After being closed last holiday season, the Disneyland Resort’s two theme parks plan on bringing back seasonal favorites for 2021.
The festivities will run from Nov. 12, 2021 through Jan. 9, 2022. At Disneyland, the seasonal ride overlays of Haunted Mansion Holiday and It’s a Small World Holiday will return, along with the “A Christmas Fantasy” parade and the “Believe in Holiday Magic” fireworks.
Disney California Adventure will sport holiday decorations and musical overlays at Cars Land. The Disney Festival of Holidays will also return, offering eight food booths themed around different holiday celebrations. The Paradise Gardens section will feature live music and performances for the Disney Viva Navidad mini-event, with one new offering: the debut of a character greeting with Mirabel, a new character from the upcoming “Encanto” animated film.
For guests wanting to meet Santa Claus, he’ll once again take up residence in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail inside DCA.
Disney donates to California Gov. Gavin Newsom despite COVID-19 friction
In 2020 and early 2021, Disney engaged in an uncharacteristically public feud with California Gov. Gavin Newsom over Newsom’s COVID-19 rules that kept theme parks from operating in the state.
Despite that war of words, Deadline reports that Disney has donated $32,400 to Newsom’s campaign committee as he approaches the Sept. 14 recall election that could oust him from the Governor’s Mansion.
Hollywood studios, including Disney, have been supporting Newsom in the recall. A separate Stop The Republican Committee — which, unlike Newsom’s campaign, can accept unlimited contributions — has attracted donors like Jeffrey Katzenberg, the chairman of Walt Disney Studios from 1984 to 1994 and later the co-founder of DreamWorks.
Six Flags Great America restores indoor mask mandate
Face masks are once again required in indoor rides and spaces throughout Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois.
The rule change came about due to the state of Illinois reinstating an indoor mask mandate on Monday, Aug. 30, regardless of vaccination status. All 102 counties in the state are currently considered high areas of community transmission of COVID-19 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The park confirmed that the rule will also apply to indoor Fright Fest attractions when the event begins on Sept. 18.