in terms of customer flow and hygiene standards.
I work for a popular national casual dining chain and it’s been a challenge just to get some of these measures in place, and we’re blessed with perhaps a more medium-sized building with less contact points where perhaps it’s easier to control. Granted, we have different buildings and slightly different layouts across the country, but as far as standardised social distancing measures go, it’s easier to scale up. We already have access to PPE & gloves as we always have done for every member of staff; I’m guessing a theme park wouldn’t have that kind of stock so would have to source it to cater for everybody.
But some of the measures we’ve installed JUST for Deliveroo are Perspex screens everywhere, taped markings, no one being allowed inside the building unless you’re an employee, etc. And we only have a medium sized building to think about with a limited number of contact points. A theme park on scale is far bigger, and will take a lot more man-power to enforce, keep clean and hygienic, and maintain social distancing. There’s measures for us which make it easier (reducing table counts for example, removing refill drinks, removing sauce bottles, disposable menus, screens to protect staff, etc.) which can help. We can operate therefore on a reduced staff level, because we have less customers, so it makes it far easier for us to manage and return a profit, even if it’s a reduced one.
I don’t see how you can compare a medium sized restaurant operation to a large scale Theme Park operation. It’s a silly comparison to make.
Imagine having to enforce every element of safety and social distancing in every park restaurant, shop, queue line, pathway, ride station, staff area, etc. Much harder to control and tons more policies and procedures would need to be in place than a restaurant would need.
I work for a popular national casual dining chain and it’s been a challenge just to get some of these measures in place, and we’re blessed with perhaps a more medium-sized building with less contact points where perhaps it’s easier to control. Granted, we have different buildings and slightly different layouts across the country, but as far as standardised social distancing measures go, it’s easier to scale up. We already have access to PPE & gloves as we always have done for every member of staff; I’m guessing a theme park wouldn’t have that kind of stock so would have to source it to cater for everybody.
But some of the measures we’ve installed JUST for Deliveroo are Perspex screens everywhere, taped markings, no one being allowed inside the building unless you’re an employee, etc. And we only have a medium sized building to think about with a limited number of contact points. A theme park on scale is far bigger, and will take a lot more man-power to enforce, keep clean and hygienic, and maintain social distancing. There’s measures for us which make it easier (reducing table counts for example, removing refill drinks, removing sauce bottles, disposable menus, screens to protect staff, etc.) which can help. We can operate therefore on a reduced staff level, because we have less customers, so it makes it far easier for us to manage and return a profit, even if it’s a reduced one.
I don’t see how you can compare a medium sized restaurant operation to a large scale Theme Park operation. It’s a silly comparison to make.
Imagine having to enforce every element of safety and social distancing in every park restaurant, shop, queue line, pathway, ride station, staff area, etc. Much harder to control and tons more policies and procedures would need to be in place than a restaurant would need.
The decisions merlin make will make or break them. If they decide to unfreeze passes and only open half of the UK portfolio and you only have a limited number of pass holder tickets each day. I can’t see that being very good for them and will just lead to massive backlash. The most obvious thing to do is to move all passes to next year and then start a fresh. But it’s merlin so they will just do the first option.
AT86
TS Member
Merlin stated a couple of years back that annual passes account for around £100million of revenue. It’s not small change but compared to an over all revenue of £1.6billion it really isn’t a huge amount percentage wise.
Whilst Karen and her 7 kids on the Facebook group might be pretty vocal about not being able to use her passes, it really is not high on Merlin’s priority list in terms of making profits this year. Day guests and hotel stays are where the cash is at.
Whilst Karen and her 7 kids on the Facebook group might be pretty vocal about not being able to use her passes, it really is not high on Merlin’s priority list in terms of making profits this year. Day guests and hotel stays are where the cash is at.
imanautie
TS Member
And what proportion of hotel guests are passholders?
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RicketyCricket
TS Member
Midways could be really screwed. They rely so much on the casual tourist trade especially in London.
Again, I'm convinced the parks will be open sooner than we think. Perhaps we can't use the Chinese parks as a comparison but we will see in the next few weeks what measures the German parks are putting in place to make guests feel safe and comfortable.
Again, I'm convinced the parks will be open sooner than we think. Perhaps we can't use the Chinese parks as a comparison but we will see in the next few weeks what measures the German parks are putting in place to make guests feel safe and comfortable.
imanautie
TS Member
If Midway's are screwed merlin are in serious trouble, after all they are a midway operator who just happens to have theme parks as well
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I have said this many times. They stand to lose 10 attractions during social distancing without counting any sealifes that can’t social distance. Merlin could find themselves in deep trouble come the end of the year. If they stick to the fact they expect something to open by July. It’s worth noting that in 2019 merlins admission revenue till July 2019 was 700 odd million. So I think it’s safe to say they might find themselves in a tricky situation. Considering the parks only make up 22% of the revenue.
Islander
TS Member
I thought the 22% for theme parks mentioned above seemed a bit thin... for RTPs seems far more reasonable, but in terms of operations post-COVID-19, can of course be grouped with the LLPs, making a total of 61% income from non-Midways.
Croftybaby
TS Member
Shanghai Disney opening - Guy walking round with mask on his chin. This will be fun.
Also the opening seemed a bit strange, like it was only a media event. There definitely seems to be only a few people in the 'crowd'
Also the opening seemed a bit strange, like it was only a media event. There definitely seems to be only a few people in the 'crowd'
Matt N
TS Member
They sold out tickets for today and many days in the future (albeit with 30% capacity). Maybe this opening ceremony was a media event.Shanghai Disney opening - Guy walking round with mask on his chin. This will be fun.
Also the opening seemed a bit strange, like it was only a media event. There definitely seems to be only a few people in the 'crowd'
Croftybaby
TS Member
All that effort and no guests who payed to be at the park got to see it? Something smells fishy to me! In the video the guy was talking like he had a gun to his head lol.
My main reason for the pic was to highlight the guest not wearing a mask properly.
Anyway, lots of magic to be had inside
I think i'll leave them to it and go to the beach
My main reason for the pic was to highlight the guest not wearing a mask properly.
Anyway, lots of magic to be had inside
I think i'll leave them to it and go to the beach
Croftybaby
TS Member
Now we know why Merlin never put up money for entertainment. They could see into the future.
The only thing I’ll be absolutely gutted about is IF events like Oktoberfest cannot go ahead, then let’s say hypothetically they’re ‘canned’ for 2021, it’ll be like being offered a treat you’ve been waiting for for years, before having it snatched away.
We’ve waited for new, fresh and exciting investment in events for years. To have a taste of it and then have it snatched away would be infuriating. But then, they’ll need to make cuts somewhere
We’ve waited for new, fresh and exciting investment in events for years. To have a taste of it and then have it snatched away would be infuriating. But then, they’ll need to make cuts somewhere
The only thing I’ll be absolutely gutted about is IF events like Oktoberfest cannot go ahead, then let’s say hypothetically they’re ‘canned’ for 2021, it’ll be like being offered a treat you’ve been waiting for for years, before having it snatched away.
We’ve waited for new, fresh and exciting investment in events for years. To have a taste of it and then have it snatched away would be infuriating. But then, they’ll need to make cuts somewhere
I have no idea how events will work. I’m sure they take months of planning and cost money to put together. Are they going to risk going ahead with it if social distancing is in place.
Doublethink
TS Member
They won't. Places like ceder fair have already canceled all their 2020 events