Disneyland Closure Continues As Orange County Remains In High Risk COVID-19 Tier
Yesterday, we here at MickeyBlog shared details with you that Disneyland was opening up its DVC property at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa (to members only) beginning December 6th while at the same time announcing that all regular hotel reservations were being cancelled through 2020. This means that Disneyland and Disney California theme parks are unlikely to reopen this year, a fact that seems backed-up by a recent announcement by the State of California.
In a video released today, California Health & Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly announced that no California counties have had few enough new COVID-19 cases to relax closures. Orange County where Disneyland is located continues to be in a “high risk” tier. This means that the theme parks must continue to remain closed until further notice.
You can check out the video below:
Earlier this fall, California Governor Gavin Newsom and his team at the Health Department released tiered reopening guidelines for businesses in California. In a move that sparked controversy and angered Disney executives, the directive given by the state was that Disneyland could not reopen until Orange County reached the yellow or minimal tier in the plan.
With the county currently at high risk, it would need to transition to moderate risk and then again to low risk before Disneyland and California Adventure are given a green light. With a recent spike in COVID-19 cases that is expected to continue throughout the winter it is unlikely that we will see a theme park reopening until some point in 2021.
As of going to print, the only areas at Disneyland Resort that remain open are the Downtown Disney shopping and dining district and Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure. However, it should be noted that only the one street is open at DCA and ONLY the retail/dining areas are open. Attractions will continue to remain closed at both theme parks.
The lengthy closure of Disneyland has hit The Walt Disney Company hard and served as a catalyst for Disney’s decision to lay off 28,000 workers across all domestic parks in the lead into the holiday season. Just yesterday, we here at MickeyBlog announced that another round of layoffs has just occurred with an estimated 10,000 Disneyland employees now being unemployed.
Guests with Disneyland reservations through until the end of 2020 are being issued a full refund for any cancellations. 2021 Disneyland vacation packages have not gone on sale as of yet meaning as of going to print no Disneyland vacation reservations are currently being accept.
This is a story that we will continue to follow closely here at MickeyBlog. Readers are encouraged to keep checking in with us for further news and updates.