Bob Iger Mentions Temperature Checks and Other Updates from the Walt Disney Company in Post-Coronavirus World
As you can imagine, there are going to be some changes at Disney Parks once the current Coronavirus crisis begins to wind down. Bog Iger recently gave an interview to Barrons.com giving us a glimpse on what we can expect when the Parks reopen and updates on other aspects of the Walt Disney Company.
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Bob Iger Remains Optimistic
Bog Iger starts off the interview with an optimistic tone with a touch of realism. He knows that these are hard times for everyone in the Walt Disney Company just like they are around the world. However, he also knows that the products they offer is something people around the world will always want and crave, now more than ever.
He states, “So, long-term, not to make light of this, what we offer, in terms of people’s time, is and always will be, and always has been, extremely appreciated and attractive. So I don’t mean to in any way suggest a this-too-shall-pass attitude, because this is obviously the biggest business interruption we’ve faced. But we know when it ends that we will have things for the public to enjoy and to escape to, maybe in ways they will appreciate more than they ever have.”
He continues to say, “You also have hope that it will end eventually, and that when it does, that at some point, we’ll be looking at a return to business as usual, even if we know that’s a ways away. More importantly, you have to have empathy for what everyone is experiencing, not just our customers, but certainly our people.”
What to Expect When the Parks Reopen
As mentioned, there will be some noticeable changes to the Parks once they do begin reopening after the main threat of the Coronavirus passes. In the interview, Bob Iger notes that until a vaccine is made readily available, things will be a little different in a post-Coronavirus world. Executives are looking to China to see how they are handling things while re-opening their part of the world. One noticeable change could be that temperature checks will be the new normal – just like how bag checks are now.
He states, “Just as we now do bag checks for everybody that goes into our parks, it could be that at some point we add a component of that that takes people’s temperatures, as a for-instance.”
In reference to studying what China is doing, Iger states, “We’re studying very carefully what China has been trying to do in terms of their return to normalcy. And one of the things that’s obvious is they’ve conscripted a large segment of their population to monitor others in terms of their health. You can’t get on a bus or a subway or a train or enter a high-rise building there—and I’m sure this will be the case when their schools reopen—without having your temperature taken.”
9/11 brought changes to how the Parks operate. Guests demanded new procedures from Disney to feel as that extra level of security was taken place. This is why extra health-related steps will be implemented once the Parks reopen.
Status of Disney Films in Production
As we have reported, there have been some drastic changes to when new Disney films would be released and how they would be released thanks to the Coronavirus. Bog Iger reminds us that the Disney-Pixar movie, “Onward,” was just released into theaters right when the Coronavirus in the United States was starting to take off. Since then, it has already been added to Disney+ – much quicker than it normally would. In addition, “Frozen 2” was supposed to premiere on the streaming service this Summer, but is already live.
But, the changes don’t stop there. Upcoming releases including “Mulan” and the “Jungle Book” along with some Marvel movies have had their theater premiere dates pushed back. Another big change during this crisis, is that the movie “Artemis Fowl,” will go straight to Disney+ and skip movie theaters all together.
Bobg Iger Gives Financial Status of the Company during the Coronavirus Crisis
In the interview, Bob Iger states that the Company is in a good position during this economic downturn during from the Coronavirus crisis. However, this doesn’t mean forever and Disney has already taken action such as furloughs as well as executive level pay cuts to save on costs.
Iger also stated, “I don’t think we’re ever going to see a return to business as usual in the sense that, I can’t speak for all companies, but Disney will take this opportunity to look for ways to run our businesses more efficiently when we come back. So what we’re doing is thinking, OK, as things start to return, one, what must we address in terms of making people feel safe, but secondly, what must we address in terms of running the company more efficiently, given what we believe business conditions will dictate.”
To read the full Barrons.com interview with Bog Iger about the Coronavirus crisis, please CLICK HERE.
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Source Credit: Barrons.com
