• by Wayne Friedman , March 17, 2021

Walt Disney is finally getting to reopen its two mothership California parks -- Disneyland and Disney California Adventure -- on April 30.

Speaking to CNBC, Bob Chapek, CEO of Walt Disney, says its theme parks will open at an estimated 15% capacity. California state regulations say theme parks can open with 15% to 35% capacity, depending on the current COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have been closed since the start of the pandemic in mid-March 2020.

Disney’s other theme parks have been open in part or in their entirety for some time. Its Orlando, Florida, Disney World has been open for the last nine months.

Since the first of the year, DisneyWorld has aired 8,032 commercials totaling an estimated $8.3 million in national TV spending, according to iSpot.tv. The year before period had 9,895 airings and $16.3 million. Disneyland had 2,098 airings and $3.6 million in national TV spending.

Revenue for its theme parks dropped 37% for its fiscal year ending October 3, 2020 to $16.5 million, posting an operation loss of $81 million. In its most recent period ending December 2020, Disney parks' revenue sank 53% to $3.6 billion, posting an operating loss of $119 million.