Disneyland to be Among the Last Theme Parks to Reopen
Anaheim City Council backs bill to open Disneyland ASAP
While members of the Anaheim City Council recently passed legislation attempting to ease the way to an ASAP reopening of Disneyland, the park and other local attractions, will be among the last theme parks in the United States to reopen.
New York Sets Opening Dates for Theme Parks
Today, The Orange County Registers’ Brady MacDonald reported:
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that outdoor amusement parks can reopen on April 9 with 33% attendance capacity limits and a host of “new normal” COVID-19 health and safety requirements — mandatory face coverings, social distancing, temperature checks, and enhanced cleaning protocols.
The reopening of New York amusement parks leaves Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California, and other California theme parks wondering when they can reopen.
Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG
“We are thrilled our sister park Legoland New York will be able to celebrate its grand opening this year now that Gov. Cuomo has announced the reopening of family attractions, including outdoor theme parks,” Legoland California president Kurt Stocks said in a statement. “We anticipate Gov. Newsom to follow suit and announce similar dates for the responsible reopening of theme parks in California allowing Legoland California Resort to reopen its gates to our guests soon.”
Meanwhile, In Anaheim
However, in Anaheim, local support for Disneyland’s reopening is not unanimous.
The Los Angeles Times explained:
Councilman Jose Moreno, the only dissenting vote, said the council should be focusing more on public health rather than the economy or reopening Disneyland.
“I am extremely worried because it seems that we can’t keep our eye on the ball,” said Moreno, a staunch critic of Disneyland… who said that while he was impressed by Disneyland’s “bubble environment,” he is more worried about the potential spreading of the virus in the surrounding resort area.
“We are talking about pushing legislation to allow sooner, 25,000 to 35,000 visitors to come to Anaheim every single day,” Moreno said. “Not to mention the 5,000 to 10,000 employees who will have to work to serve those folks.”
According to the VoiceofOC.org, the bill in question would allow larger theme parks, like Disneyland Resort and Knott’s Berry Farm, to open at 25% in the moderate tier just like smaller parks in the area.
Photo: Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
