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As Guests continue to flock to Disney World, it seems as if there is no slow season anymore. We are all wondering what capacity Disney is operating at and whether or not changes will be made to that soon. Now, Disney CEO Bob Chapek has commented on capacity at Disney World.
Earnings Call
In Disney’s first quarter earnings call, Disney shared that they’ve had huge increases in earnings, despite many aspects of its Theme Parks operating with changes due to the global pandemic. While Disney expected revenues of $20.91 billion in the first quarter, the company is reporting revenues of $21.82 billion!
Chapek praised Disney’s Genie+ as a strong contributor to their financial success, stating 50% of Guests are upgrading to use this service!
Capacity Restrictions
Ever since Walt Disney World reopened in July 2020, capacity has been reduced in order to mitigate the risk due to the ongoing pandemic. Since that time, Disney has slowly increased capacity in its Theme Parks, but is often tight-lipped on just what that capacity is.
Chapek noted that there are now two big reasons why capacity is still limited in the Parks, and they may not be the reasons you’d expect!
According to Chapek, “self imposed capacity restraints are a function of food and beverage and live entertainment.”
Staffing Shortages and Live Entertainment
Chapek specifically noted that Disney’s Food and Beverage departments are struggling with staffing shortages, specifically with short-order cooks. He noted that “85% of Cast Members returned to work when they were asked to return,” but there are still severe shortages in this area.
Chapek also stated that live entertainment is also impacting capacity in Disney’s Theme Parks.
One of the last things to come back for us in a post covid world is live entertainment. We are self regulating that because we don’t want our guests to feel an excessive level of density. The places you get that is parades, etc. I expect we will be increasing capacity in time.
Bob Chapek, CEO Disney
When will capacity return to prepandemic levels?
Chapek says Disney is working on restoring both live entertainment and the food and beverage Cast Members so capacity can return to its former levels.
And it appears we won’t be saying goodbye to Park Pass reservations any time soon. Chapek stated, “Our ability to increase Guest experience through the park pass system has been something we really like. Guaranteeing our Guests have a great experience no matter when they come is really important to us.”
What are your thoughts on Disney’s reasons for operating at reduced capacity? Do you think capacity will return to pre-pandemic levels soon? Let us know n the comments below, or tell us on Facebook.
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Smitty
Friday 11th of February 2022
Paychek is nothing more than a snake oil salesman
Bea Solomon
Friday 11th of February 2022
Lower park capacity? I was to the Magic Kingdom 2 week days in January, it was elbow to elbow packed,.didn't look like a lowered capacity to us. The CEO doesn't mention that they terminated experienced staff last year, then invited them to reapply now at starting wages..I imagine they made money off the lost benefits.The cooks and line workers I know refused to go back.. They felt that the yshould all have been laid off instead of terminated. With 1 day Magic Kingdom tickets at $148 asking people to buy Genie is a slap in the face.We won't buy it
Kathy
Thursday 10th of February 2022
I agree with everything except the park reservations. It was so miserable pre Covid we didn’t even want to go. We were annual pass holders but we don’t live close so if it was insanely crowded we couldn’t just come back another day. The rest is absolutely crap. Vote with your dollars. Just don’t buy the Genie+ and Lightening Lane up charges. We went to Disneyland in September and we only went for one day. The rest of our days, which we usually spent at Disneyland, we went to Knotts Berry Farm and Universal.
Bob
Thursday 10th of February 2022
Disney has no plan to reduce long lines or high wait times. Its all about increasing revenues. As capacity returns to normal, wait time will exceed four hours.
Sue
Thursday 10th of February 2022
Are you for real Bob Chapek? As someone who has had an annual pass for many many years, and live close enough that I used to spontaneously go to any of the parks just for one ride or dinner at any time, that is nothing but BS. The parks are as crowded as ever, like the others are saying, you’re on your phone the whole time you’re there. My phone used to be for pictures. Now it’s running out of battery charge half way through my time at a park. The Genie system is a total rip off, I used it once and got on one ride. The quality of the food being served since the parks all reopened is horrendous. Ditto for the merchandise. I didn’t even know someone else was at the helm. All I knew was when the parks opened after the lockdown, everything had changed. Since you’ve been in charge, the Disney Magic has been non-existent. The cost of annual passes, tickets for family when they come, the restrictions, even the cost of hotels is absolutely ridiculous. I miss pre pandemic Disney. It’s been very disheartening. Sorry, but you need to go. Walt was not about money. He was for family time in a “happy place” It’s anything but that.