The Magic Kingdom reopened to the public today, May 11, 2020 with controlled capacity to the public, implementing enhanced health and safety measures.  Exciting news, however, it is not Disney World here Florida. Thousands of visitors streamed into Shanghai Disneyland today for the first time in three months.  The Chinese theme park is the first park reopened by the Walt Disney Company since the coronavirus pandemic.  Shanghai is the first of the six resorts around the world to reopen after the contagion. 

All the Disney enchantment within all the Magic Kingdom’s came to a standstill with the virus.  Mickey Mouse joined other beloved Disney characters and welcomed the crowds. While it welcomed more than 10 million guests in its first year after opening in 2016, the park will now restrict visitor numbers to 20% of daily capacity, or about 16,000 people.

The theme park experience has changed significantly.  Shanghai Disney will not be as it was. Masks are mandatory! Temperature screenings will be administered prior to admission. Instead of crowds enjoying parades and fireworks, which have been cancelled, mandatory social distancing for visitors and employees will be enforced. Disney is also implementing amplified frequency of sanitization and disinfection.  Tickets must be purchased in advance.  Theme park passes will not be sold at the gates.