Megan reports on Disneyland Resort‘s response to the COVID-19 outbreak and the potential re-opening of attractions
After being unable to come to an agreement with various theme park employee unions, the Disneyland Resort is delaying the reopening of both its California Theme Parks (Disneyland and California Adventure) to a currently unknown date. This is despite the sharp uptick in COVID-19 cases throughout the state following the reopening of many businesses. The uptick is so high that California Governor Gavin Newsom is set to reinstate previous COVID restrictions.
Despite this, Downtown Disney, in Anaheim, California is still set to reopen on July 9th, with COVID precautions in place (social distancing and mask-wearing), as was previously announced. This is due to agreements with Downtown Disney employee unions having already being reached before the large spike in COVID cases. More theme park reopening instructions are expected to come from “The State of California…sometime after July 4”.
Until then, all US-based Disney theme parks have been receiving push backs from employees and the public alike. So much so, that Katie Belisle, a Disney World Attractions hostess, began a petition that has since garnered more than 7,000 signatures to keep the Florida parks closed until further notice. It is the same thing Disneyland employee unions in California fought for and won due to the health and safety concerns of those they represent. Time will tell if/how the rise in cases impacts Downtown Disney, the Disneyland Resorts and parks, and even the Walt Disney World locations.
Whenever Disneyland Resorts and its parks do eventually reopen with the use of an online reservation system, guests can still expect to encounter requirements regarding social distancing, facing a temperature screening before entering either of the parks, lower capacity at both parks, and having to wear a mask that covers both the nose and mouth at all times when not eating or drinking. Experiences that typically draw huge crowds, such as “Fantasmic” at Disneyland, “World of Color” at California Adventure, character meet-and-greets, and various parades at both parks, are still expected to be postponed until further notice. It is also unknown, however unlikely if park hopping will be allowed once both parks do reopen.
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Megan Rickards is a prolific Staff Writer for The Future of the Force. Aside from being extremely passionate about Star Wars, Batman: The Animated Series, and the Arrowverse, Megan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature and Writing. Follow her on Twitter @FindingHerSpot where she channels the Force frequently and @FAAPOV where she hosts her own blog.
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Author
I am a major “Star Wars” fan who currently writes for Future of the Force and is absolutely loving it! Until my writing career really takes off, I am now writing for Future of the Force full time, having graduated Spring 2018 with my Bachelor’s Degree in Literature and Writing.
My other interests include ABC’s “The Good Doctor”, CW’s “Arrow” and “The Flash”, and DC’s “Batman”. Of all the iterations of Batman, my favorite would definitely have to be 1992’s “Batman: The Animated Series”.
If you want to stop by and talk, please feel free to send me a tweet. I promise to get back to you as soon as I can.
