Oh Boy: How to Handle a Pandemic the Disney Way

On March 12, 2020, The Walt Disney Company announced that its U.S. Disney Parks, Disneyland and Walt Disney World, would close because of COVID-19. This study aims to determine how park annual passholders and frequent guests of the U.S. Disney Parks reacted to COVID-19 related news from The Walt Disney Company and if it impacts their decision to visit the parks. To determine this, five focus groups were conducted with annual passholders and frequent guests of the U.S. Disney Parks. Their social media habits, relationship with The Walt Disney Company, and reactions to COVID-19 related news was discussed. The results showed that while annual passholders and frequent guests may get their information from third party accounts, face confusion on some topics, and have reservations about COVID-19 during park reopenings, they still trust The Walt Disney Company and are eager to enter the parks again.