Orlando Takes Center Stage as Disney and the NBA Push Ahead Into Florida’s Virus Spike
Photo Credit: Disney World in Florida. The resort began reopening on July 11, as coronavirus cases in Florida grow. Flickr / Jeffrey Zeldman
Skift Take
Disney World reopened last weekend, and the NBA is set to take to the court starting July 30 in Orlando, but Florida is having a surge of coronavirus cases. How is this going to go?
All eyes will certainly be on Orlando, Florida, in coming weeks, as the unlikely stage for how tourism and entertainment can move forward during a pandemic. A tourism mecca for decades, Orlando is host to some key reopenings, even as Covid-19 cases hit new record levels in Florida.
Walt Disney World in Orlando pushed ahead on July 11 with its reopening, as its Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom brought in a reported combined crowd of about 16,000 visitors. That was well below daily averages of around 100,000.
The resort will be the site of the relaunch of the National Basketball Association's season on July 30. The league plans to have 22 teams playing games in a closely monitored bubble at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The teams have all arrived in Orlando and begun training for the season's resumption. EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios will be opening at the resort on Wednesday, and Universal Orlando is open as well, making Orlando a prime spot for big br
