Disneyland Announces Reopening Plan For California Hotels And Theme Parks

"When will Disneyland re-open?" is a question that's been on many Disney fans' minds since the Covid-19 pandemic forced theme parks to close along with countless other businesses earlier this year. Now, we have an answer: pending government approval, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products plans to re-open Anaheim, California's Downtown Disney District on July 9, Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure on July 17, and the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Paradise Pier Hotel on July 23.

The company announced its "proposal" in a press release. In order to make re-opening safer and limit spread of the virus, they plan to institute a new reservations system for park entry. "Because theme park capacity will be significantly limited to comply with governmental requirements and promote physical distancing, the Disneyland Resort will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that will require all guests, including Annual Passholders, to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance," the announcement says. Details about that reservation system are forthcoming and will be available on Disneyland.com. In the meantime, regular new ticket sales as well as annual pass sales and renewals will remain paused.

Even when the parks and other areas re-open, events and attractions that draw large crowds--including parades, "nighttime spectaculars," and character meet and greets--will still be on hold, to "return at a later date" (although characters will still be present in some capacity). In the hotels, physical distancing guidelines and enhanced cleaning measures will take effect. Disney promised additional "enhanced health and safety measures" once the park and hotels re-open in order to further ensure guest safety.

Prior to this official news, the Orange County Register reported that California plans to allow theme parks to re-open beginning in Stage 3 of the government's four-stage process to reopening the economy. We're currently in Stage 2, and Stage 3 is expected to begin any time. That means Disney's plan could very well go ahead as proposed, and Disneyland parks, hotels, and shopping centers could re-open as soon as July.

Meanwhile, Universal Studios Orlando has begun the process of re-opening as well, with similar strict guidelines planned to help keep guests safe.

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