On January 24, Shanghai Disneyland announced the park would be closing for the foreseeable future as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly four months later, Shanghai Disneyland will be reopening with "enhanced health and safety measures" on May 11.
According to a press release, the theme park will open with "limited attendance and required advanced ticketing and reservations, accommodating social distancing in queues, restaurants, ride vehicles and other facilities throughout the park, and implementing increased frequency of sanitization and disinfection."
In addition to those measures, all children's play areas, theater shows, parades, and nighttime spectaculars will remain closed to accommodate social distancing guidelines. There will, however, be one special character parade shown multiple times a day during the first phase of reopening. The Enchanted Storybook Castle will also light up and play music at dusk each day for the Evening Magical Moment.
"We will implement new and enhanced health and safety measures reflecting the guidance of our local health and government authorities," Joe Schott, President and General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort, wrote on the Disney Parks Blog. " While some things will look a little different, know that that a magical experience awaits you at Shanghai Disneyland. Now, more than ever, Shanghai Disney Resort is a special place for families and fans to create joyful memories and celebrate being together once again."
In the blog post, Schott reminds readers that Shanghai Disney Resort took its first steps towards reopening in early March. Two months after those first steps, they'll be opening the park itself. Schott also wrote that "the rest of the Disney family at our other parks around the world also are busy preparing for reopening," however he did not give any specifics about those timelines. "When the time is right, they will be able to once again welcome guests – to explore and play, and to enjoy the lands of adventure, fantasy, tomorrow and imagination together," Schott concluded.
Photo: Getty