Disney CEO: Masks Likely Required for Disney World Guests
New Disney CEO Bob Chapek just gave a wide-ranging interview to CNBC following Shanghai Disneyland’s successful reopening day. Topics covered included the future of Walt Disney World and Disneyland, as well as the film slate, Disney+ and more. In this post, we’ll recap some of what was discussed and what clues Chapek gave about the Walt Disney Company’s roadmap for the next few months.
We’ll start with Shanghai Disneyland, the reopening of which was the likely impetus for the interview. Last night, we watched this 85-minute live stream of this Shanghai Disneyland’s opening plus a number of Instagram stories from people who know who live in China. By appearances, things went well. Attendance appeared modest, wait times were short, and guests were (mostly) complying with requirements of social distancing and wearing masks.
Watching Shanghai Disneyland’s reopening was probably the most excited and happy we’ve been in weeks. Even though we have “complicated” feelings about going back, it was nice to see. The entire world is going through a tough time right now, and it felt like a glimmer of hope during that. Having even one Disney park in the world open sends a symbol of returning to normalcy–people going back to enjoying fun and frivolous things…
Not to bring this crashing back to reality too quickly, but it’s worth emphasizing that Shanghai Disneyland is dramatically different from Walt Disney World and Disneyland for a number of reasons. Testing, tracing, and the prophylactic measures taken in China all differ from the United States. As do new cases–Shanghai was never the epicenter of the pandemic, and the city has had no new cases since March 3.
It also helps that the majority owner of Shanghai Disneyland is a state-controlled company, meaning the park has both the blessing and liability shield afforded by the government. There are myriad other cultural, demographic, and logistic differences between Shanghai Disneyland and Walt Disney World. All of which is to say that we don’t want to draw too strong of conclusions from that park’s reopening, even if the lessons there will undoubtedly be applied to the domestic parks.
During his CNBC interview, Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke about the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland. He described the local market there as “short book,” meaning that most guests plan visits and buy park tickets with little notice, as opposed to booking vacation packages months in advance (like at Walt Disney World).
Chapek indicated that Disney is significantly constraining attendance, and that nearly all advance reservations have been booked. “We’re pretty much booked out for the rest of the week. We have a few tickets available on a few days, but essentially, everything is gone.”
This claim is dubious–as of this morning, every day after today (going by China Standard Time) for the rest of the month had both full and half-day tickets available. Despite initial widespread reporting that reopening day tickets sold out in minutes, more availability was released and tickets were available through the weekend.
In any case, Chapek reported receiving countless emails from guests eager for the parks to reopen (that’s undoubtedly true). Chapek noted that for many people, Disney represents “some semblance of normalcy.” He further stated that Disney wants to reopen as soon as possible around the world, but is moving cautiously, responsibly, and slowly.
Chapek pointed to the reduced capacity reopening in Shanghai Disneyland as a small step towards reopening other parks, a “stair-step” towards prudently ramping up to normal operations.
The plan at Shanghai Disneyland is to go slow and steady, increasing capacity numbers by 5,000 guests per week in compliance with government health and safety guidelines.
Chapek praised guest compliance with the new safety measures, before being asked a couple of questions about the timeline for reopening Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Resort.
(Nothing really substantive was said about either. We know from recent social media photos that HKDL is preparing the parks with similar infrastructure to what was installed in Shanghai two weeks before that park reopened. Japan just extended its state of emergency, so Tokyo Disney Resort is unlikely to reopen anytime in the next month.)
When asked specifically about Walt Disney World reopening in July, Chapek indicated that he wouldn’t comment on any specific dates. (In case you missed it over the weekend, Walt Disney World Delayed Bookings Another Month, suggesting that July 1, 2020 is now the earliest reopening date for the Florida resorts.)
Instead, Chapek said in large part it will depend upon guidance from the state and local governments, plus healthcare experts and hospitals in the area where Disney operates, plus their capacities.
Chapek did strike an optimistic tone when discussing the reopening of Disney Springs, which he compared favorably to Disneytown at Shanghai Disney Resort. He noted that Disney dipped its toes in the water with Disneytown, and will be doing the same with Disney Springs.
He indicated that the soft opening of Disneytown went incredibly well in terms of guest cooperation, and hopes that this has paved the way for a “great rebirth” of Disney Parks. Chapek also stressed guest behavior and compliance, intimating that subsequent progress will likely hinge on how well guests do with the new rules imposed at Disney Springs.
When asked about health safety protocol and potential impediments to reopening Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Chapek spoke of cultural norms and environment.
He also broached the topic of face masks, which have already proven to be a lightning rod for controversy among some Disney fans.
Regarding face masks, Chapek said: “one of the things we’re likely going to require is masks for both the Cast and for the guests. And I think the masks for the guest will be something that culturally is different. In Asia, as you know, it’s fairly commonplace for folks to walk around in public with masks on.
That is not the case in the United States. So that will be something that will be a little trying for some of the guests, particularly in the hot, humid summers that we tend to have.”
From there, the interview bounced to the topic of Disney’s upcoming Mulan release, which Chapek confirmed will go forward with its July 24, 2020 release date. He believes there’s sufficient pent-up demand for the release, and it will be sufficiently safe for film-goers to return to theaters.
There was also talk about releasing more on Disney+ (or not), the stoppage of film production in California (including the upcoming season of the Mandalorian), live sports on ESPN, the Chapek-Iger relationship, and more.
You can watch Chapek’s full CNBC interview for yourself:
Overall, it’s interesting to hear directly from Disney’s CEO as to what’s on the horizon, and what the internal thinking is right now within the Walt Disney Company. While a lot obviously remains unknown (and is still subject to change) this is the second straight time we’ve found Chapek’s words encouraging (the first being the recent earnings call).
Chapek once again reinforced Disney’s resilience, and pointed to the (many) bright spots for long-term success even as many of Disney’s business units are hit especially hard right now. We’re not exactly “Chapek cheerleaders,” but we are certainly rooting for the company’s ongoing success. He’s demonstrated more poise and eloquence in the last couple weeks than we’ve heard in any previous interview, which bodes well. Some leaders are forged in crisis…maybe that’s exactly what’s happening here?
Need Disney trip planning tips and comprehensive advice? Make sure to read Disney Parks Vacation Planning Guides, where you can find comprehensive guides to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and beyond! For Disney updates, discount information, a free download of our Money-Saving Tips for Walt Disney World eBook, and much more, sign up for our free monthly newsletter!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of this news? Think this bodes well for the reopening of Walt Disney World’s parks & resorts within the next few months? Are you excited to see that Shanghai Disneyland has reopened, even if you won’t be visiting anytime in the near future (or ever)? Any questions? Keep comments respectful, apolitical, and on topic. Anything not following these requirements will be removed.
We love Disney World and go every year. However, we will not be going if we can’t see the expressions on our children’s faces! That’s why we enjoy it, it’s a magical place! Hard to imagine looking at an album filled with pics of my kids in masks 🙁
No kidding. We will be canceling our plans as well if masks are required. It just won’t be the same and not worth the price tag of covering our faces.
Honestly it’s quite simple. If you don’t want to go wearing a mask, don’t go. My workplace has a dress code. If I don’t want to abide by it, I won’t work there. Easy.
I don’t understand how what should have been a patriotic gesture–protecting one another from an enemy, in this case in virus form– became this divisive. If you’d lived in Brooklyn in WWII would you insist on your right to keep your lights on during a blackout?
amen.
It’s simple, if you want to wear a mask, stay at home
I believe that Jaime Johnson’s post on 5/13 was very well stated. We have been DVC member since 1997 and come every year to Disney! Disney is a very important part of our family traditions but as Jamie clearly highlighted above masks are not the solution not only do people wear them incorrectly they also will create other health risks for Disney guests in Florida’s hot humidity. If people are being required to wear masks is Disney going to banish those who can’t keep them on due to age or developmental / handicaps ? If masks are the only way than ALL guests should need them! So how can you discriminate against a child or adult who has a physical or mental delay and say they cannot enter the Disney parks because they can’t keep on a mask? Guests with oxygen or chronic disease which a lot of Americans have will be at great risk for fainting or cardiac arrest. Masks can and will cause greater health concerns at the parks for guest. We as well will be canceling our schedules trips to Disney if masks are a requirement .
100%! Masks on healthy people is plain ridiculous! And unhealthy!
This is America, land of the free, something that should make people very proud to live in this great country, not something to laugh at. Walt himself was very patriotic, to scoff at it is insulting in many ways.
I do think even with Disney being private, they do care about our opinions – I don’t think anyone is saying “they cannot make us wear masks & we’re going to storm the gates NOT wearing masks!!”, if they do officially announce masks will be required at WDW. I believe that all of us that are NOT OK with wearing masks, are simply saying just that – if masks are required, we will not be coming, and hope that Disney does hear us.
In my opinion & from my own common sense, but also facts I have researched & read for myself – Most people are not wearing masks properly, with the constant touching / adjusting of this dirty mask & touching your face, cross contamination, they don’t really block what people think they block, and add to it the heat & humidity of Fl, these masks will be absolutely pointless, & will only cause people to be miserable, struggle to breath, and will not even be helping anyone with any type of safety.
Choosing NOT to wear a face mask does not make me selfish, as I feel the way regular (non-medical) people are wearing them is incorrect & pointless, and will only put people at more risk; I do care about others, I practice good hygiene, wash my hands frequently, cover coughs /sneezes, etc. So no I do not think I should have wear one & be uncomfortable & putting myself at more risk, only to provide someone else with a false sense of security/safety.
I do hope Disney hears all of us that do not feel wearing masks should be mandatory
& takes it into consideration when making final decisions. And, yes they are huge, but I do think us that do not agree with being forced to wear face mask, all do add up to a large number of people & the money we all have spent over the years & will continue to spend or possibly NOT spend is important to Disney. I myself as a passholder look forward to resuming my monthly trips & already have 6 different WDW resort reservations booked over the next several months in anticipation of them reopening – but if it is announced face masks are required, I will be cancelling & reconsidering my passholder renewal.
As an avid Disney fan, we visited 3 times last year, we won’t be returning if a mask is mandatory. We have reservations for 7/26 and if they are open and require masks we will definitely be cancelling.
I just want to know, if I wear a mask – can I take it off to eat? Drink water? Can I be heard over the noise of a crowd when asking for directions? How do I keep a mask on my four kids, all under the age of seven? Does failing in one of these points still allow a mask to be effective?
If so, then masks will likely not be effective, even if required.
I am willing to have a mask conversation, if it makes sense with the points above.
We just canceled our Trip. One because half of the family members going were over 60 and didn’t feel safe doing so and two, because Disney probably won’t be open for our scheduled dates. However, I hear a lot of people saying they won’t go if they are required to wear a mask. In fact, I hear hardcore Disney fans saying this. Disney may have a problem on their hands. They want to open up to make money and support their cast members, but if not enough people show up in order to support the cost of being open that’s a problem. They may stay shut down for a longer period of time. The United State surgeon general and the CDC advise that wearing masks, in a nutshell, are basically pointless for the general public. There is no push to wear gloves and we touch things all the time and then touch our face. We need to stop living in a bubble since this isn’t going away anytime soon. We cannot sustain it and it isn’t healthy for our immune systems.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
@Richard, how will I know if I’m healthy or a silent carrier?
We canceled our trip for August .We will not wear face masks in heat and humidity. also there’s not going to be any Parades ,characters meet and fireworks.
I don’t understand “this is America and it violates my “civil rights” thing.
It doesn’t violate anything. Your “rights” and liberty ends when you put other people’s health at risk.
For the foreseeable future wearing masks and social distancing are the only ways to bring down infection rates and the spread of the virus. And that includes observing these practices when going to Disney.
And it will be the case until there’s a vaccine in place IF EVER Vaccines sometimes take YEARS/DECADES to develop. And they often are not 100% effective.
Also, Disney parks are private property, (other than Shanghai Disneyland, as Tom points out in the article,) so they can do whatever they want with their policies. The ‘right’ to not wear a mask ends at their front gate.
People frequently rant about things, calling them ‘rights’ when there is no such right. Reminds me of school kids whining about locker searches and their ‘right to privacy’ while as minors, there is no such thing. If Disney requires masks for entry, you’ll wear one or you won’t be allowed in. It’s that simple.
The simple ‘short and sweet’ on the mask issue is personal choice. The comments referencing the Asian populace wearing masks is common place. The reality is the ‘sick’ Asians are the ones who generally wear the masks not to spread the germs. Healthy citizens should not be REQUIRED to wear a mask period. Disney can recommend wearing masks but demanding all to wear them is wrong. The citizens that have been terrified by the media can wear masks if they want but don’t become ‘mask nazis’ toward the rest of us. Our family has been going to WDW for 30 years and we are DVC members. We have reservations this summer that will certainly be cancelled if masks are REQUIRED!
We just canceled our reservation for September because of the mask wearing all the time. It is to expensive a Vacation to not know what will be open like parades fireworks pools wine and food festival
Sorry, I meant to say “wearing them.” *** We are willing to do it in a store or medical office for a brief period of time, but not all day long, during our very pricey vacation in the summer heat. And I am so glad to see that many people here agree with me. In fact, it looks like majority does. Those advocating strict mask requirement seem to be the same names over and over, while people saying that they will cancel and not go are all different and many.
Yes, of course Disney as a private corporation makes all the decisions and requirements. However, it is not entirely true that we do not have any say in the matter, concerning both Disney and public places in general. United States is a democracy after all, not a totalitarian regime, thankfully. As with any corporation, Disney cares about their bottom line most of all. A lot of people commenting here said that they would not be coming and cancel their very expensive vacations, if masks were mandatory. If everyone cancels their trips and annual passes en masse, it may not “kill” Disney, but they will certainly feel the pain, and they are hurting financially already. I am inclined to think that they will make wearing of facial coverings a recommendation, perhaps after some brief initial period of requiring them, if they open at all this year. We just canceled out trip in July and are heartbroken about it. We looked forward to it for a long time. We did not reschedule as yet and may not, depending on our finances and situation. As far as masks, we will not be warning them and will not go if they are required.
It makes me laugh when I see this is America, land of the free and they can’t make us wear masks. As a matter of fact, it is a privately owned corporation and they can certainly require you to wear a mask. If you go in the park and don’t wear the mask, I am sure they will ask you to leave. Just as many say if you feel you have to wear a mask then stay home. Back at you – if you refuse to wear a mask at Disney Parks, then maybe YOU should stay home. Everyone is acting like they have a say in the matter. Plain and simple, you want to cancel your annual pass, then please do, You want to cancel your trip, then please do. This is a huge corporation worth over 100 billion. You cancelling your pass won’t kill them. I am sure and for every person that won’t go because of masks, there is another person willing to do it.
Just curious to know if those that advocate the wearing of masks at Disney and other places, ie stores, malls, etc: Do you also wear your masks while in your home? Isn’t it logical to conclude that if you are concerned about unintentionally spreading the virus to someone else, that you should be equally concerned with spreading it to your family members that live with you? What about while you are sleeping? Everyone exhales while sleeping (some more so and louder than others, including me!) Looks like a potential threat to your spouse and kids. While at Disney, when you get back to the resort room, will you take your mask off, thereby possibly exposing your family and friends to the virus? Just pointing out that at some point, even you will probably exhibit the very behavior you have labeled as selfish and rude.
I don’t imagine you seriously think everyone should wear masks in their house to protect their family, but I will let you know what people do to protect their family if they fear they have been exposed – and it often works.
If a family member has been exposed or is possibly infected, that person quarantines in one room for 14 days. No other family member has contact with them – meals are left outside their door etc. I believe if they must leave the quarantine room to use the bathroom/shower etc., they DO wear a mask in shared open spaces. That is what families do, to protect their family members inside their own homes.
Laura there is no poop in Disney pools. First it’s a health violation even without covid so that’s ridiculous. Disney has shut down kid pools on cruises if accident arises so fast ur head would spin. This acceptance of masks as a safety measure is ludicrous. It’s more likely to spread on any surface u touch then the likelihood of getting sneezed on. And unless ur eyes are closed u are still susceptible.
Wow…some of these comments. The whole “this is America” garbage goes both ways. As such, Disney can insist you wear the masks. If you don’t like it, don’t go. Last time I went to Disney, I saw a lot of older people there who would make great hosts for Covid19. As has often been said, it’s not about you but the people you may be unwittingly infecting.
This is so unfortunate. We refuse to wear a mask in general, and certainly not in 100 degree heat and humidity. Looks like we will be cancelling our Disney trip. The level of compliance in this country is what will cause it to fall. This is not about a virus. So sad.