The year-long COVID-19 closure of Disneyland’s two theme parks will end on April 30.
Disney announced the reopening date on the official Disney Parks Blog Wednesday, noting that the park experience will be different from the pre-pandemic days.
“Beloved characters will pop up in new ways and sometimes in unexpected places as they remain mindful of physical distancing,” wrote Disneyland public relations director Michael Ramirez. “Certain experiences that draw large group gatherings – such as parades and nighttime spectaculars – will return at a later date. 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.”
Exactly how much capacity will be limited is still to be determined. California guidelines limit theme park capacity to 15 percent of its normal maximum when parks’ home counties are in the “eed” tier of the state’s reopening guidelines. However, that limit will be raised to 25 percent if counties reach the “orange” tier, and it’s possible that Orange County will be in that tier by April 30.
Attendance at Disneyland and other California parks will be limited to California residents under the state’s guidelines. Disney did mention that “cast members and members of the local community” will be invited back to the parks ahead of the April 30 opening for previews, similar to what Disney World did before its own reopening in July 2020.
Disneyland’s Fantasyland will feature the revamped Snow White’s Enchanted Wish attraction upon reopening; however, the Avengers Campus area at Disney California Adventure will make its debut at a later, unspecified date.
Despite the theme parks reopening, Disneyland will keep two of its three on-site hotels — Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel — closed for the time being. The Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will reopen on April 29, while the Disney Vacation Club units at the hotel will stick to their previously scheduled reopening date of May 2.
Disneyland’s reopening date will be ahead of Orange County neighbor Knott’s Berry Farm, which has already announced it will open sometime in May following the end of the Taste of Boysenberry Festival. Other Southern California parks, including Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain, have yet to announce when they’ll be reopening.
More Theme Park News:
Knott’s Berry Farm plans to reopen in May
Theme parks retain COVID-19 safeguards even as some governors remove them
California governor won’t release findings of state employees’ Disney World COVID-19 trip