FLORIDA (US) – From a distance, Mickey Mouse waved at visitors who wore colourful face masks with mouse ears on Saturday when Walt Disney World in Florida reopened after four months. This comes amid the surge in coronavirus cases in the state.
Walt Disney Co welcomed visitors to its two parks on the Orlando complex. They have installed a host of safety features to assuage the concerns of visitors and prevent the spread of infection.
Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney’s parks, experiences and products division, said they were confident of having a responsible plan for reopening in phases during the pandemic.
“This is the new world that we’re operating in, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon,” D’Amaro said.
Shanghai’s Disneyland opened in May, followed by similar parks in Hong Kong and Tokyo in June and July.
“I feel really good about our environment,” D’Amaro said. “We’re taking this seriously.”
The park authorities did not reveal the number of visitors on Saturday.
Apart from visitors, employees at the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parks wore masks, underwent temperature screening and maintained social distancing on the streets and the rides. Rows were separated by plexiglass, and ground markings indicated where people should stand.
Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are slated to reopen on Wednesday.
However, guests will miss parades, fireworks and other activities that draw crowds and there will not be up-close encounters with Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and other characters.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field
