Disneyland has recently announced it would remain closed until guidelines and agreements could be reached. This was a relief to the many Cast Members who were petitioning to keep the park closed due to coronavirus concerns. Now the Actors’ Equity Association at Walt Disney World is asking for more regular testing for their members. The union represents about 600 Walt Disney World actors, and many are performers that can’t use face masks when they do their jobs.

Mary McColl, Executive Director of the Actors’ Equity Association had this to say:

“If Disneyland has postponed, it is unclear how Walt Disney World can responsibly move toward reopening when coronavirus cases are much worse in Florida. Now is the time for Disney to pause, focus on the science and put the safety of their actors and stage managers first by making regular testing available.”

Many Walt Disney World Cast Members have voiced their concerns about Walt Disney World reopening even as positive COVID-19 cases are breaking records in Orlando. So far the state has indicated that they would not force the parks to shut down. Walt Disney World has said they are moving forward with the reopening on July 11th for the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and July 15th for EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

In fact, the opening days are already pretty much “sold out” as far as their Park Pass Reservation System goes. Guest wanting to visit the Disney parks must have a reservation via this new system to enter.

Due to these factors it’s understandable that performers, who can’t wear masks, would have concerns and would feel safer with better testing and protocols in place. Hopefully they can reach some kind of equitable agreement before the parks reopen.

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Source: Spectrum 13