Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer Issues A Statement On Park Reopenings

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

When will the parks reopen? That’s the #1 question these days! We do know Shanghai Disneyland is scheduled to reopen on May 11. You can view all of those details here. We have yet, however, to receive an official reopen date for Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The exciting news is we have received an official statement from Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Pamela Hymel.

The official statement from Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Pamela Hymel is as follow:

Dear Guests,

As you may have heard at Disney’s Q2 FY20 Earnings Results Webcast, our CEO Bob Chapek announced that Shanghai Disney Resort will begin the phased reopening of Shanghai Disneyland on May 11 – an encouraging sign for Disney parks and retail locations all over the world. After so much time at home, I know many of you are eager to enjoy the magic of a Disney parks visit, and we can’t wait to welcome you back.

I’m fortunate to work with Disney’s extraordinarily talented team of health and safety experts who are some of the most experienced in the industry. Together, with our colleagues in operations, and local health and government authorities, we’re evaluating several new and enhanced safety measures to do our part towards helping us stay well while we work, stay, and play at a Disney resort and a Disney store. I’m also working closely with the US Travel Association on a set of guidelines the travel industry may tailor to their individual businesses to help demonstrate that safety of travelers is a top focus.

To that end, I want to share an update with you about our plans and considerations as we prepare for the reopening of our parks, resorts and stores. At Disney, we’re exploring:

  • 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.

These are just a few examples of the many areas we are developing plans for, so please keep an eye on our online channels, where we’ll provide more details as we confirm and begin to implement our plans. Given the constantly changing global health environment, these practices may evolve as we consider the latest guidance, but we will share more information with you as we look towards reopening.

In the meantime, our focus remains on the health and safety of the entire Disney community – including the wellbeing of the Cast Members who are caring for and securing our parks and resorts during the closure. We have already implemented a number of enhanced health and safety measures, such as increasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfection in work areas, adjusting practices to promote physical distancing, and providing Cast with access to necessary PPE, including face coverings. We continue to learn from these experiences and will carry these lessons into reopening and beyond.

Finally, I want to recognize the medical professionals working to bring care and comfort in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. We will continue to do what we can to help support the medical community and our local communities during this time.

We’re looking forward to welcoming all of you back to our Disney parks, resorts and stores. Until we are together once again, we wish you and your families health, hope, and happiness.

Thank you,

Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Pamela Hymel

Colors Of Spring @ Disney Parks Around The World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

May has arrived! While we’re unable to visit the parks right now, thanks to DisneyParksBlog, we can still see a glimpse of Spring in full bloom at Disney Parks around the world. Check out this special collection of new and past favorite Disney springtime images right from the comfort of your home.

Hong Kong Disneyland

A journey through the enchanted Fairy Tale Forest and other areas at Hong Kong Disneyland is breathtaking in spring. Fairy Tale Forest is a whimsical garden featuring classic Disney Fairytales as living storybooks.

Disneyland

At Disneyland Resort, the flowers are bright and beautiful — from Fantasyland to Cars Land, including a strikingly colorful entrance to Disneyland park.

Shanghai Disney Resort

Nature blooms in vivid color this time of year at Shanghai Disney Resort, as cherry and plum blossoms, apple floral archways, tulips, roses and more transform the landscape into a fantastic natural wonderland.

Disneyland Paris

At Disneyland Paris, lush, colorful flowers spiral out from the hub of Disneyland Park at the foot of Sleeping Beauty Castle, better known here as Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant.

Even at Walt Disney Studios Park, guests are greeted with lively poppies at the feet of one of only five Partners statues around the world depicting Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse together.

Castaway Cay

And at Castaway Cay, which is reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests, the island is a Bahamian paradise during spring with stunning plants and trees.

Walt Disney World Resort

The start of May at Walt Disney World Resort is also when our whimsical character topiaries come to life.  The selection of horticulture spring masterpieces at EPCOT usually include new characters and returning favorites. 

Cliffs of Moher (Ireland)

This time of year, a favorite Adventures by Disney vacation spot  – the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland – will give you goose-bumps with breathtaking flowers in an area of immense natural beauty.  

Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa

And at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, the gorgeous landscape is filled with plants and brilliant green trees and offers unforgettable scenes of beauty. 

We hope you enjoy this special look at the colors of spring at Disney parks around the world and remember, “The wonders of nature are endless,” Walt Disney. 

Toy Story Sunrise Views From Parks Around The World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Hollywood Studios

Hello Sunshine! Toy Story continues to be a popular favorite and will likely continue to be just as loved for years to come. Check out these inspiring sunrise views below from DisneyParskBlog featuring Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story at Disney parks and resorts around the world!   

Whether it’s glimmering sun rays filtering through Toy Soldier Parachute Drop at Hong Kong Disneyland or brilliant light rising above Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure park, each location has its own spectacular morning views with a touch of Toy Story magic.  Here are favorites from the archives: 

Toy Story Mania – Tokyo Disney

Pixar Pier – Disneyland

Toy Story Hotel – Shanghai Disney

Toy Story Playland – Disneyland Paris

Toy Story Land – Walt Disney World

Toy Story Land – Hong Kong Disneyland

From our Toy Story sunrises to yours, good morning and as Woody would say, “reach for the sky” this magical Monday.  And remember – “The important thing is that we stick together.” – Buzz Lightyear 

Disney Celebrates Earth Month Through The Magic Of Nature

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

April is an exciting time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! April celebrates Earth Month which of course means Disney gets wrapped up in the magic of nature! Even though we can’t be together in the parks this Earth Month, Disney is bringing the beauty of nature right into our homes. Check out the details below from DisneyParksBlog:

This Earth Month, we look to nature to bring hope and inspiration during these unprecedented times. Throughout April, we will be sharing the Magic of Nature with you and your family, unifying Disney fans and animal lovers, and inspiring environmental stewards to celebrate and draw magic from the incredible world around us.

Conservation and protecting the environment is an important priority across Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and I’m proud that we put this philosophy into practice every day in the work that we do. From taking care of thousands of animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and across Walt Disney World Resort, to conserving water resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and waste across our business, we constantly work to not only share, but protect the magic of nature.

Going into the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, I encourage you to take a moment to pause and reflect on our brilliant planet, appreciating all of its natural wonders. Whether it is learning something new about animals and ecosystems through Disney Magic Moments and NatGeo@Home, or simply admiring the world around us, we can all be inspired by our planet. And to help inspire this wonder and magic, I am thrilled to launch a new series, #AskDrMark, on my Instagram, @DrMarkAtDisney. I am so lucky to have an amazing team of really smart people who can help answer your burning questions and curiosities about wildlife and the environment.

Want to learn more about the work Disney is doing around the world to promote and protect the magic of nature? Check out some favorite Disney Parks Blog posts through the years:

2 Yrs Before Disney Parks Attendance Levels Recovers, Says Analysts

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

While the Disney Parks were pretty much packed right up until their inevitable closure in the lead-up to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with new social distancing guidelines in place and even the prospect of potential temperature checks to enter the parks, it seems guests will have a whole new set of factors to worry about when planning for their next Disney vacation. In fact, some analysts are claiming that Disney Parks may take up to two years to normalize in terms of park attendance after the COVID-19 crisis subsides.

In a piece by The Hollywood Reporter, Wells Fargo analyst Steven Cahall claims that Disney Parks will take two years to return to normal attendance in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cahall told investors, “We don’t think Parks can get back to anything close to full capacity until testing and/or vaccines are far more ubiquitous.” Cahall expects “zero park attendance” for the latter half of fiscal 2020 and only 50% capacity in fiscal 2021. For reference, Disney’s current fiscal year should end around September/October. As it stands, Wells Fargo is projecting that the current closures will last until at least then.

In a recent interview with Barron’s, former CEO Bob Iger mentioned that the company is already in talks to ensure that guests feel as safe and comfortable as possible once the parks re-open. Iger noted, “Just as we now do bag checks for everybody that goes into our parks, it could be that at some point we add a component of that that takes people’s temperatures, as a for-instance.”

Currently, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort are closed “until further notice.” The few essential Cast Members still working security, animal care, and maintenance at Walt Disney World are now allowed to wear face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19.