Though most Orlando theme parks have been open for around a month now, Walt Disney World only just reopened this week, with new safety and social distancing measures in place. And even though by all accounts the reopening has gone well, things in Florida are not looking great when it comes to COVID-19, with the state reporting over 10,000 new cases daily and rapidly becoming the new epicenter for the virus.

The timing couldn't be worse for Walt Disney World, which has been promoting its theme parks as a safe vacation destination this summer, and though there are plenty of measures in place designed to keep guests as distant from one another as possible, some are wondering if, with the virus so widespread in Florida, Walt Disney World could see another shutdown. 

Local government has not ruled out shutting the theme parks back down

Earlier this week Hong Kong Disneyland became the first Disney park to shut down once again after reopening following the initial wave of COVID-19 infections in the area. And now it looks like local officials in Florida are fielding some questions about whether or not we could see a similar re-shutdown at Walt Disney World. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings was specifically asked if Orange County would consider asking Walt Disney World to close again given the recent increase in cases and while Demings declined to give any kind of specifics, he did say that if hospitals are reaching capacity and “there are outbreaks associated with Disney, we won’t hesitate to ask Disney to re-evaluate the reopening.”

However, following these remarks, Demings added that that if there’s one place on earth where we should be successful in reopening, it would be Walt Disney World, and that he is optimistic about the immediate future of the resort operating in the increasingly fraught pandemic conditions. 

While none of these statements would seem to indicate any kind of immediate action when it comes to Walt Disney World in the near future, it seems that the county hasn't exactly ruled out another closure either, which leaves Walt Disney World (and guests still wanting to visit the resort this year) in a bit of limbo when it comes to planning a visit later this year. 

However, when it comes to Disneyland Resort, the future is looking all but certain when it comes to any chance of a reopening on the west coast...