We went inside Hong Kong Disneyland’s reopening. Here is what we noticed

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 visitors, temperature checks and secure distancing measures.

CNBC attended its re-opening day to see how theme parks within the post-pandemic world would possibly seem 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, because 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 be step by step reopening in phases at restricted capability.

Reservations to Disneyland Hong Kong have to be made on-line a minimum of seven days upfront, together with a well being declaration.

Dozens of employees members all through the park held indicators studying, “Please keep applicable social distance.” 

Forged members, like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, at the moment are making cameos across the park, however because of social distancing measures, meet-and-greet occasions have been suspended.

But, 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 predicted to shrink by 2.7% to $71.6 billion in 2020, in comparison with $73.5 billion a 12 months earlier than, in accordance with Analysis and Markets.

In February, Disney stated 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 12 months, as social unrest within the metropolis deterred guests to Hong Kong.

Loyal theme park guests – or season cross holders — have typically supplied theme parks with a supply of recurring income stream in recent times, however that relationship could also be below 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 predicted to final for 2 years, in accordance with a Wells Fargo Securities report.