Visitors in face masks streamed into Shanghai Disneyland as the theme park reopened Monday.
One of the biggest challenges in reopening Disney World and Disneyland will likely be visitors adjusting to wearing masks in the hot summer weather, Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Chapek said Monday in a CNBC interview.
CNBC interviewed Chapek about theme parks and other topics, asking him point-blank whether Disney World could return in July.
Chapek declined to comment on that, saying the company is working with state and local leaders as well as medical professionals to decide when it’s safe to resume operations.
A Wall Street analyst predicted last week it’s possible for Orlando to reopen its theme parks July 22 as Shanghai Disneyland returned Monday and Disney Springs, the shopping and restaurant complex in Orlando, is starting to bring back some businesses May 20.
Chapek acknowledged, “It is a good sign Disney Springs is going to open in Orlando.”
In Shanghai, almost all the limited available tickets are sold for this week, Chapek said.
“Essentially, everything is gone,” Chapek said. “This is really indicative, I think, of the love consumers have for our brand across the world.”
Shanghai’s phased-in opening, which Chapek called a “baby step,” shows many Disney fans are craving normalcy and returning to the parks, he said.
The Chinese theme park, which is operating at less than 30% capacity, plans to eventually grow the crowds by 5,000 more visitors each week, Chapek told CNBC.
“We’re moving slowly, but we’re very encouraged by what we see in Shanghai,” Chapek said.
CNBC asked Chapek if Disney parks could ever open at 100% in a post-coronavirus world.
That would depend on Disney operations and guest behavior together, Chapek said.
“We’re going to do our part, and we need guests to do their part too,” he said.
To see the full interview, go to CNBC.