Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, was interviewed by Roger Dow of The Dow Report about lessons learned during the reopening of its theme parks and resorts.
D’Amaro said that reopening the Parks is based on 5 elements. The first is health and wellness. This is accomplished through temperature checks, guests and cast members wearing face coverings, reservations for park visits with limited attendance, and physical distancing.
The second element is cleaning and disinfecting, especially in high touch areas. The third of the five elements is technology solutions. This is accomplished through mobile apps and cashless payments to reduce contact. The fourth element is cast member training and employee safety. The fifth and final element of the reopening process is working together both on the cast member and guest level.
D’Amaro was also asked how the reopening of Walt Disney World is going, and if he knows when Disneyland Resort will open. He said that the reopening not only affects Disney, but other business and industries as well. From the small business to hotels and even the airline industry, the impact is beyond the berm of the theme parks.
D’Amaro also said that he does not have a reopening date for Disneyland right now. In fact, Disney does not even have California guidelines for opening. As soon as those dates and guidelines are set, Disneyland will be ready to reopen. He also said he’s ready to get the engine going again, as well as to get Cast Members back to work again.
When asked about lessons learned about reopening Disney Parks around the world, D’Amaro said that guests have been very, very accepting of the new protocols set in place. Adjusting to trends and understanding changing consumer habits is what’s crucial to enhancing the guest experience as a whole.
Dow also asked D’Amaro if certain changes that have been implemented as a result of COVID-19 will be kept, and he said yes. As technology evolves and allows for contactless transactions, those will definitely help enhance both the Cast and Guest experience.
The full interview with Josh D’Amaro can be seen here.
