Disney Theme Parks Will Lose Over 100 Million Visitors Over Next Two Years
With the theme parks reopening its easy to feel like its business as usual at the Walt Disney World and in a lot of ways it is! However, with reduced capacity and delayed reopenings its a given that theme park attendance will take a hit. And now, according to a recent piece in the Daily Mail DIsney stands to lose over 100 million visitors at the Florida parks alone over the next few years due to the coronavirus.
According to the piece, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom could see 97.7 million fewer visitors for 2020 and 2021 combined. This is based on a report by Wall Street analysts Cowen and Company. The report states, ‘With the spread of COVID-19 having accelerated in the US, we expect a prolonged impact to Disney’s parks.”
Photo: Kin Cheung/AP/Shutterstock
The report predicts that the impact that COVID-19 has on the theme parks may be felt all the way through 2025. This is the year that analysts are predicting Disney will bounce back from the pandemic and return to profitability.
When it comes to 2020, Disney theme parks will see a 47% drop in attendance. Next year will be a 35% drop in attendance according to the Cowen report. The analysis reads, ‘We had previously assumed that the spread of COVID-19 would be relatively halted with social distancing requirements significantly lessened by late 2020.” The report continues, ‘We have now extended that timeline out to at least mid-2021. The situation remains very fluid and we do not rule out the possibility that the impact could last even longer.’
Image Credit: Disney
For Disneyland in California, its more of the same. The Cowen reports a 32 million visitor drop over the next two years. As we previously reported here at MickeyBlog, in 2019, Disneyland reported 18.7 million visitors. However this year that’s expected to drop to a staggering 6.4 million. It should also be noted that the theme parks in Disneyland will remain closed until further notice.
(Matt Stroshane, photographer)
If you’ve been following along with MickeyBlog then you know that ALL of Walt Disney World’s four theme parks are currently open! However, safety measures have been put into place including mandatory mask wearing at the theme parks, in resort common areas and at Disney Springs. Last week we reported that Disney officials also had to update their mask wearing policy telling guests that the ONLY time masks can be removed at the theme parks is when guests are stationary and eating.
(David Roark, photographer)
It should be noted that the Disney parks also have stringent requirements when it comes to what constitutes a proper face mask. As we’ve previously reported here at MickeyBlog, bandanas, scarves and neck gaiters are not permitted nor are costume masks. In addition, masks must be made with at least two layers of breathable material and fully cover the nose and mouth. They must also be secured with ties or ear straps.
Photo: Catie McCabe
It should be noted that the spread of COVID-19 in Florida and California is ongoing. In Florida another 9,785 cases were reported today bringing the total number of cases in the state to 379,619. Yesterday in California the state reported its highest number with 13,000 new cases that brings the number of cases in the state to 409,000.
As of going to print there are over 3.9 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US with a death total of 143,000. This is a story that we’ll continue to follow closely here at MickeyBlog so keep checking in with us for further news and updates.
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Source: Daily Mail
