Disney Parks executives are pushing for California to reopen its Disneyland theme park.
We are still are in the #coronavirus pandemic with no vaccine, ever-changing information, and no secure guidance, but three Disney executives want California officials to allow the reopening of Disneyland, which would potentially put visitors at risk of catching COVID-19. The theme park can fit at least 100,000 people, including visitors, actors, and other theme park employees.
The park was shut down on March 16 in response to the coronavirus. But on Tuesday, Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney parks, experiences, and products, suggested during a Tuesday stakeholder webcast that parks should reopen. The meeting was called for the execs to speak their piece on when the park should start business back up. D’Amaro’s argument was that the theme park sector of the economy has been neglected compared to other sectors of the state economy, Variety reports.
“To our California government officials, particularly at the state level: I encourage you to treat theme parks like you would other sectors and help us reopen,” D’Amaro said. “We need guidelines that are fair and equitable so we can better understand our future and chart a path toward reopening.” He continued: “The longer we wait, the more devastating the impact will be to the Orange County and Anaheim communities and to the tens of thousands of people who rely on us for employment,” he added. “With the right guidelines and our years of operations experience, I am confident that we can restart and get people back to work.”
On September 15, California governor #GavinNewsom said that theme park restrictions may be lifted soon but did not detail any specific location. “We will be making announcements soon as it relates to theme parks and amusement parks. Very, very shortly.”City officials reached out to Newsom on September 15, asking for them to be allowed to reopen, highlighting that they have lost $100 million in earnings since the park has been closed. Officials used Florida as one of their reasons why the park should be reopened. Disney World opened back up in March. “As you can see from this discussion today, we’re ready. And more importantly, it’s time,” he said.
California has seen 15,071 coronavirus cases out of the 784,324.
