Shanghai Disneyland reopens with scheduled entry times and safety protocols

After a -month closure due to the initial Covid-19 outbreak, Shanghai Disneyland is now welcoming guests back.

However, the theme park has undergone noticeable changes since its closure.

Typically, the park accommodates up to 80,000 guests and employs 12,000 cast members – Disney's term for staff. On reopening day, however, the number of cast members greatly exceeded the number of visitors, with attendance capped at under 30% capacity.

“We’ve significantly increased the number of custodial staff throughout the park to ensure constant cleaning of surfaces,” says Andrew Bolstein, SVP of Operations at Shanghai Disney Resort.

“We’re committed to finding the perfect balance between ensuring safety and health while preserving the magic we deliver every day,”

Guests at Shanghai Disneyland are now required to wear masks, undergo temperature checks, and maintain social distancing.

Despite these measures, the enthusiasm of Disney fans remained undiminished as they flocked to the park on reopening day.

Due to ongoing travel restrictions, most visitors were residents of Shanghai and nearby provinces, including both Chinese nationals and foreigners residing in China. To visit, guests must book timed entry tickets online to control crowd sizes.

Visitors must also present a green QR code from the Shanghai health app, a government initiative for contact tracing and exposure assessment.

The official reopening ceremony struck a harmonious blend of celebrating the moment while acknowledging the ongoing struggles in other parts of the world.

As the cast members and beloved characters made their appearance, several of the park's annual pass holders – clearly its most dedicated fans – waved excitedly.

Hundreds of cast members lined the park’s entrance to greet visitors, waving and shouting “Welcome back!” in both Chinese and English.

Over the loudspeakers, guests were frequently reminded in both languages to walk, not run, while navigating the park.

A periodic announcement cut through the festive music to remind everyone to keep their face masks on and maintain proper social distancing at all times.

Yao Yao, a 37-year-old Disney enthusiast dressed as Minnie Mouse, shared her excitement about the reopening: “For me, it signifies that the magic is back. All the joy, happiness, and magic return. It makes people feel excited and joyful.”

However, she is aware that Disney fans worldwide are watching closely as they consider the future of other parks.

The Shanghai local expressed hope that others would “take a cue from Shanghai Disneyland by wearing masks and practicing social distancing. There are plenty of activities at various outdoor locations, which also bring people happiness and joy.”

Most of the park's attractions and rides were open, with the exception of the children's play area and other interactive exhibits that require guests to touch surfaces.

Bright yellow tape on the ground marked 1.5-meter (6-foot) intervals, ensuring families kept a safe distance while waiting in line or enjoying Disneyland’s live performances.

Guests can no longer high-five or hug costumed characters. Instead, they are encouraged to maintain a safe selfie distance for photos.

“Different phases of the epidemic require different approaches, but what we have could serve as a model,” said Bolstein.

He added, “I just want to see children smiling and people enjoying their time at the park.”

Currently, Shanghai Disneyland is the only park of the company to reopen, though other locations are showing early signs of change. On May 20, some shops and restaurants at Orlando's Disney Springs complex will begin welcoming guests again.