Which theme parks are you most worried about during Covid-19 lockdown?

[Matt N]

The government seem to have been quite flexible in this regard so far, and I could have sworn that they said they were trying to devise further help for the tourism sector, so I don’t see why parks couldn’t do this.

 

[Mr Pearse]

The problem they have is how big the tourism market is. A lot of place still won’t be able to reopen due to social distancing. So there will be a lot of places lined up to get financial help but in the end it won’t be a lot. They never helped the zoos when they needed help the most instead they just let them reopen so they didn’t have to rescue them.

 

[MiserableMonkey]

These posts about a Tory government willingly throwing endless money at theme parks is beyond optimistic.

They won’t do anything beyond what is being done now unless there’s serious concerns about the viability of a large sector of the economy. That theme park down the road that hasn’t made enough to buy a pot a jam since 2012 is off the radar.

It’ll be sad if any park closes due to this crisis, but it’s important to remember that if they do go, you almost guarantee there will be an underlying cause that was there long before covid-19.

 

[Mr Pearse]

These posts about a Tory government willingly throwing endless money at theme parks is beyond optimistic.

They won’t do anything beyond what is being done now unless there’s serious concerns about the viability of a large sector of the economy. That theme park down the road that hasn’t made enough to buy a pot a jam since 2012 is off the radar.

It’ll be sad if any park closes due to this crisis, but it’s important to remember that if they do go, you almost guarantee there will be an underlying cause that was there long before covid-19.

most of the parks at risk have definitely had serious financial difficulties recently but no one really knows how serious it is until they go bust. The most obvious ones to watch out for is definitely Lightwater Valley I think that will continue struggling with the pending court case and no income this year. Drayton manor has more then likely got quite serious financial difficulties but I can see the park being brought out if it was to go. In terms of buyers point of view Drayton is an easier investment if Thomas land is part of the deal. A park with decent enough rides and hotel right near the motorway is an easy decision for some would be investors.

 

[jon81uk]

Zoos have much greater ongoing costs and there hasn't been any government support for them (just allowed to re-open outdoor areas) so I don't see a bailout coming for other leisure activities.
I don't see gyms being allowed to open any time soon and at least theme parks are mainly outdoors which reduces the risks, do you think small gym owners will get a bailout too?

 

[Mr Pearse]

Am I the only one finding it interesting that the only places that have announced reopening are outdoor theme parks. The government have made it so unclear about what can and can’t reopen that I’m not even sure what will happen next. I doubt many places that are purely indoors will reopen for a while but it’s all speculation as nothing is known apart from the government won’t give a dam.

 

[RicketyCricket]

There is lots of evidence suggesting that the virus spreads significantly faster in enclosed, crowded spaces.

The pubs are gonna be a nightmare when they open next month. For every pint sunk, people will let their guard down a bit and the social distancing will go out the window.

 

[TheBolt]

Many pubs will presumably implement a queuing system for the bar, seeing the end of that traditional game of who's next. Be more like Starbucks I suspect, order at position A, collect at position B.

It could be interesting if theme parks become somewhere you can get a pint for a while, whilst the pubs are still closed.

 

[Mr Pearse]

A lot of the tourism industry will struggle a lot with enclosed social distancing I think they will be the ones that be affected most in all of this.

 

[Islander]

A lot of the tourism industry will struggle a lot with enclosed social distancing I think they will be the ones that be affected most in all of this.

Well I think that's why the government is seriously considering reducing the 2m rule - there's been so much talk about how the bulk of the leisure industry can't effectively operate with it.

When they've announced that they're conducting a full review of the 2m advice, to conclude by 4th July (the next phase of restriction lifting), I think it's fairly certain that they're looking to reduce it, and this is just a careful way of doing it to make it look properly thought through lol

 

[Mr Pearse]

Well I think that's why the government is seriously considering reducing the 2m rule - there's been so much talk about how the bulk of the leisure industry can't effectively operate with it.

When they've announced that they're conducting a full review of the 2m advice, to conclude by 4th July (the next phase of restriction lifting), I think it's fairly certain that they're looking to reduce it, and this is just a careful way of doing it to make it look properly thought through lol

On paper it’s a great thing to reduce it to 1m but then as most people keep asking is it maybe bit early to do it so quick. Obviously yes it will benefit many of the leisure industry’s in the england but is it just a way to avoid the government paying out to help them. The more I see of this the more it reminds me of the zoo situation. It’s easier to let everywhere open then have to pay out for them.

 

[Matt N]

If the “huge queues outside Primark” today are anything to go by, then the parks will have no issue attracting crowds: https://apple.news/Axkw_X4ECQWiBWUmdgVYyGw

Given that shopping can be done online, whereas theme parking can’t, I’d wager that parks could be popular once lockdown is lifted! Well, as popular as they can be on reduced capacity, at least...

 

[imanautie]

If the “huge queues outside Primark” today are anything to go by, then the parks will have no issue attracting crowds: https://apple.news/Axkw_X4ECQWiBWUmdgVYyGw

Given that shopping can be done online, whereas theme parking can’t, I’d wager that parks could be popular once lockdown is lifted! Well, as popular as they can be on reduced capacity, at least...

It would be interesting seeing how the pass holder/day ticket split is normally compared to post lockdown.

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[Mr Pearse]

If the “huge queues outside Primark” today are anything to go by, then the parks will have no issue attracting crowds: https://apple.news/Axkw_X4ECQWiBWUmdgVYyGw

Given that shopping can be done online, whereas theme parking can’t, I’d wager that parks could be popular once lockdown is lifted! Well, as popular as they can be on reduced capacity, at least...

Of course parks will popular when they reopen but only the ones that can reopen. And if you have seen only the merlin parks, Blackpool and Oakwood have announced intentions to reopen. Unfortunately not all parks can afford to run at reduced capacity. Being popular is one thing but over costs and paying staff is harder when you only have 10-20percent capacity. Only certain parks can afford to do it.

 

[TheBolt]

If the “huge queues outside Primark” today are anything to go by, then the parks will have no issue attracting crowds:

Given that shopping can be done online, whereas theme parking can’t, I’d wager that parks could be popular once lockdown is lifted! Well, as popular as they can be on reduced capacity, at least...

Primark are well known for not having an online store. Most of the theme park rides are available on Youtube POV videos.

You can shop online - but it isn't the same experience as going shopping. Watching a video isn't the same thing as being in a theme park.

Neither of these will initially be able to offer the normal experience, but many people are going to be interested in any chance to
return to something closer to normality,.

The question is can their businesses make a profit with less customers?

I would like to see the government look more seriously a how to stack the odds in favour of physical merchants, e.g. by adding a tax on parcel deliveries to fund business rates reductions.

 

[imanautie]

Primark are well known for not having an online store. Most of the theme park rides are available on Youtube POV videos.

You can shop online - but it isn't the same experience as going shopping. Watching a video isn't the same thing as being in a theme park.

Neither of these will initially be able to offer the normal experience, but many people are going to be interested in any chance to
return to something closer to normality,.

The question is can their businesses make a profit with less customers?

I would like to see the government look more seriously a how to stack the odds in favour of physical merchants, e.g. by adding a tax on parcel deliveries to fund business rates reductions.

Ideas like that trying to make online shopping more expensive hurts many disabled people such as myself who either can't or struggle immensely with in store shopping.

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[jon81uk]

There is lots of evidence suggesting that the virus spreads significantly faster in enclosed, crowded spaces.

The pubs are gonna be a nightmare when they open next month. For every pint sunk, people will let their guard down a bit and the social distancing will go out the window.

I don't think pubs will be allowed to open next month. Maybe restaurants, as if you are told where to sit then its easier to enforce distancing. Outdoor stuff like theme parks, Go Ape etc will most likely start up, maybe pub gardens. But I think indoor sections of pubs are probably the most high risk, even worse than a theatre.

 

[Mr Pearse]

I don't think pubs will be allowed to open next month. Maybe restaurants, as if you are told where to sit then its easier to enforce distancing. Outdoor stuff like theme parks, Go Ape etc will most likely start up, maybe pub gardens. But I think indoor sections of pubs are probably the most high risk, even worse than a theatre.

Pubs won’t open in wales until about September if we are lucky. In England I bet they will open by end of July. The government will change the social distancing rules so they can reopen. They are a massive risk but unfortunately they bring the government a lot of money for the economy.

 

[jon81uk]

I would like to see the government look more seriously a how to stack the odds in favour of physical merchants, e.g. by adding a tax on parcel deliveries to fund business rates reductions.

The only thing like this I support is a change in alcohol tax to make supermarket drink prices a little more expensive and pubs a little cheaper. Its not good for pubs staying open, that a can in a supermarket is £1 or less but a pint in a pub is £2.50 - £6.50.

 

[Islander]

Being popular is one thing but over costs and paying staff is harder when you only have 10-20percent capacity. Only certain parks can afford to do it.

There no suggestion anywhere that parks will have to run at such a ludicrously reduced capacity. Generally seems it’ll be in the region of 40-50% - the most conservative estimates are around 30%


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