Attractions news…
Shanghai Disneyland reopens; Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk reopening; Efteling, Toverland and Europa-Park reopening; Chimelong Resort reopens indoor areas; Six Flags launches innovative guest reservation system; Palace Museum adjusts daily limit; V&A Dundee surveys guests on reopening; Calgary Zoo relocates giant pandas; Oklahoma Aquarium no longer requires advanced booking; Bompas & Parr launch studio in Hong Kong; Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 cut by $8 billion.
Read the news in 5 minutes
Theme parks
Disney Springs is starting a phased reopening on May 20 at Walt Disney World Resort. The resort will remain closed, including theme parks and hotels, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Shanghai Disneyland has officially reopened, welcoming guests once again at Shanghai Disney Resort. The attraction is following new safety measures and procedures in response to COVID-19.
Europa-Park has announced that it will reopen on May 29. The theme park will welcome visitors with new safety measures, including limiting the number of guests with day-based online ticketing.
Efteling has confirmed plans to gradually reopen on May 20. The theme park in the Netherlands is preparing to “receive guests safely” with social distancing, additional hygiene measures, and PPE where necessary.
Ocean Park Hong Kong is preparing to reopen in full swing, implementing strict precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of guests, staff and animals during the outbreak of COVID-19.
Chimelong Resort has announced that the indoor projects of Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom and Guangzhou Chimelong Wildlife World are reopening from May 15. Guangzhou Chimelong Tourism Resort partially reopened on April 30.
Universal Orlando Resort partially reopened this week despite the coronavirus pandemic, welcoming guests to the CityWalk shopping centre. Guests must wear face masks in order to visit CityWalk, which opens 4pm to 10pm.
Toverland has announced plans to reopen from May 19. The amusement park in the Netherlands will follow the ‘A Safe Day Out Together’ protocol, which includes information services, social distancing and additional cleaning.
Six Flags has announced the launch of an innovative guest reservation system, in order to ensure social distancing at its theme parks. The user-friendly system will allow Six Flags to manage daily attendance levels.
Museums
The Palace Museum, which reopened in Beijing, China on May 1, has increased its daily limit to 8,000 visitors from May 12. The attraction has implemented a series of measures in response to coronavirus.
The V&A has launched an open-call for homemade signs and rainbow drawings created during the coronavirus lockdown. Some of these will enter the V&A’s permanent collection, offering a portrait of life under lockdown.
V&A Dundee sent out a survey to establish how guests would feel about visiting museums, galleries and other cultural institutions when the current coronavirus restrictions are lifted in Scotland.
Zoos and aquariums
Florida Aquarium is taking the first steps in reopening from May 15. It has made some important changes to the visitor experience, in a bid to protect the health and safety of guests, staff, volunteers and animals.
The Calgary Zoo is relocating giant pandas Er Shun and Da Mao back home to China. The attraction is struggling to transport fresh bamboo to feed the giant pandas, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Oklahoma Aquarium, which reopened on May 8, has announced updated operations with guests no longer required to reserve tickets in advance from May 15. Tickets can now be purchased at the ticket kiosk.
Audubon Nature Institute received approval for a phased reopening of its family of parks, museums, and zoos in New Orleans. Planning is underway to reopen Audubon Zoo in early June.
New developments
Bompas & Parr is launching its first international studio in Hong Kong. The new studio, led by Josh Ng, will work to increase the scale, volume and ambition of installations in Asia.
ITV has received planning permission for a new attraction with experiences and exhibitions. The visitor attraction will be based in the former This Morning studio on the South Bank in London.
The Dungeons have joined forces with themed scent company AromaPrime to launch a range of smells for visitors missing the Blackpool Tower Dungeon, Edinburgh Dungeon and York Dungeon during COVID-19.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 project is being cut by 30 billion riyals ($8 billion) as part of austerity measures introduced in light of an economic slump caused by low oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic.
blooloop V-Expo
Registration is open for blooloop V-Expo, the world’s first online conference and exhibition for the global visitor attractions industry.
Accessible on desktop, tablet and mobile, blooloop V-Expo will feature world-class speakers, exhibitor halls and great digital networking opportunities. The event will take place during the week commencing 12 October 2020.
