When Disney World reopened last summer, much had changed about the parks.
Welcome to the Magic Kingdom
The parks introduced a new mask requirement for guests over 2 years of age (a policy that continues to evolve), temperature checks, social distancing, and limited capacity. Also, park pass reservations were required for entering the theme parks.
Now, a year later, many of these policies are still in place, but the situation continues to change as more vaccinations roll out and recommended health guidelines are revised. So what does this mean for the post-crisis future of Disney World? In an interview with Bloomberg, Disney CEO Bob Chapek answered some related questions.
Main Street, U.S.A.
During the interview, the Bloomberg reporter asked Chapek about how long new systems will remain in place even as the global health crisis is mitigated. She asked, “What are some of the new technologies that you’ve used over the last year that you think might stick around post-pandemic? Will temperature screenings continue, for example? Will you use the reservation system a lot more?”
Temperature Check
Chapek did not provide exact information on how long temperature screenings will continue. He did mention masks, temperature checks, hygiene, and social distancing; but was speaking to their implementation in the parks so far without comment on how long any of that may stick around.
So far, information on how long these measures might be in place has been sparse. During the closure of all the Disney parks, Disney Chairman Bob Iger compared temperature checks to baggage screening that was implemented after 9/11. This statement seems to look at this as a long-term implementation, but it will likely depend on consumer outlooks and guidelines from health officials in a post-pandemic world.
Health Signage
As for masks and social distancing, Chapek recently mentioned that these health measures are expected to remain required in Disney World through the remainder of 2021. Still, this all depends on vaccine rollout and guidance from officials.
Click here to read more about Chapek’s mask comments.
During the Bloomberg interview, Chapek did make a specific comment about Disney’s theme park reservation system. He said, “We’re also going to be introducing a new reservation system that’s going to enable our guests to have a great time no matter when they choose to come to Disney.”
Of course, a reservation system has been in place for Disney World and the international theme parks since they each opened. The “new reservation system” that Chapek mentions could be referring to the upcoming system for the reopening of Disneyland. Still, a specific mention means it’s possible that the theme park reservation system will stick around. For example, you can already make park pass reservations for 2022.
Spaceship Earth
As for tangible responses to the question about what might stick around after the pandemic, Chapek noted that teams are hard at work developing operational systems for after the pandemic, but did not mention specifics.
He mentioned that when Disney Parks do “re-emerge,” they will do so in a way that will improve the guest experience even from before the closures. He acknowledged that the situation has taught Disney some new lessons about how to work under constraints, but still deliver the Disney experience guests expect at the parks.
Cinderella Castle
He said, “But we’ve gotten even better and better at it, and I think it’s going to create a reemergence scenario where magic is going to be greater for our guests when they do come back to our parks.”
Chapek’s comments give us a little bit of a hint of what to expect for the future of Disney parks. And as always, we’ll continue to follow the situation at the parks and let you know what we find out!
What You NEED to Know About Disneyland’s Face Mask Policies
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As long as the joy on a child’s face is hidden behind a mask, Disney will feel like a different, less magical place for parents and families.
I wish they would have asked about FP and if anything will officially replace the magic express.
The Magical Express is important. Why not provide it at a cost? $10 – $15 per person each way would be in line. It would be much easier than arranging your own transportation. Plus, if done right, I could be a profit maker for WDW. There are plenty of buses available!!!
With the train delayed until possibly 2025, it is highly unlikely that Disney will not re-establish the Magical Express service as a perk for resort guests. With so may of the past perks taken back, and the huge increases in ticket prices and at resort stays, they are going to need to do something to keep the over 25,000 rooms on site full. they just cant gaffing the guests…
Please reinstate the fastpass program. Thank you.
I don’t mind the park reservations but really wish the fast pass system would return. All the fun and magic is gone having to wait over an hour for the more popular rides.
Decision reservation system is getting to the point where it’s a nuisance.
They are charging an arm and a leg for park hopper tickets but you can’t use it till after 2pm. When most parks are closing at 6pm this is practically un-usable.
As for AP holders… My wide and I won’t buy one again until they get ride of the reservation system. And ibknow a lot of people who will not even return to Disney until its gone.
It’s the small things that made it magical. Those things are grossly overshadowed if not wiped away by the complications of overcrowding, scheduling and the cut-backs that Disney ‘bean counters’ have implemented.
What ever form they may take, reservations are not going to bring back magic. Temp checks and masks aren’t the real problem.
A lot of us have one week or less to spend on vacation. Why spend what Disney wants if you can’t enjoy everything that made it convenient, educational and fun? Every thing that Walt Disney wanted it to be.
There are a lot of alternatives with less stress just down the block.
I think the next thing to go will be the temperature checks. Now that the CDC has changed the social distancing rules for schools has been reduced to 3 feet that will be next. We have been to WDW 5 times since July and for all practical purposes it is already 3 feet. It is even less on the dock after getting off the ferry from Ticket and Transportation Center at the Magic Kingdom
Agree. No masks and FP are my two major wishes by the time I visit December 2021! Will be fourth time I had to reschedule! Smiles on “old”people faces need to be seen too!
The only real information I’m waiting for is -1. When the mask restrictions have been lifted,2 When the resorts and parks have returned to pre COVID-19 standards. When items 1 and 2 have been fulfilled all I need to know is what are my options to travel from MCO to my resort and the return? Don’t worry I know the price has increased the last year
I agree that Disney has learned to work under constraints. I’d have to disagree, though, on the “still deliver the Disney experience guests expect at the parks” part of the claim. We usually go to WDW every year, but this will be the last one for us. We’re only still going because the trip was already paid for, so there was too much to lose.
Most of the restaurants we love are closed. We’ve had a heck of a time getting reservations at the ones that are open, even in the morning of the 60-day mark. Too many are competing for too fewer restaurants that have even fewer reservations than before due to social distancing.
Most of the shows are closed. There aren’t any fireworks anymore. No FastPass. No meet & greets. They’ll soon be getting rid of the popular Magical Express. Boardwalk is a ghost town. Park hours are almost half what they used to be. But Disney, not surprisingly, not only isn’t lowering prices to compensate for the diminished experiences, it actually RAISED ticket prices.
So where’s the Disney experience we still expect? Where’s the magic?
Don’t know if I will ever return to the most Magical Place on Earth. I can’t see myself spending thousands of my dollars and not be able to go where I want when I want! It’s really ashamed!
Temperature check in my state are already gone.
And masks in govt building also not mandatory anymore.