Employees stand at the gates of the Shanghai Disney Resort, which announced that it will be closed indefinitely from Saturday, in Shanghai, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. China’s most festive holiday began in the shadow of a worrying new virus Saturday as the death toll surpassed 40, an unprecedented lockdown that kept people from traveling was expanded to more than 50 million residents and authorities canceled a host of Lunar New Year events. (AP Photo/Fu Ting)
Employees stand at the gates of the Shanghai Disney Resort, which announced that it will be closed indefinitely from Saturday, in Shanghai, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. China’s most festive holiday began in the shadow of a worrying new virus Saturday as the death toll surpassed 40, an unprecedented lockdown that kept people from traveling was expanded to more than 50 million residents and authorities canceled a host of Lunar New Year events. (AP Photo/Fu Ting) AP
Herb Scribner
By Herb Scribner
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Disney announced Tuesday that its Shanghai park will be the first of its theme parks to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic.

  • Shanghai Disney Resort will reopen on May 11.
  • The parks would start with a “phased reopening process” that would include “the opening of some retail, dining, and entertainment experiences at Disneytown, Wishing Star Park and the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel,” according to Joe Schott, the president and general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort.
  • The parks will “implement new and enhanced health and safety measures reflecting the guidance of our local health and government authorities,” according to Schott.
  • “While some things will look a little different, know that that a magical experience awaits you at Shanghai Disneyland. Now, more than ever, Shanghai Disney Resort is a special place for families and fans to create joyful memories and celebrate being together once again,” he wrote in a blog post for Disney Parks.

Context:

  • The announcement came after Shanghai saw people return to their normal lives. Shops, restaurants, schools and workplaces have all opened up in recent days, leading to the Disney decision to reopen the park.
  • Schott said other Disney parks are preparing to reopen, too. He did not announce any dates for those parks to reopen.
  • “When the time is right, they will be able to once again welcome guests — to explore and play, and to enjoy the lands of adventure, fantasy, tomorrow and imagination together,” he said.

What about U.S. parks?

  • Dr. Pamela Hymel, the Disney Parks chief medical officer, wrote a blog post for Disney Parks about what Disney is considering for its reopening plan in the U.S., including a phased reopening process where retail and restaurants would open first.
  • Hymel said the parks would follow governmental and medical guidelines, which might include face covering requirements and social distancing between rides.
  • “We’re looking forward to welcoming all of you back to our Disney parks, resorts and stores,” she wrote. “Until we are together once again, we wish you and your families health, hope, and happiness.”
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