Disneyland will be allowed to reopen with restricted capacity from April 1, in accordance with new rules announced Friday as part of an update to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy.”
California divides its counties into 4 color-coded tiers based on the spread of the coronavirus. Attendance limits are based on what tier a county is in.
Theme parks, including Disneyland, will probably be allowed to open at 15% capability within the red tier, the second-highest threat stage, however, only individuals who stay in California can buy tickets.
Ken Patrick, president of the Disneyland Resort, stated in a statement that Disneyland cannot wait to welcome its guests back and is looking forward to sharing a reopening date soon.
“We’re encouraged that theme parks now have a path toward reopening this spring, getting thousands of people back to work and greatly helping neighboring businesses and our entire community,” Potrock stated.
Orange County, where Disneyland is still within the purple tier for “widespread” threat – only one tier away from reopening-capable crimson.
The California Attractions and Parks Association’s executive director Erin Guerrero stated in a press release that the adjustment was “encouraging news” for the state’s theme parks.
According to state reopening plans before Friday’s update, larger theme parks wouldn’t be allowed to reopen till the county had a lower threshold of COVID-19 cases – when they reach the the “yellow” tier which is the lowest tier.
But Disneyland announced plans in February for a kind of soft reopen with “A Taste of Disney” a ticketed, limited-capacity experience that will begin on March 18 and run on select days through at least April 19 at Disney California Adventure Park. Tickets went on sale Thursday.
Like Disneyland, Universal also announced a “Taste of Universal” event during which the park plans to welcome visitors back starting March 12 on weekends for outdoor dining and shopping.
