Theme park reviewer Jessica Brambilla of Sarasota discusses the possible July re-opening of Disney World and how the park will operate differently.
SARASOTA, FL / MAY 29, 2020 / Florida theme parks are planning reopening dates following closures due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Walt Disney World, a park that reigns as one of the largest and most popular tourist attractions in the world, is set to reopen in the coming months. If all goes according to the company’s plan, the park will be open in mid-July. Theme park reviewer Jessica Brambilla of Sarasota recently discussed the park’s opening and changes that visitors can expect to see.
“Those who have visited Walt Disney World in the past will see things operating a lot differently this year and possibly in the years to come,” Jessica Brambilla of Sarasota said.
According to Jessica Brambilla of Sarasota and other theme park experts, social distancing will be required of all who visit this park and others in the coming months. The park will likely regulate attendance and designate certain employees entirely for enforcing social distancing requirements. Jessica Brambilla of Sarasota added that face masks are expected to be mandatory.
“Disney executives want the park to be open for visitors to enjoy this summer, but they don’t want to risk spreading this pandemic further,” Jessica Brambilla of Sarasota said.
Jessica Brambilla of Sarasota described a New York Times article in which Disney’s chief executive Bob Chapek explained that the company is taking the reopening slowly and extremely cautiously for fear of having to backtrack in the future. Jessica Brambilla of Sarasota explained that visitors can expect to be forced to follow certain protocols to have access to the park. She described that theme parks likely won’t have optional mask-wearing until task forces deem it safe to do so.
“The park is also going to be a lot more empty for those who visit,” Jessica Brambilla of Sarasota said. “It is expected the park will open at just 20- to 30-percent capacity at first.”
Jessica Brambilla of Sarasota explained that this is to maintain social distancing, which is nearly impossible when the park is operating near capacity. According to Jessica Brambilla of Sarasota and other theme park experts, popular events, like parades and fireworks will be canceled until large gatherings are safe and acceptable again.
“We should know more about reopening dates and times next week,” Jessica Brambilla of Sarasota said. “While all of us in the theme park industry are a bit nervous, we’re excited to return to the parks and attractions we love, even if it means followinga few additional safety precautions.”
