Shanghai Disneyland is now officially the only Disney theme park in the world that is operating. And though the surprise announcement earlier this month about this park’s imminent opening may have initially come as a shock, Shanghai Disney Resort has been preparing to once again welcome guests for weeks, and has put some interesting measures in place to help keep guests safe during their visit to the park and resort.
1. Characters now meet guests “from a distance”
Obviously characters are a big part of the Disney parks experience, and in an effort to keep guests engaged with their favorite princesses, Marvel Super Heroes, and more, Shanghai Disneyland has implemented a new policy where characters march through the park in little mini processions where guests can see them. However, Cast Members will be there to remind guests not to approach the characters.
In addition, characters have also been seen posing from stages throughout the park where guests can see and take pictures of them, but not interact directly with them. In front of these little stages guests are required to stand on small taped off squares which act as viewing “seats” which not only keep guests away from the characters but also away from each other as well.
This same “seats” guests management strategy is used during a trimmed-down version of Shanghai Disneyland’s daytime parade Mickey’s Storybook Express, which now features a much shorter route.
2. Capacity is EXTREMELY low
Tickets to Shanghai Disneyland’s first reopening day sold out in moments, and though the park was technically “full” on its opening day, you’d never know it from walking around, as capacity was EXTREMELY limited, with wait times for attractions staying mainly between 5-10 minutes for the full operating day, and the majority of long queues standing fairly empty due to the low amount of guests in the park.
3. Markers are placed throughout queues to keep guests apart, but there’s not much enforcement
And speaking of queues, Disney has taped down special signs in the majority of queues designed to keep parties apart from each other. And though most queues are relatively empty due to the park’s low capacity, it seems like, at least for the short term, Disney is relying on the honor system for guests to space themselves apart, as there aren’t very many Cast Members in the queues making sure guests are staying apart.
4. Masks are required, and guests are keeping them on
In order to visit Shanghai Disney Resort, all guests must wear a mask during their entire visit to the theme park (except when dining), and from what we’ve seen so far, all guests are complying with this policy. In addition, all non-costumed Cast Members are also wearing facemasks as well in an effort to keep everyone as safe as possible during their visit to the theme park.
Right now it looks like Shanghai Disney Resort could be something of a test case for theme park reopenings, as this type of restricted entry and social distancing inside the theme park may serve as a model for other Disney theme parks around the world if it ends up being successful. While Shanghai Disney Resort may have fewer parks than Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort, we may see a similar phased rollout with retail locations like Disney Springs and Downtown Disney reopening first, followed by hotels, and then eventually theme parks, all while implementing the same kinds of social distancing practices.
As always, while this situation is evolving, all theme park fans should check out the CDC’s official site here, which has information on the virus and how to prevent its spread.
Theme Park Tourist COVID-19 Complete Coverage: Disney Pushes Back Reservation Dates and Cancels Dining Deal I SeaWorld Offers Free Upgrades as Plans Come Together for Theme Park Reopening I Disney Quietly Pushes Back “Best Case” Reopening Dates for Theme Parks Around the World I Disney Releases Statement Outlining Reopening Plans in the United States I Shanghai Disneyland Officially Reopening May 11
