Disney's Phased Re-Opening + The Latest from Disney+

Mouse & Castle: A Disney Parks and Entertainment Podcast

Episode 035

Topics

Disney Takes a Pandemic Hit, and There’s Worse to Come https://buff.ly/2WBAYKX

“Our businesses have been hugely impacted,” the company’s C.E.O. said after quarterly profit dropped more than 90 percent. And that was for a period only partly upended by the coronavirus.

Disney did say that its newest theme park resort, Shanghai Disneyland, would reopen on May 11 with “controlled capacity,” temperature checks and everyone wearing masks. “Queues will be structured and ride vehicles will be loaded to promote social distancing,” Disney said. Mr. Chapek said that Shanghai Disneyland attracted roughly 80,000 people a day under normal conditions. For the moment, the Chinese government wants capacity capped at 24,000 a day.

“We’re actually going to open far below that,” Mr. Chapek said, “to get our training wheels on.”

Disney Parks shares proposed safety protocol for reopening, is exploring 'phased' approach https://buff.ly/35KuCNp

Disney Springs to begin phased reopening this month https://buff.ly/3frKrNr

‘National Treasure’ Series in the Works at Disney Plus https://buff.ly/3drNTG9

'Wonderful World of Disney' Movie Night Revived at ABC — See Schedule https://buff.ly/2YLdOo2

A Message about Disney Parks from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel https://buff.ly/2zdtGVE

Shanghai
Opens May 11
“Guests are required to purchase admission tickets valid on a selected date only and Annual Pass holders must make a reservation prior to arrival”
Will allow up 24k a day which is 30% of normal attendance

Other Parks
Phased reopening: We’re looking at all of our locations and how best to begin the reopening process, including a gradual reopening and/or partial reopening of certain locations. For example, the opening of retail and dining locations prior to the opening of our theme parks.
Physical distancing and capacity measures: As you can imagine, managing guest density in queues, restaurants, hotels, ride vehicles and other facilities throughout the park and across the resort is a major focus, as we implement physical distancing guidelines based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies. This will likely include implementation of guest capacity measures to comply with state and federal guidelines. We’re also exploring ways to use technology to aid us in these efforts, like with our Play Disney Parks App and through virtual queues at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Cleanliness and sanitization: We’re planning increased cleaning and disinfection, determining where that should take place (for example, in high-traffic areas), and the cleaning products and processes we’ll use.
Screening and prevention support: We’ll follow guidance from the government and the medical community regarding enhanced screening procedures and prevention measures, including those related to personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face coverings. Some measures, like adding hand sanitizers and hand washing stations across our resorts, have already been implemented.
Cast training: We’re further emphasizing our strong culture of health and safety amongst our cast members, and will continue to provide new training and reinforcement as we get closer to reopening.

Disney Springs
A phased reopening of Disney Springs will begin on May 20. Following the guidance of government and health officials, a limited number of shopping and dining experiences that are owned by third-party operating participants will begin to open during this initial phase. The rest of Walt Disney World Resort will remain closed, including theme parks and resort hotels.
As we continue to monitor conditions, and with the health of guests and Disney cast members at the forefront of our planning, we are making several operational changes. Disney Springs will begin to reopen in a way that incorporates enhanced safety measures, including increased cleaning procedures, the use of appropriate face coverings by both cast members and guests, limited-contact guest services and additional safety training for cast members.
We will apply learnings and ideas from leaders in the health and travel industries, and we’re also talking to our unions as we prepare for some cast members to return to work.
During the initial opening phase, Disney Springs will have limitations on capacity, parking and operating hours. Given this unprecedented situation, we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we navigate through this process as responsibly as we can. Additional protocols and procedures may be announced closer to the opening date. Please check DisneySprings.com as we get closer to May 20 for the most current information on operating hours, locations and safety procedures.

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