Disney announced that it is planning to reopen its Southern California theme parks in July after a four-month closure due to the pandemic.
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products said in a statement that they wish to reopen Downtown Disney District on 9 July, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on 17 July and on-site hotels on 23 July.
Disney also said that advance reservations will be required for theme park visitors and will allow limited capacity and parades, character meet and greets will not be available but characters will ‘delight guests’ in new ways. Though the House of Mouse is yet to receive Government approval.
This news has come the same day Anaheim recorded a spike in new cases, with another 79 infections reported after three days of 20 or fewer daily cases. California is poised to enter the third phase of its four-stage reopening plan, despite the state’s toll of deaths and infections growing again and some social media users have criticised Disney’s decision to reopen its theme parks as ‘irresponsible.
California recently announced plans to let many of its counties reopen gyms, bars and museums — hasn’t yet set a timeline for amusement parks to reopen. More than 4,700 people have died in the state from the virus, which causes mild or moderate symptoms.
This is the first time in 65 years that Disneyland remained closed for four months since it first opened its gates in 1955. According to Jason Schultz, supervisory archivist at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum and unofficial Disneyland historian, the last closure was after the terror attacks on 11 September, 2001.
Mike Lyster, a spokesman for the city of Anaheim, has welcomed news of the reopening after such a long closure, and said local officials are confident Disney can manage attendance and keep the surrounding community safe.
“Next to saving lives, recovery is the most important part of any incident. It will be a major morale boost as we all look to go into a period of recovery,” he said.