Bob Chapek Says CDC Information Will Lead To Immediate Capacity Increases

During the Q2 Disney Investor Call CEO Bob Chapek was asked about capacity increases.

Given the new guidance from the CDC that now says that fully vaccinated guests do not have to wear masks or physically distance.  Disney and Universal have also been taking steps to reduce the physical distancing from 6-feet to 3-feet.

According to Bob Chapek Disney capacity increases will be happening “Immediately.”

This goes along with what we predicted last month.  As we go on we’ll get a better idea about how the predictions play out.

How are Disney Parks performing?

Chapek also indicated that “intent to visit” at Walt Disney World is growing and is “flat with 2019” pre-COVID.  Disneyland’s “intent to visit” is “growing.” I’m sure not having annual passes in Disneyland is making that a bit slower.

It was also indicated that they are looking at per capita spending being higher. Of course it is, prices are higher.

He also indicated that cost management parameters are performing better with a lot of it being “automated.”  So they’re making more money because people are coming, spending more money, and not having some of it being automated.

However, 80% of Cast Members who have been asked to return have returned, but we don’t know what percentage has been asked to return.

So “want to go” is the same as before the pandemic, and Disney is going to increase capacity immediately, following the CDC guidelines.

Maybe some of the “sold out” Park Pass days might open up again.