As a resident, I feel qualified to say that California is a mess right now. We were so on top of everything, especially pandemic precautions, and then, somehow, the right hand lost sight of the left and who knows what’s going on currently. The local dog park opened recently, which was a huge cause of celebration at Hecate Temple, but absolutely no one is observing social distancing or mask rules so we still can’t go. The people parks remain closed, but only the equipment so everyone is crowding the green space surrounding the taped off equipment. The beaches are bedlam as people try to figure out what’s allowed and not allowed. I’m needed as a caregiver very soon and am trying to get tested, which is supposedly available and free for everyone, but I have been turned down at four different places because I don’t qualify. So I’m presently self-isolating solely so I can break quarantine to travel. Like I said, it’s not quite the well-oiled machine Gov Newsom was bragging about. However, all hell is about to break loose because Disneyland is set to open next month. But it won’t be business as usual, you’ll need a reservation and a whole lot of patience.
Disneyland is ready to bring back the magic!
After a months-long closure due to coronavirus concerns, Disney announced on Wednesday that it plans to reopen its California-based theme parks — Disneyland Resort and Disney California Adventure Park — on July 17, pending approval from state and local government.
The parks’ surrounding Downtown Disney District will begin reopening on July 9, according to a press release from the company. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is slated to reopen on July 23.
As theme park capacity will be limited to comply with social distancing guidelines, Disney plans on introducing a reservation system that will require all guests, including annual passholders, to reserve their park entry in advance. At this time, the company has placed a temporary pause on new ticket sales and the purchase and renewal of annual passes.
“We are purposefully taking baby steps during this very intentional phased approach,” Josh D’Amaro, the Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, wrote in a blog post on Wednesday.
“While certain aspects of your visit may change, I assure you the quality of our storytelling, magic of our experiences and the caliber of our cast members has not,” D’Amaro wrote. “I know this has been a difficult year due to the impacts of COVID-19, but I can’t help but feel a great sense of hope and optimism. And like many of you, I look forward to hearing the laughter and seeing the joy of families making memories together… and I can’t wait to see you when the magic returns to all of our parks and resorts.”
COVID case numbers have spiked since stages 1 and 2 of reopening Cailifornia have gone into effect. We’re already being warned about reclosing that state. So their July dates really are soft targets. However, since Newsom excepted Disneyland from state closures initially, I doubt they will be denied their proposal to reopen. And Anaheim is in Orange County, which is more conservative than Los Angeles County, so they will likely approve as well, especially considering the tourism dollars Disneyland generates. In addition to limiting the number of guests at the parks, they have suspended the fireworks, shows, parades and character meets, all of which makes sense as it would be virtually impossible to negotiate social distancing in those situations. I understand this. The park has to open eventually and most of the state thinks they will be reopened in mid-July. So they’re floating the changes now to prepare people. One thing Disney is proficient at is controlling their population and keeping them moving. When they open, they will have thought out how to do it thoroughly. That isn’t to say that I think it will be totally safe nor do I think Disney will only have our best interest in mind, their bottom line is pretty important to them, but of all the companies looking at reopening, I believe Disney can avoid mayhem better than most. What I can’t figure out is how people will wait in line for rides, especially since I heard they are suspending Fast-Pass. They may have virtual lines like Disneyworld is planning.
On the other hand, a much-less-populated Disneyland would be a dream come true. I’m not willing to risk COVID or spend whatever astronomical price it would cost me to experience it, but wandering down Main Street without interference? Strolling through the castle lagoon and being able to fully take it in? Walking on to a ride within twenty minutes of queuing for it? Oh my gawd, it’s my Mouse-Themed fantasy!
Photo credit: Zichuan Han, Craig Adderley, Liza Lova from Pexels
Fellow Californian, Kern County southernmost part, 15 miles from LA County, close proximity to Ventura County. We received news yesterday of a spike in Covid-19 cases in Kern. Plans are underway to consider closing businesses. CA is one of 20 states seeing a spike. Disneyland opening? I’m shaking my head side to side. We continue to follow safe distancing, wear masks, staying home most of the time, 18-24 months before we have a viable vaccine. Quoting Gov Newsom, “Delayed is not denied.”
I’m really interested as to how they’re going to pull this off. WDW is a whole different beast as there’s much more space in the park. Disneyland is small and often very claustrophobic (I’m looking at you, Dark Ride queues!)
I’ll be watching my favorite Disneyland youtubers in the park safely from my home. It’s just not worth the risk. It’s so sad on many levels.
I just saw an actress on Instagram saying how they’re now allowing production to begin in LA today or tomorrow. She was saying how ridiculous it is given that LA has more cases now than when they went into lockdown. Agreed. None of this makes any sense whatsoever. I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone.
Here I thought California was being way more cautious than other states and applauded them for it. Nah. They pretty much have the same opening timeline for Disney as Florida. FLORIDA!
I think going to Disney with limited capacity sounds awesome, but there’s a pandemic, so it’s a big no from me for the foreseeable future. Disney is clean and organized, yes, but you can’t predict what other tourists will do.
This is so dumb, amusement parks should be the absolute last thing to open.
I’m not sure if this is helpful Hecate, but Quest Diagnostics has an option for you to order the antibody test and pay for it yourself (not on your health insurance). I don’t know if that is only offered in Florida. It isn’t the same as the current swab test, but if your IgM came back positive it would indicate you probably have active disease or just had it, or if IgG came back positive you could see you already had it.
Edited to add: I am not a physician.
This is very helpful, thank you. I was also thinking of donating blood, I figure they have to scan for COVID, right? The issue, fortunately, is I am almost at no risk of having it. But my folks are in the 80s and my mom will be recovering form open heart surgery so we all just wanted to be doubly sure.
Yesterday, LA county had its biggest one day total for reported infections. Since the pandemic began.
My county had its biggest one day total for reported infections on Monday. The county next to me had it on Tuesday. We are rapidly regressing.
Disneyland is the last place that should open right now.
Yesterday neighboring Riverside County announced that both Coachella and Stagecoach festivals, which were postponed until October, are now cancelled.
It is a shit show. I was so proud of California initial response, but now it’s wtf. Disney just choose the July date cause it’s their anniversary.
On Monday, the Orange County Health Director, who made masks mandatory, was forced to quit over pushback from the residents and council members, in addition to death threats from people upset about the mandate. Death threats! Yesterday, the interim director revoked the mask mandate. 🤦🏽♀️
The supervisors aren’t backing up the health orders-it’s totally appalling. Cases in Orange County are spiking! Wtf-why can’t people just wear masks??!
I have friends who work at Disneyland. I’m worried for them. They’re anxious about returning to work and having to enforce the social distancing rules. They already have a hard enough time with selfie sticks. I’ve lived in Orange County for most of my life though, and I’m not surprised that they’re pushing to open. Our county health director just had to leave her job because she was getting death threats. I personally decided against returning to my bartending job because I know people won’t stay the hell away from me and my old boss, according to my coworkers, is still refusing to provide plexiglass barriers by the cash registers or any additional precautions for his staff. He said it would not encourage people to spend money if they were reminded of the pandemic.
This all sounds so awful.
People have legitimate beefs with my Governor Andrew Cuomo but he carried us through this.
My state was the epicenter and we now have the lowest curve in the country. Governor Cuomo had us on a very tight leash but his diligence has paid off.
He’s made it clear that restaurants and bars that do not follow the safety mandates will lose their liquor license/ license to operate.
I fear for what will come next. I don’t know if this is the second wave they spoke of or just a worsening of the first wave because we didn’t do what we were supposed to do.
Just don’t understand. Take your kids next year…better yet wait until the year after that. Your kids are still small. They will be able to experience it in a couple of years