Disney’s US theme parks could stay shuttered until 2021 according to an analyst at financial firm UBS.
In an investor note, UBS’ managing director of investment research, John Hodulik reckons Disneyland and Walt Disney World may not open again until the beginning of next year.
"We believe the parks’ profitability will be impaired for a longer period of time given the lingering effects of the outbreak and now assume an opening date of Jan. 1 as our base case," wrote Hodulik.
Even then, the report says, park attendance will be limited to begin with, with ‘crowd avoidance measures and new health precautions’ until a vaccine becomes available.
Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger has already hinted at stricter entry controls to cover possible temperature monitoring and health documentation checks.
The two park resorts may well open at different times based on the current tactics of the respective state governments.
Florida is pushing for some public facilities to reopen which has already included some beaches.
California is taking a more cautious strategy.
Disney is likely to open parks in Asia first, starting with Shanghai in China.
In Shanghai, Disneytown with a limited number of shops and restaurants, and The Disneyland Hotel have reopened.
