It’s official! We first learned that Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure would be reopening in April. Now we know that the Disneyland Resort will actually reopen on April 30, 2021!
“The day all of us have long been waiting for is almost here,” said Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort. “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.”
What To Expect
Due to significantly limited theme park capacity, which will be in place in order to comply with governmental requirements and promote physical distancing, the Disneyland Resort will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system. This system will requires all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance. To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date are required for Guests ages 3 and up. Theme park reservations will be limited and subject to availability. Also, unfortunately for those of us who don’t live in California, until further notice, only California residents may visit the parks in line with current state guidelines. Official details of the park reservation system haven’t been released. With that in mind, one would expect that they will work in a similar fashion to Walt Disney World Resort’s version works.
A top priority will be keeping the health and well-being of Guests and Cast Members in mind. There will be enhanced health and safety measures in place. There will also be operational changes at the theme parks and hotels. These will be based on guidance from health authorities, as well as what Disney has learned from its other parks around the world. These will include changes to promote physical distancing, enhanced cleanliness and reduced contact. There will be Cast Members throughout the resort that will be there to assist with any questions. And yes, face coverings will remain mandatory for guests ages 2 and older.
Theme Park Fun
When the parks reopen, classic and new attractions will begin to open at both parks.
On the new front, Guests can experience the reimagined Snow White’s Enchanted Wish. When the parks reopen, this attraction will opens to Guests for the very first time. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish will feature new scenes, new shadow projections, glittering jewels and shimmering effects make the mine sparkle and Snow White and her Prince riding joyfully into a golden sunset. More details about the update can be found here.
Oh and speaking of new magic, Haunted Mansion will also open with recent updates!
In addition, attractions like the recently opened before the pandemic, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will be open for Guests. Guests will also be able to experience favorite attractions like Peter Pan’s Flight, Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Incredicoaster, Toy Story Midway Mania!, The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, and more.
What about Avengers Campus? The completely new land where Guests can live their best Super Hero lives was supposed to open last year in July. Unfortunately, that won’t be open when Guests visit the parks. Avengers Campus will instead open at a later date at Disney California Adventure.
What’s Different?
Of course, there will be a few differences when the parks reopen.
First things first, there won’t be character meet and greets. There will still be character interactions available! There may be surprise appearances by favorite Disney and Pixar characters. These appearances will happen across both parks in new ways and unexpected places. And yes, they will remain mindful of physical distancing. For example, at Disneyland, Guests may see Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse waving from the train station. They may also find Disney Princesses such as Mulan appearing at the Royal Theatre to wave and pose at a distance for Guests taking selfies. At Disney California Adventure, Pixar pals may wave from the bandshell at Pixar Pier. Guests can take photos with Mater and Lightning McQueen along Route 66 in Cars Land.
Other changes will include no nighttime experiences, no FASTPASS, no MaxPass, no parades, no Magic Mornings, and no Extra Magic Hour. More details about that can be found here.
Dining
For those looking to nosh on Disneyland favorites, they will still be available. Mobile ordering on the official Disneyland app will be the primary way to order food and drinks. Dining reservations are recommended for table service dining locations.
Use of the Disneyland app to plan ahead and make the most of your visit to the Disneyland Resort is strongly suggested. Mobile wait list (subject to availability) and mobile check-in options will be available for table-service dining at select locations. Disneyland Resort also recommends cashless transactions such as electronic payment to reduce contact. And Guests should also use the app to check park hours, make dining reservations, and see other important resort updates.
Disneyland Resort Hotel
The Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are also planning to reopen in phases. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa plans to reopen on April 29, 2021, with limited capacity. Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will plan to reopen May 2. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel will reopen at a later date.
Guests with valid theme park admission who are planning a stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel will need to also book theme park reservations in advance; a hotel stay does not guarantee a park reservation. Hotel capacity will be limited. Guests may book hotel stays for Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, or a nearby Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Hotel soon.
A Touch of Disney
For those who purchased tickets to A Touch of Disney, the limited-time ticketed experience, it will go on as planned at Disney California Adventure from March 18 through April 19. This event has officially sold out.
The plans to open the Disneyland Resort and the theme parks are phased and subject to change. These changes will align with any guidance released from time to time by health authorities and appropriate government agencies. This guidance is fluid and applicable at any given time as community situations change. With that guidance, many factors will determine the timing of when offerings may be available. It will also impact the status of indoor and outdoor experiences.
Who else is ready to visit Disneyland once again?
