As Disney World prepares to reopen its parks on July 11 and July 15, it will begin to call back thousands of furloughed workers, including all full-time attraction employees. Most part-time workers will also be called back.
When the parks do reopen, there will be no parades, fireworks shows nor “meet-and-greet” sessions with performers dressed as Disney characters.
Union official Eric Clinton told members this week that Disney employees won’t even be allowed to take photos of visitors using the guests’ cellphones to cut back on the risk of spreading the virus.
“Any scenario that could create large crowds … the company isn’t going to do it,” said Clinton, president of Unite Here Local 362
Disney has not made any plans to reopen Disney World’s water parks, and those workers can transfer temporarily into other areas. College students and international workers who staffed the country pavilions at Epcot’s World Showcase aren’t coming back anytime soon, so the positions formally staffed by international workers will be worked by U.S. employees.
Disney Springs shopping and dining area reopened May 20 with limited parking, reduced hours, mask required and temperature screening before entry. Disney-owned stores and restaurants in Disney Springs began reopening May 27.
In a classic Disney fashion, the new safety rules tied to the reopening Disney Springs are being enforced by some of the company’s widely beloved characters: stormtroopers from Star Wars.