Shanghai Disneyland becomes the world's first Disney resort to reopen after closing for more than three months due to coronavirus
- Shanghai Disneyland reopened to the public today after closing for over three months due to coronavirus
- The theme park in China's financial hub is the world's first Disney resort to welcome visitors post lockdown
- The Disneyland closed its doors on January 25 when the country was ravaged by the deadly disease
- Park tickets for the first day sold out within minutes after going on sale Friday, Chinese state media report
Shanghai Disneyland has reopened on Monday following a more than three-month coronavirus shutdown, as the first of the entertainment conglomerate's six main Disney resorts around the world to welcome visitors again.
The theme park saw a capped number of visitors who had to pre-book tickets, have their temperatures checked on arrival and show a government QR code designed to prove they are not a health risk.
The Disney resort in China's financial hub was first shut down on January 25 due to the virus epidemic.
Shanghai Disneyland has reopened on Monday following a more than three-month coronavirus shutdown. People are pictured visiting the Disneyland amusement park in Shanghai on May 11
The theme park saw a capped number of visitors who had to pre-book tickets, have their temperatures checked on arrival and show a government QR code designed to prove they are not a health risk. A visitor dressed as a Disney character takes a selfie while wearing a protective face mask at Shanghai Disney Resort on May 11
Disney characters Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck are seen at Shanghai Disney Resort on May 11
On a warm and hazy morning, speakers on a recorded loop asked people to wear masks at all times and reminded them to obey social distancing, including in queues and on rides.
Staff held signs instructing 'please maintain a proper social distance from other guests' and yellow lines and posters on the ground showed people where to stand when waiting.
Disney said there would be increased frequency of sanitisation and disinfection, and the park will limit or suspend performances that often include interaction between visitors and characters such as Mickey Mouse.
The theme park saw a capped number of visitors who had to pre-book tickets, have their temperatures checked on arrival and show a government QR code designed to prove they are not a health risk. Disney hopes the reopening of its park in Shanghai will help temper the financial hit from coronavirus
The Disney resort in China's most populous city was first shut down on January 25 due to the virus epidemic. Despite several restrictions being put in place at the reopened resort, tickets for the first day sold out within minutes, Chinese media report
Despite the measures and persistent fear of new infections, tickets for visiting the Disneyland on the first day sold out within minutes after going on sale Friday, Chinese state media said
Despite the measures and persistent fear of new infections, tickets for the first day sold out within minutes after going on sale Friday, Chinese state media said.
'Though many areas are still closed we are very much looking forward to the first day of reopening and wondering what's the difference inside today compared to before,' said a woman who gave the English name 'Kitty' and was with her excited five-year-old daughter.
'We have stayed at home for around two months and got bored enough.'
The Disney resort in China's most populous city was first shut down on January 25 due to the virus epidemic. Pictured, tourists wearing face masks visit the Disneyland amusement park in Shanghai on May 11
Shanghai Disneyland has reopened on Monday following a more than three-month coronavirus shutdown, as the first of the entertainment conglomerate's six main Disney resorts around the world to welcome visitors again. Tourists are seen having a joy ride in the Disneyland theme park in Shanghai on its first day of reopening
Shanghai Disneyland has reopened on Monday following a more than three-month coronavirus shutdown, as the first of the entertainment conglomerate's six main Disney resorts around the world to welcome visitors again. People wearing protective masks are pictured touring in the Disneyland theme park today in Shanghai, China
Andrew Bolstein, senior vice president of operations at the resort, said the 'vast majority' of attractions and facilities were open and they will be 'adding more and more as time goes on'.
Coronavirus emerged in the central city of Wuhan in December and later spread globally, forcing countries around the world to take restrictive prevention measures that have rocked the global economy.
But as the first virus-affected country, China also has a head start on returning to normal as the number of reported cases in the country has plummeted.
Shanghai Disneyland has reopened on Monday following a more than three-month coronavirus shutdown, as the first of the entertainment conglomerate's six main Disney resorts around the world to welcome visitors again. People wearing protective masks are seen walking n the Disneyland theme park in Shanghai, China, on May 11
The Disney resort in China's most populous city was first shut down on January 25 due to the virus epidemic. Pictured, visitors are touring in the Shanghai Disneyland on May 11
Coronavirus emerged in the central city of Wuhan in December and later spread globally, forcing countries around the world to take restrictive prevention measures that have rocked the global economy. A tourist poses for photos in the Disneyland theme park in Shanghai
Business activity began resuming in March and last month major tourist sites around the country were reopened and middle and high schools started resuming classes.
Walt Disney Co. said last week that profit plunged 91 per cent to $475million (£383million) in the first three months of the year and that it would suffer a $1.4billion (£1.1billion) hit from the coronavirus in the current quarter.
The pandemic has dealt a massive blow to the company's theme parks and other operations.
Coronavirus emerged in the central city of Wuhan in December and later spread globally, forcing countries around the world to take restrictive prevention measures that have rocked the global economy. Pictured, people wearing protective masks tour in the Disneyland theme park in Shanghai today after the park reopened
The theme park saw a capped number of visitors who had to pre-book tickets, have their temperatures checked on arrival and show a government QR code designed to prove they are not a health risk. Park staff wearing face masks give a welcoming wave at the Disneyland theme park as it reopened after the coronavirus closure
The theme park saw a capped number of visitors who had to pre-book tickets, have their temperatures checked on arrival and show a government QR code designed to prove they are not a health risk. Park staff wearing face masks give a welcoming wave at the Disneyland theme park as it reopened after the coronavirus closure
Disney shuttered the Shanghai park in late January, followed by others in the United States, France, Japan and Hong Kong. People visit the Disneyland amusement park in Shanghai on May 11
Revenue at its 'Parks, Experiences and Products' division fell 10 per cent to $5.5billion (£4.4billion) in the first three months of the year and the segment's operating income fell 58 per cent, the company said.
Disney shuttered the Shanghai park in late January, followed by others in the United States, France, Japan and Hong Kong.
Disney CEO Bob Chapek said last week that 'we are seeing encouraging signs of a gradual return to some semblance of normalcy in China'.
Joe Schott (centre right), president and general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort, stands with staff and characters park staff as the park reopened after the coronavirus closure
Disney shuttered the Shanghai park in late January, followed by others in the United States, France, Japan and Hong Kong. Visitors in face masks enter the Disneyland theme park as it reopened after the coronavirus closure
Disney shuttered the Shanghai park in late January, followed by others in the United States, France, Japan and Hong Kong. Pictured, visitors arrive at the Disneyland theme park as it reopened after the coronavirus closure on May 11
Disney has, meanwhile, delayed the release of more than a dozen major films as cinemas have closed.
Revenues from new streaming platform Disney+ have helped limit the damage, however, as home confinement has effectively provided an enormous captive audience.
Shanghai Disney reopened its shopping and entertainment Disneytown zone in March, plus a park and hotel in the same complex, but kept the main amusement park closed until now.
Shanghai Disney reopened its shopping and entertainment Disneytown zone in March, plus a park and hotel in the same complex, but kept the main amusement park closed until now. Visitors take a selfie in front of Donald Duck at the Disneyland theme park as it reopened after the coronavirus closure on May 11
Shanghai Disney reopened its shopping and entertainment Disneytown zone in March, plus a park and hotel in the same complex, but kept the main amusement park closed until now. People wearing face masks are seen visiting the Disneyland amusement park in Shanghai on May 11
Disney CEO Bob Chapek said last week that 'we are seeing encouraging signs of a gradual return to some semblance of normalcy in China'. Visitors are pictured taking photos at the Disneyland theme park in Shanghai on May 11
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