Disneyland, California Adventure to reopen on April 30

The “Happiest Place on Earth” has an official reopening date.

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Earlier this month Disney CEO Bob Chapek said that Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure would reopen in late April, but on Wednesday, the company said that the gates will open to guests on April 30.

Disneyland parks closed in 2020 on March 14, while the hotels closed on March 16, CNN reported last year.

Capacity will be limited and only California residents will be allowed to visit, park officials said.

California health officials said in early March that they would allow some outdoor activities to resume, with capacity restrictions in place, as early as April 1. That plan included theme parks.

Chapek said when the initial announcement was made that the park couldn’t be opened on April 1, because 10,000 laid off cast members have to be rehired and retrained to be able to comply with the state’s new requirements.

There are guidelines concerning ride times, enclosures and capacity. Guest entry will be limited to California residents when the parks do reopen, KABC reported.

Capacity rates will be able to increase as the county, which for Disneyland is Orange County, moves from red to orange to yellow threat level, The New York Times reported.

There will be no parades or nighttime shows when the park reopens, park officials said.

It will also use a theme park reservation system that requires guests to secure an entry spot for a specific park, along with a valid theme park admission ticket. The reservation is needed for anyone aged 3 and up.

Prior to the reopening, cast members and members of the local community will be invited to preview the park before April 30.

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will reopen to limited capacity on April 29, and The Disney Vacation Club area of the hotel is scheduled to reopen to members on May 2. Disney’s Paradise Pier and Disneyland Hotel do not have reopening dates set yet.

Until April 30 arrives, fans of Disneyland can get into at least one of the parks.

A limited-time and limited-capacity ticketed event called “A Touch of Disney” will be held at Disney’s California Adventure starting March 18 and running through April 19. Tickets are sold out but those who were able to get one will be able to buy food and merchandise. No rides are in operation. The Downtown Disney shopping and entertainment district has also been partially open over recent weeks.

Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida closed on March 15, 2020, and remained closed until July. It has been operating at a reduced capacity.

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Cox Media Group