Disney CEO Chapek says Disney World capacity will stay at 25% for now
Disney CEO Bob Chapek said in an interview with CNBC today that guest capacity at Walt Disney World theme parks is at 25% and will remain capped at that level for now.
This may come as a surprise for those who have visited Disney World lately. The crowds, especially this past Columbus Day weekend, sometimes looked like they were back to pre-Covid levels, and lines just keep getting longer (both in terms of time and distance).
There are many things contributing to the feeling that the parks are just as crowded as ever, including:
- The 6-foot social distancing for lines, which means attraction queues meander all over the parks
- Lower capacity at restaurants (Disney World has not increased restaurant capacity past 50% even though Gov. Ron DeSantis is allowing restaurants to go to 100%)
- Lack of entertainment and character meet and greets
- Many shops remain closed, and those that are limiting the number of guests in order to allow for social distancing. In some cases this means lines just to enter shops.
- Many restaurants remain closed. Those quick-service restaurants that are open require mobile ordering, so guests gather outside until their meals are ready.
All of these things lead to the feeling that there are more people in the parks, especially in comparison to the first few weeks after the parks re-opened in mid-July.
It is unknown if the theme parks have reached the new “full” 25% capacity at any time. During a previous “normal” year, Disney World would reach capacity a handful of days, like Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Disney in the past has closed park reservations, which are needed to enter parks, but it is unknown if that is triggered due to capacity.
Chapek said the parks will remain capped at the current level until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines change.
