Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced on Tuesday during the company’s second-quarter earnings call that it plans to open its Shanghai Disneyland theme park on May 11.
“We know how much our guests have been looking forward to returning to Shanghai Disneyland, and our cast is excited to begin welcoming them back,” said Disney’s CEO Bob Chapek. “As the park reopens with significantly enhanced health and safety measures, our guests will find Shanghai Disneyland as magical and memorable as ever.”
The Chinese government wants the park to reopen at 30% of its normal capacity, or 24,000 visitors per day; Disney says it will actually reopen at “far below” that number and work its way up to 24,000. All employees and guests—everyone but costumed characters—will be asked to wear masks when it reopens.
“We will take a phased approach with limits on attendance, using an advanced reservation and entry system, controlled guest density using social distancing and strict government required health and prevention procedures,” Chapek said on the company’s second-quarter earnings call. “These include the use of masks, temperature screenings and other contact tracing and early detection systems.”
Disney Senior SVP and CFO Christine M. McCarthy said there was no update on the status of Disney’s other parks.