Latest in Theme Parks

NBCUniversal chief Jeff Shell Thursday called Peacock “the opposite of Quibi,” predicted struggling theme parks will break even or better next year and gave some — albeit minimal — color on the upfront. Peacock had 22 million signups, exceeding projections, and drawing on a combination of old, beloved content from the…

UPDATED with the latest: Just minutes after California Governor Gavin Newsom reiterated his support for stringent rules around the reopening of theme parks in the state, the California Attractions and Parks Association, a trade group that represents theme parks, issued a response. In it, CAPA executive director Erin…

UPDATED with latest: Hours after California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was in “no hurry” to issue coronavirus safety guidelines so amusement parks can reopen, Disney on Wednesday responded with a statement from Dr. Pamela Hymel, Chief Medical Officer, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. It read: We absolutely…

Walt Disney’s parks chief Josh D’Amaro said Tuesday the company will be laying off 28,000 staff at its theme parks, the segment of the company hardest hit by the pandemic. The cuts will come at the executive, salaried and hourly level although the bulk of the hit — or 67% the company said — will fall on part-time…

Josh D'Amaro, the new chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Tuesday begged California officials to let Disneyland reopen and to "treat theme parks the way you treat other sectors." California Governor Gavin Newsom promised last week that news about Disneyland's reopening would be coming "very soon." But…

Walt Disney World’s still shuttered water parks won’t reopen until next March, the company said in an update on its plans for Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. “The water parks remain closed pending government approvals. We currently plan to reopen one of the two Disney water parks on March 7, 2021…

As Disney reopened their premier theme park, Walt Disney World, today in Florida amid exploding coronavirus numbers, social media immediately took the entertainment conglomerate to task by criticizing the decision to resume theme parks operations, calling it premature and risky. Florida has now seen more than 250,000…

Disney shares ended Monday’s trading session 1% higher after a big turnaround sparked by a bullish report by a Bank of America analyst. Jessica Reif Ehlrich reaffirmed her “buy” rating on Disney shares, writing in a note to clients that she titled “Revisiting the Happiest Place on Earth.” The COVID-19-addled media…

With Walt Disney World in Orlando set to open in mid-July, the conversation on Wall Street is shifting from the financial hit of shuttered theme parks and when they'll restart to how quickly profitability will improve. The conclusion: not very until health precautions are eased and people can travel. UBS analyst John…

Walt Disney World Resort executives on Wednesday unveiled a phased plan to reopen its Magic Kingdom and Disney Animal Kingdom on Saturday, July 11 and Epcott and Disney Hollywood Studios on Wednesday, July 15. Jim MacPhee, Senior Vice President of Operations, Walt Disney World Resort unveiled the timeline at a virtual…

Universal Orlando is looking to start a phased reopenign on June 5, according to plans presented Thursday to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. The plan must be approved by Orange County and state officials. The goal is to reopen to employees for testing on June 1-2. On June 2-3, the park would open to…

Disney Springs, the shopping and retail complex adjacent to Walt Disney World in Orlando, began a phased reopening Wednesday with 44 of its 190 locations including retail stores and restaurants ready for business. The park declined to share attendance numbers but fans took to Twitter with relief as locales flung open…