Disney Announces Plan to Reopen Theme Parks

Walt Disney Co. announced this week the reopening of its Disneyland theme park and California Adventure park on July 17, pending state and local government approvals. The Burbank entertainment and media giant said that it will manage the attendance through a new reservation system because the parks’ capacity will be limited to comply with governmental requirements and to promote social distancing. The Downtown Disney district will reopen on July 9, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel plans to reopen on July 23. At Disneyland, certain experiences that draw large group gatherings — such as parades and nighttime spectaculars — will return later. While character meet-and-greets will be temporarily unavailable, characters will be in the parks in new ways to entertain and delight guests, the company said. Disney closed its Disneyland Resort and California Adventure theme parks on March 14 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro said that as one of the first theme park operators to close its parks, Disney has been deliberate about keeping the health and safety of its employees, guests and local communities top of mind. “And as we look forward to bringing our cast members back to work, and welcoming you back as cherished guests — we know it will take all of us working together responsibly to recapture the magic,” D’Amaro said in a statement. The announcement of the reopening was made on Wednesday. Shares of Disney closed Thursday down $7.81, or 9.5 percent, to $112.64 on the New York Stock Exchange on a day when the Dow plunged 6.9 percent.