NEWS: The Magic is Returning – A Heartfelt Statement from Josh D’Amaro, Chairman Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

2020 has been a challenging year, to say the least. Our “real world” struggles have hit us hard and for many, ourselves included, a desire to return to some kind of normalcy is at the top of our wish list. The magic we experience at Disney parks around the world has always been a way to escape reality and get a fresh dose of Disney magic. That magic moves us in different ways, but it has always given us times of great joy with our family. It’s one of the reasons why so many of us are looking forward to getting back to the Disney parks. It’s not just for a roller coaster ride or a specific theme park food — it’s for a reminder that we can step out of our daily routine and enjoy some truly magical experiences with the ones we love. Recently Josh D’Amaro, Chairman Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, released a statement that reminds us that even though the Disney park experience might be different when we return, the true magic is returning and will still be there. Read the full statement below.

Here is Josh D’Amaro’s full statement:

With the announcement of the proposed reopening dates for the Disneyland Resort, we are one more exciting step closer to reopening all of our Disney parks and experiences around the world.  Throughout the past few weeks, we have reopened Shanghai Disneyland, Disney Springs and several Disney stores, and set dates for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, with more announcements coming soon.

We are purposefully taking baby steps during this very intentional phased approach.  As one of the first major theme parks to close our operations and the last to reopen, we have been deliberate about keeping the health and safety of our cast, guests and local communities top of mind. And as we look forward to bringing our cast members back to work, and welcoming you back as cherished guests – we know it will take all of us working together responsibly to recapture the magic.

We’re fortunate to be guided by a talented team of professionals who’ve helped us implement a variety of new health and safety measures reflecting the guidance of local health and government authorities. These are designed with both the cast and guests in mind for the unique environments of each of our parks, resorts and stores.

While certain aspects of your visit may change, I assure you the quality of our storytelling, magic of our experiences and the caliber of our cast members has not. We recognize the trust that you have in the Disney brand, and we will continue to earn your trust every day.

My confidence comes in part from all of the hard work our teams have been doing behind the scenes in the past few months… as well as by the early successes we have seen at Shanghai Disneyland, the first of our theme parks to reopen. Guest satisfaction has been extremely high, and we will continue to make sure that as we bring back experiences, our attention to promoting your safety, maintaining your trust and providing unique ways for you to come together with family and friends to create new memories remains high as well.

Walt Disney once said that it takes people to make the dream a reality, and as we prepare ourselves to reopen his original park, I want you to know how eternally grateful I am for all of you who have made Disney parks, stores, hotels, cruise lines, guided tours and vacation properties part of your lives, as well as for the cast members, crew members, Imagineers, and employees who have brought them to life for the past 65 years.

I know this has been a difficult year due to the impacts of COVID-19, but I can’t help but feel a great sense of hope and optimism. And like many of you, I look forward to hearing the laughter and seeing the joy of families making memories together… and I can’t wait to see you when the magic returns to all of our parks and resorts.

Be well,
Josh

RELATED ARTICLE: 6 Reasons We Keep Going Back to Walt Disney World

by Cindy E. Nykamp

A few years back, I ran into an old childhood friend that I had not seen in years. When meeting her new husband, she introduced me as the girl who was obsessed with Disney World. She must have been referring to the stream of pictures I would post from our Disney vacations that we seemed to take “all the time.” She admitted she just didn’t get it, especially when she learned that we actually took our 10th anniversary trip to Disney World without the kids (scandalous)! She confided that she would probably go there one time when she had kids, “because you have to,” but she really hated the thought of having to go. This was a rather odd conversation for us, one that we’ve had with other friends and family from time to time. They ask, “What is it about Disney World? Why do you go back year after year?” Well, here are the 6 reasons we keep going back to Disney World.

6 – Lasting Family Memories

Vacations are an excellent time to build some lasting family memories. Vacations to Disney World have so many opportunities to create amazing memories because there’s so much to see and do and explore together! Disney World is twice the size of Manhattan offering entertainment and attractions that can’t be found anywhere else on the planet! There are so many “firsts” that your family can enjoy together. So many traditions that can be done every trip, and so many experiences that your family will remember over the years.

5 – Bringing Generations Together

A vacation to Walt Disney World brings generations together with the common bond of loving a mouse! We have taken multiple trips with our mothers and have enjoyed watching them connect with their grandchildren in ways just not possible at home. Grandparents know the characters, the Disney movies, the story of Disney because they grew up with them too. They get to share that love and create special memories and bonds with their grandchildren.

Parents also get to share their love and excitement of all things Disney with their children. I was never able to go to Disney World as a child, though it had been a dream of mine. When I finally went for the first time, I loved it. However, I loved watching my children experience the park more. Their experiences meant more to me and it made the trip so much more enjoyable than I ever could have imagined.

4 – Quality Entertainment and Attractions

There are a lot of amusement parks in the world, and many of there are very good. But none can provide the level of quality and the depth of the experience like Disney can. How do they do it? It goes beyond a commitment to quality and big budgets. It springs out of their DNA as storytellers. Expedition Everest isn’t just a rollercoaster, it’s a trip through a culture to a faraway destination with an engaging story that starts when you enter the queue and doesn’t end until you’ve left the gift shop. When you’re at Walt Disney World, you don’t just ride rides, you explore stories.

3 – Excellent Customer Service

Walt Disney World’s customer service is among the best in the world. Other businesses model their customer service to match Disney’s. In fact, they offer classes at Disney University to teach other organizations how to do things the “Disney Way.” We’re always hearing amazing stories of Disney Cast Members going above and beyond to make things right and to make Disney dreams come true. The great moments that stand out in other places are the norm at Disney. There’s just nowhere else you can go that consistently reaches this standard, and we enjoy being treated so well.

2 – Walt Disney World is Constantly Changing

You might think that we would be bored with Walt Disney World. Well, not a chance. Disney World is always growing, changing, evolving. With refurbishments, additions, and expansions, Disney World keeps improving and keeps setting the bar higher. In the last few years alone Disney Springs has been totally transformed (for the better), Pandora has opened at Animal Kingdom, Toy Story Land, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, that that’s just the tip of the iceberg! On the horizon is the complete transformation of Epcot. There are always new things to explore!

1 – The Most Magical Place on Earth

Disney World can be described as the most magical place on Earth. It’s true. Everyday life and troubles often melt away while on a Disney vacation. You’ll hear us refer to the “Disney Bubble.” It’s the mysterious invisible barrier that surrounds Disney World that usual troubles cannot pass through. When you enter it, the Disney magic takes hold of you, and you can really forget what you left at home for a while. Families are generally happier because they are spending time together, doing some really cool, fun things.

Now, of course, this doesn’t mean that families don’t fight, children don’t cry, and people are not unhappy at Disney World. Real life still does happen. Overall though, we’ve found our vacations at Disney World were times when we were happier as a family and enjoyed each other much more than during our regular routines at home. Disney World is a little closer to the world we wished we lived in, and we’re a bit closer to the people we want to we were all the time.