A masked couple poses for photos in front of a statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse, with Sleeping Beauty Castle behind, at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA, as visitors return to the park with covid-safety restrictions in place, including the park only being at 25% capacity, Monday, May 3, 2021.
Jay L. Clendenin—Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
In February, Disney ended masking and distancing requirements at its theme parks, even before relaxed guidance from U.S. public-health officials. Given Disney’s prominence in the hospitality industry—the company’s parks business made $2.5 billion in operating income last quarter—the move set the tone for other hotels and theme parks. Meanwhile, Disney and CEO Bob Chapek have been criticized for what detractors called a tepid response to a controversial Florida bill that blocks educators from teaching young students about LGBTQ+ issues.
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