Shanghai Disneyland officially re-opened to guests today! After temporarily closing nearly four months ago, the park held its grand re-opening today, with precautionary measures in place.
To celebrate the news of the first global Disney Park re-opening, Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek spoke with CNBC regarding the re-opening of Shanghai Disney, and the future of the rest of the Disney Parks.
In an interview with CNBC, Chapek spoke to the “pent up demand” there has been for Shanghai Disneyland, noting that tickets for the park have almost completely sold out for the week. When speaking to the point of pent up demand for the Disney Parks, he said that, “This is really indicative I think of the love that consumers have for our brand across the world.” He also commented that the re-opening of the Disney Parks represents “some semblance of normal” to people, a large reason why so many are looking towards re-opening dates for the rest of the parks around the globe.
To that point, he said that, “We want to open as soon as we can, but we are going to do so in a responsible way.” Currently, the parks is opened with limited capacity, less than 30%. Chapek shared that the plan is to increase by “5,000 a week”, waiting for government restrictions to loosen before ramping up.
When asked about if spatial distancing would even be possible at 100% capacity, Chapek commented that it really “depends on the guests.” He noted that in Shanghai so far, guests have been doing their part to follow the precautionary guidelines set out, continuing by saying that, “Everybody across the world knows that this is a relatively important condition on which we can continue to operate the parks.”
Chapek also commented that the theme parks can only “do so much”. He continued by saying that, “We’re all playing a part in this ecosystem of safety. We’re going to do our part, and we need our guests to do their part as well.”
As far as what could be required for the re-opening of the US Disney Parks, Chapek said that, “One of the things we will likely require is masks for both the cast and the guests.” He noted that this will be something that “culturally is different” compared to Asia, where wearing masks was common place even prior to the current global health crisis.
We will continue to update as we learn more about the re-opening of the Disney Parks.
Sources: CNBC
Want to learn more about the Disney Parks closures?
- The Disney Parks Closures: Here's Everything We Know
- Here's Everything That Disney World is Refunding Due to the Temporary Closure
- Here's Everything That Disneyland is Refunding Due to the Temporary Closures
- Here's Everything That the Disney Cruise Line is Refunding Due to Suspended Itineraries
- Should I Cancel My Disney Trip? Taking a Closer Look at Our Most FAQ
- Flattening the Curve: Why Disney is Closing Everything
- All the Times That Disney World and Disneyland Have Closed Throughout History
Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!
I don’t mind wearing a mask for my safety as well as everyone elses. The point is to keep everyone including the cast members healthy & safe. Even without parades it’s still Disney & better than being stuck in my house
No way will I ever wear a mask! I will cancel my trip and let our passes expire.
How is Disney limiting visitor numbers? We’ll have to make ticket reservations ahead of time?
We’re supposed to take our grandchildren on their break in September, but I think the masks will be miserable worn all day in the Florida weather (we are wearing masks now, but not all day) and there’s no point if there are limited attractions. It would be an immense challenge to socially distance.
Agreed, masks in Florida heat and humidity a deal breaker
Masks required, no fireworks, no parades, and no character meet and greets are a deal breaker for me. So much of the magic will be lost. Breaks my heart that our April vacation was canceled and it doesn’t look like we’ll be going anytime soon.