The 2021 Annual Shareholder Meeting for The Walt Disney Company was held this morning. There were quite a few interesting reveals. Here’s what you need to know.
- The company hopes to be able to open Disneyland in “late April” rather than on April 1, which is when California gave clearance for theme parks to reopen. Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure will NOT open with the Resort, but will debut later this year. The reopening will allow about 10,000 furloughed Cast Members to be recalled. Bob Chapek added this on twitter:
https://twitter.com/DisneyParksNews/status/1369358327562477568?s=20
- Over in Walt Disney World, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is scheduled to open in EPCOT on October 1 to help kick off the 50th Anniversary of the WDW Resort. (Expect other attractions and activities to reopen in that same timeframe)
Just Announced! Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will open at EPCOT on Oct. 1, 2021 to help kick off the opening season of the @WaltDisneyWorld Resort 50th Anniversary celebration. Get more details on the Disney Parks Blog: https://t.co/ZZydSZ3IpY #DisneyWorld50 pic.twitter.com/cI7OU9TyX4
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) March 9, 2021
- Former CEO, Bob Iger, will officially leave the Walt Disney Company at the end of December after being with the company for over 40 years. Bob stepped down from the top job last year, just days before the company was forced to shutter most of its theme parks. He then moved to a creative role in the company, overseeing the studios, content, and some integration efforts with the FOX purchase. This Shareholder Meeting will be his last.
- Disney+ now has over 100 million subscribers, which is about half of what Netflix has globally. They hope to release 100 new programs for their subscriptions services each year.
- ESPN+ on Hulu launches tomorrow, March 10, and if you subscribe to the bundle with both services, you’ll have access to ESPN+ on the Hulu app. We’d like to see them do the same with Disney+ as well. It should would be easier if you could get everything in just one app.
- Black Widow will keep its previously announce May 7 theatrical release.
- When asked about the possibility of replacing Kathleen Kennedy with John Favreau, Chapek responded: “We look forward to having Kathy directing the activities of the entire Lucasfilm operation for many years to come.”
- In regards to the Disney Cruise Line, Chapek mentioned that he didn’t have “definitive terms for when we will be able to open up our cruise lines.” However, they do hope to begin sailing again in the fall of this year. The Disney Wish, the line’s latest ship which is currently being built, is planned to set sail in the Summer of 2022.
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UPDATED: Southern California Theme Park & Attractions Reopening Guide