Florida Vs. California: Disney World Reportedly Still Plans To Reopen, While Disneyland Staying Closed

TOPLINE

Disney World is continuing to push forward with plans to reopen its theme parks next month, according to a report, even as new coronavirus cases have hit record highs in Florida, workers are petitioning to keep the parks closed and Disneyland, its West Coast counterpart, is staying closed indefinitely.

KEY FACTS

BIG NUMBER

58 million. That’s how many visitors Disney World says make a trip to the resort in an average year, and its four theme parks are among the five most visited in the world. 

CRITICAL QUOTE

“If Disneyland has postponed, it is unclear how Walt Disney World can responsibly move toward reopening when coronavirus cases are much worse in Florida,” Mary McColl, executive director of Actors’ Equity Association, said in a statement.

KEY BACKGROUND

Coronavirus cases have rapidly increased recently in Florida and California, and both states have reported record highs in new cases over the past few days, as have several others in the South and the West. Other popular theme parks in the Orlando area, namely Universal Studios and SeaWorld, have already reopened to the public, though their visitor numbers are far less than Disney World. Some Disney World areas outside the theme parks have reopened, though. The Disney Springs shopping area, previously called Downtown Disney is now open, and its Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground reopened on Monday.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR 

When Disney parks do reopen, there will be much stricter health and hygiene procedures in place than what visitors had been used to. Disney says all guests will be required to have a temperature screening before entering the park, while all visitors over the age of 2 will have to wear a face mask.

FURTHER READING

Disneyland’s reopening delayed, but Disney World plans still on schedule, company says (Orlando Sentinel)

Disney Workers: Please Don’t Reopen U.S. Theme Parks (Forbes)

New Coronavirus Cases In U.S. Hit Highest Level Since April (Forbes)