Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will reopen late April and recall 10,000 furloughed employees following a year of closures during the COVID-19 pandemic
Staff
After being closed for more than one year, people can finally return to the Disneyland Resort theme parks. Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park are planning to officially reopen to the public on April 30, with limited capacity, according to Disney officials.
“The day all of us have long been waiting for is almost here,” Disneyland president Ken Potrock said in a statement.
Guests will be able to once again experience attractions at both parks, from thrilling adventures like the new Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and the Incredicoaster to family-friendly experiences like Peter Pan’s Flight and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.
Disney CEO Bob Chapek said on CNBC that Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will operate at around 15% capacity to start.
“We’re just thrilled that after an entire year that we can bring Disneyland back online,” Chapek told CNBC.
The reimagined Snow White’s Enchanted Wish opens to guests for the very first time, and renovated Haunted Mansion dark rides as well as King Arthur Carrousel will open with the return of Disneyland.
The new Avengers Campus themed land will open at a later date at Disney California Adventure.
Indoor rides like Pirates of the Caribbean; Small World; Star Wars, and Radiator Springs Racers will open with 15% ride capacity.
Splash Mountain and Jungle Cruise — which will both undergo renovations to remove negative cultural depictions — were not mentioned among the returning attractions in the Disneyland announcement, reported the OC Register. Certain rides and attractions could be unavailable.
Characters from favorite Disney stories and surprise appearances will pop up in new ways along Main Street, U.S.A., Pixar Pier bandshell, Royal Theatre stage, and sometimes in unexpected places as they remain mindful of physical distancing on playful interactions.
Certain experiences that draw large group gatherings – such as parades and nighttime spectaculars – will return at a later date.
Disney has reopened theme parks around the world while Disneyland remained closed, and four theme parks in Florida reopened last July. With the reopening of Disney’s Anaheim theme parks, will leave only the parks in France closed by the pandemic.
Because theme park capacity will be significantly limited to comply with governmental requirements and promote physical distancing, the Disneyland Resort will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that requires all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance.
To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date are required for guests ages 3 and up.
Theme park reservations will be limited and subject to availability and, until further notice, only California residents may visit the parks in line with current state guidelines.
In the days leading up to the public opening on April 30, Disneyland Resort will invite cast members and members of the local community to be the first theme park guests after more than a year of closure.
A Touch of Disney, the limited-time ticketed experience which has sold out, will go on as planned from March 18 through April 19.
Disneyland Resort Hotels plans to welcome guests once again, with a phased reopening. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will reopen on April 29, with limited capacity.
Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will plan to reopen May 2. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel will reopen at a later date.
“The health and well-being of guests and cast members remain a top priority“, Disney Parks Blog shared.
As with the Downtown Disney District reopened with enhanced health and safety measures, operational changes will be in place at the theme parks and hotels to align with guidance from health authorities and learnings from parks around the world to promote physical distancing, enhanced cleanliness and reduced contact.
This guidance is fluid and applicable at any given time as community situations change. With that guidance, many factors will determine the timing of when offerings may be available. Cast members will be available to explain the new procedures and answer questions visitors may have.
Advance dining reservations for Disneyland and California Adventures restaurants and mobile ordering at eateries will be strongly encouraged. Mobile wait lists and mobile check-in will be available for select table-service restaurants.
But…
When Southern California theme parks such as Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Six Flags Magic Mountain reopen as early as April, they will likely have to take steps to ensure that screaming on rides doesn’t lead to the spread of COVID-19.
California’s reopening guidelines call for businesses to limit activities that can spread the virus, such as singing and shouting.
The California Attractions and Parks Association (CAPA), a trade group which represents theme parks statewide, is backing a plan that would tamp down on the effects that shouting and yelling on rides, such as rollercoasters, could have in spreading the virus.
*Upon reopening, certain parks, hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences and other offerings will be modified or unavailable, will have limited capacity and will be subject to limited availability or even closure, and park admission and offerings are not guaranteed.
