Disneyland wants to end its coronavirus shutdown next month, proposing a phased reopening starting with the Downtown Disney shopping and dining district on July 9.
Under this plan, the resort’s theme parks, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure would reopen on July 17 — Disneyland’s 65th birthday.
Disney’s Grand Californian and Paradise Pier Hotels would welcome back guests on July 23. No mention was made of reopening the Disneyland Hotel.
“We are purposefully taking baby steps during this very intentional phased approach,” Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney’s Parks, Experiences and Products division, wrote on the Disney Parks Blog. “As one of the first major theme parks to close our operations and the last to reopen, we have been deliberate about keeping the health and safety of our cast, guests and local communities top of mind. And as we look forward to bringing our cast members back to work, and welcoming you back as cherished guests – we know it will take all of us working together responsibly to recapture the magic.”
Like Disney World and Universal Orlando, Disneyland will make changes to operate in the pandemic. Theme park capacity will be “significantly limited to comply with governmental requirements and promote physical distancing,” Disney said. All guests, including annual passholders, will be required to obtain a reservation to gain entry to the theme parks.
There was no mention of specific health policies, but a face mask requirement has been a part of reopening plans for both Disney World and Shanghai Disneyland.
Despite clear evidence that the use of face masks helps limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, some residents in Disneyland’s home county have mounted a vocal opposition to wearing them. Orange County Health Care Agency Officer Dr. Nichole Quick, resigned Monday after receiving threats due to her order requiring face masks to be worn in public.
One public speaker at a recent Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting called Quick’s interim replacement, Dr. Clayton Chau, a “charlatan” and labeled the pandemic a “hoax.”
Happening now: Nearly 100 Orange County residents, who disagree with mask policy, speak to the Board of Supervisors. 1 person spoke in favor of masks @cbsla #cbsla #orangecounty #masks pic.twitter.com/UcTIKeDj3u
— michele gile (@CBSmichelegile) June 9, 2020
Other California theme parks, including Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain, have proposed reopening by July 1.
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