Chapek Predicts One of the Biggest Issues When It Comes To Reopening the Parks – MASKS!
As businesses across the country slowly start to reopen, Disney is focusing on a strategy to get both Disneyland and Walt Disney World up and running. If you’ve been following along with MickeyBlog then you know that Disney Springs will be opening its gates in just two days – May 20th. During this time, Disney will be testing out various safety protocols to keep people safe while the threat of COVID-19 still remains.
Some of the steps being taken include temperature screenings, social distancing in shops and restaurants, enhanced sanitation procedures and one other issue which Chapek says could prove problematic. Yes. That’s right, all guests visiting Disney Spring are expected to wear facemasks!
A Deseret News reminds us, this is one area that could prove particularly tricky for Disney. During an interview on CNBC last week, Chapek suggested that the park may struggle with getting people to wear masks.
Last week, Shanghai Disneyland officially opened to the public. It holds the distinction of being the first theme park to open after Disney theme parks worldwide were shuttered due to COVID-19. Similar changes to those expected at Disney Springs were implemented including the use of face masks and covering for guests. Though people in China are taking these new protocols in stride, Chapek is realistic about the process being a bit bumpier at the US parks.
Photo: Marc Piasecki/Getty Images
During his interview with CNBC Chapek said,, “I think that the masks for the guests will be something that culturally is, is different. In Asia, as you know, it’s fairly commonplace, even before COVID for folks to walk around in public with masks on. That is not the case in the U.S.”
And from all accounts, he wouldn’t be wrong. As the Deseret News points out, “there has been something of a culture war surrounding whether people should be required to wear masks.” As a matter of fact the newspaper recently reported on a study that found that more men than women object to wearing face coverings. People are concerned about how they’ll be seen and perceived wearing them. According to the study “Men more than women agree that wearing a face-covering is shameful, not cool, a sign of weakness and a stigma,” the study authors wrote.
Photo Credit: Orange County Register, Disney
So will people mask up at Disney Springs this week? The way this safety protocol is responded to at Disney Springs has the ability to shape Disney’s plans to reopen theme parks on both coasts. It’s something we’ll be watching closely over the next week so keep following along with MickeyBlog.
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