Disneyland, other Calif. parks may reopen soon

Disneyland and other California theme parks could reopen as soon as April 1 under updated guidelines from California’s health department, more than a year after closures that cost the parks billions of dollars and thousands of jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new guidelines and date were issued as part of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s reopening strategy, according to a report in The Orange County Register on Friday.

California theme parks have been closed since March 2020 under COVID-19 health and safety reopening guidelines issued by the state. Many parks have partially reopened for special events and food festivals without rides.

Disney World in Orlando closed last March as well but has been reopen since July with limited capacity.

The Newsom administration’s “Blueprint Refresh” allows Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California and other California theme parks to reopen at 15% as early as April 1 once the counties in which they are located reach certain lower levels of virus infection.

Attendance will be limited to California residents. Updated guidelines will be worked out in partnership with theme parks, the newspaper reported.