After shutting its doorways for almost 5 months as Hong Kong confirmed its first coronavirus case, Disneyland Hong Kong reopened to the general public final week — however with new security precautions together with obligatory face masks for all company, temperature checks and protected distancing measures.CNBC attended its re-opening day to see how theme parks within the post-pandemic world would possibly appear like.Hong Kong Disneyland is just the second of Disney’s parks to reopen. It follows within the footsteps of Shanghai, which reopened its park final month at 30% capability, as a consequence of authorities mandates. Likewise, Hong Kong is working at a decreased capability. Nevertheless, a Hong Kong Disneyland spokesperson instructed CNBC that Shanghai’s capability is considerably decrease than its personal, however didn’t elaborate.Disneyland, Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disneyland are planning to reopen their parks in July with comparable measures. Likewise, Common Studios Parks & Resorts can also be progressively reopening in phases at restricted capability.Visitors arrive to Hong Kong Disneyland, after almost 5 months of the park being closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.Getty ImagesReservations to Disneyland Hong Kong should be made on-line at the least seven days upfront, together with a well being declaration.Dozens of employees members all through the park held indicators studying, “Please keep acceptable social distance.” Solid members, like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, at the moment are making cameos across the park, however as a consequence of social distancing measures, meet-and-greet occasions have been suspended.An worker at Hong Kong Disneyland.Getty ImagesYet, whilst theme parks reopen, a fast restoration is unlikely to occur anytime quickly, with economies contracting and unemployment at report ranges.The worldwide amusement parks sector is anticipated to shrink by 2.7% to $71.6 billion in 2020, in comparison with $73.5 billion a yr earlier than, in response to Analysis and Markets.In February, Disney mentioned it anticipated to lose as much as $175 million if its parks in Hong Kong and Shanghai remained closed for 2 months — which they did.So as to add to the challenges, Hong Kong Disneyland was already struggling earlier than the pandemic. Initially of 2020, the park introduced losses of greater than $13 million for the 2019 fiscal yr, as social unrest within the metropolis deterred guests to Hong Kong.Loyal theme park guests – or season move holders — have typically offered theme parks with a supply of recurring income stream lately, however that relationship may be underneath pressure amid tighter wallets and security issues.Till Covid-19 testing turns into ubiquitous and a vaccine is discovered, the stoop in guests to theme parks is anticipated to final for 2 years, in response to a Wells Fargo Securities report.An worker at Hong Kong Disneyland, following the park’s reopening.Getty Pictures
