Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and the crew are bringing back the magic of the happiest place on earth as the gates to Disneyland open, for the first time in over a year.
On Friday 30 April, Disney characters, cast members, and guests can come together and celebrate (in a COVID-safe style) the reopening of Disneyland Resort in California.
The Disneyland and Californian Adventure parks have been closed for a whopping 412 days – the longest closure in Disneyland’s 65- year history.
If you’re in Califonia and were lucky enough to score yourself a ticket – which, according to the LA Times was a 28-hour odyssey for some – or if you’re a Disnerd and counting down the days until you can visit once again, you might be wondering what the go is.
“We’re not just another place, we’re not just another theme park. We’re something special, and we’re something special because of all of you, because you bring magic to the world,”
Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company
According to an article on the official Disney Parks blog, guests can get ready to once again experience favorite attractions at both parks, from thrilling adventures like the new Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and the Incredicoaster to family-friendly experiences like Peter Pan’s Flight and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.
New magic is set to be unveiled, too, as the reimagined Snow White’s Enchanted Wish opens to guests for the very first time.
Certain experiences that draw large group gatherings – such as parades and nighttime spectaculars – are currently closed and will return at a later date.
Main Street USA might look a little different, with all cast members and guests 2 years and older having to wear masks, even if vaccinated. But we’re sure the masks will be bright and smiley with various Disney designs.
There will be also signage and markings on the ground, reminding guests to keep their distance from anyone outside of their households.
Unfortunately, the days of hugging our favourite characters are behind us. The best they can do in these COVID-times is a friendly wave.
However, there is a silver lining to the tight restrictions. The parks will be running at roughly 25% capacity, meaning no big crowds and less time queuing for rides.
Plus, Disneyland says that beloved characters are expected to pop up in new ways and sometimes in unexpected places as they remain mindful of social distancing. Who doesn’t love a sneaky character surprise?
Because the theme park complies with governmental requirements, the Disneyland Resort will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that requires all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance.
Here’s the three-step process:
- Check Disney’s theme park availability calendar in order to confirm that the park you want to visit is available for the date you want.
- Purchase park tickets and log into a My Disney Experience account.
- Make a park pass reservation. The system will only allow you to make a reservation if you have a ticket.
Theme park reservations will be limited and subject to availability and, until further notice, only California residents may visit the parks in line with current state guidelines.
For those based in Australia and New Zealand, all we can do is for the moment is live precariously through our friends in the USA, keep up to date with the restrictions and start planning the next trip to Disneyland.
Because it’s safe to say, we all need a little extra magic, childlike joy and wonder in our lives right now.
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Header Image: Disney Parks