>>Disneyland, Universal and other California theme parks cleared to reopen under revised state guidelines may not return to full operations with rides and attractions until late April or even May because of previously scheduled special events.
California theme parks can reopen on April 1 provided the counties they reside in reach the red/substantial tier 2 risk status of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s updated Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
Many California theme parks have partially reopened with limited-time food festivals and special events that could affect their return to full operations. Most theme parks in the state have not set dates for reopening with rides and attractions.
When California theme parks reopen will be determined by a number of factors — including hiring, training, revenue expectations and ongoing special events.
Some California theme parks could find it more financially feasible to temporarily continue operating in a special event mode rather than abide by the revised amusement park guidelines. Labor is one of the biggest expenses for theme parks and it may make sense to operate without rides or entertainment while attendance capacity limits remain low. It’s expected to take two to four weeks for California theme parks to hire and train new and returning employees.
The parks likely won’t cancel the special events considering the amount of planning involved and the disappointment it would cause fans. Some parks may opt to operate as a theme park on some days and under looser special event guidelines on other days for a limited time. Another option: Blend in rides during the special events as the parks ramp up to full operation.
The most likely option will be to return — with capacity limits — once the events come to an end.<<
>>When are the parks expected to reopen?
Magic Mountain could become the first California theme park to fully reopen on April 1 — with the Valencia park’s drive-thru auto show coming to an end two weeks earlier.
Disneyland could reopen on April 1 after remaining shuttered for more than a year.
Disney California Adventure could return to full operation on April 20 — or even sooner on April 6 when A Touch of Disney is dark. It wouldn’t be surprising if Disney waited until late April or early May to reopen both Anaheim theme parks. Disney moved cautiously last summer and reopened its four Florida parks after its rivals.
Universal Studios Hollywood could reopen on April 5 after the Taste of Universal ends — although the park could return as early as April 1 when the event is dark. Universal moved swiftly last summer to reopen in Florida and is expected to do the same in California.
Knott’s, SeaWorld, Legoland and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom could all reopen on May 3 after their events come to an end. But Discovery Kingdom (April 5), SeaWorld (April 6), Knott’s (April 12) and Legoland (April 12) could all reopen sooner on dark dates.
California’s Great America — which was the first California theme park to announce a reopening date — will likely be the last major park in the state to return on May 22. The Santa Clara park never opened in 2020 and didn’t hold any special events during the pandemic.<<
www.ocregister.com
California theme parks can reopen on April 1 provided the counties they reside in reach the red/substantial tier 2 risk status of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s updated Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
Many California theme parks have partially reopened with limited-time food festivals and special events that could affect their return to full operations. Most theme parks in the state have not set dates for reopening with rides and attractions.
When California theme parks reopen will be determined by a number of factors — including hiring, training, revenue expectations and ongoing special events.
Some California theme parks could find it more financially feasible to temporarily continue operating in a special event mode rather than abide by the revised amusement park guidelines. Labor is one of the biggest expenses for theme parks and it may make sense to operate without rides or entertainment while attendance capacity limits remain low. It’s expected to take two to four weeks for California theme parks to hire and train new and returning employees.
The parks likely won’t cancel the special events considering the amount of planning involved and the disappointment it would cause fans. Some parks may opt to operate as a theme park on some days and under looser special event guidelines on other days for a limited time. Another option: Blend in rides during the special events as the parks ramp up to full operation.
The most likely option will be to return — with capacity limits — once the events come to an end.<<
>>When are the parks expected to reopen?
Magic Mountain could become the first California theme park to fully reopen on April 1 — with the Valencia park’s drive-thru auto show coming to an end two weeks earlier.
Disneyland could reopen on April 1 after remaining shuttered for more than a year.
Disney California Adventure could return to full operation on April 20 — or even sooner on April 6 when A Touch of Disney is dark. It wouldn’t be surprising if Disney waited until late April or early May to reopen both Anaheim theme parks. Disney moved cautiously last summer and reopened its four Florida parks after its rivals.
Universal Studios Hollywood could reopen on April 5 after the Taste of Universal ends — although the park could return as early as April 1 when the event is dark. Universal moved swiftly last summer to reopen in Florida and is expected to do the same in California.
Knott’s, SeaWorld, Legoland and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom could all reopen on May 3 after their events come to an end. But Discovery Kingdom (April 5), SeaWorld (April 6), Knott’s (April 12) and Legoland (April 12) could all reopen sooner on dark dates.
California’s Great America — which was the first California theme park to announce a reopening date — will likely be the last major park in the state to return on May 22. The Santa Clara park never opened in 2020 and didn’t hold any special events during the pandemic.<<
When will Disneyland and other California theme parks reopen?
California theme parks can reopen on April 1, but some could wait until late April or even May because of previously-scheduled special events.
www.ocregister.com
