After a year of misery, the happiest place on earth is finally reopening

Walt Disney Co. has confirmed it plans to reopen both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on the US West Coast at the end of April 2021.

The Californian theme parks have both been closed for more than a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The day all of us have long been waiting for is almost here,” Ken Potrock, President of the Disneyland Resort said on Wednesday [17 March 2021].

“We’re excited to have more than 10,000 cast members returning to work as we get ready to welcome our guests back to this happy place.”

There’s a catch

Disney says it plans to open the resorts on 30 April with a significantly reduced capacity of about 15 per cent.

The reduced guest numbers are necessary to comply with governmental requirements while promoting physical distancing.

Disneyland will only open to Californian residents and guests will need to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance via a new theme park reservation system.

Both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park and on the same date are required for guests aged 3 and up.

Donald Duck at Disneyland Resort, California

More details on the new reservation system will drop at a later date.

The good news is that Disneyland will reopen with several new experiences, including the reimagined Snow White’s Enchanted Wish at Disneyland.

By the time Australians can travel, they will be well and truly running smoothly.

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Disneyland hotels

A phased reopening of Disney’s hotels at Disneyland Resort is also planned.

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will reopen on 29 April, also with limited capacity.

Disneyland Paradise Pier and Disneyland Hotel will open at a later date.

“Just as the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort reopened with enhanced health and safety measures, operational changes will be in place at the theme parks and hotels to align with guidance from health authorities and learnings from our parks around the world to promote physical distancing, enhanced cleanliness and reduced contact,” Disney said.

“This guidance is fluid and applicable at any given time as community situations change.”

The park also noted that “upon reopening, certain parks, hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences and other offerings will be modified or unavailable, will have limited capacity and will be subject to limited availability or even closure, and park admission and offerings are not guaranteed.”

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