Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are planning to officially reopen to the public on April 30, 2021, with limited capacity.
“The day all of us have long been waiting for is almost here,” said Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort, in a press statement. “We’re excited to have more than 10,000 cast members returning to work as we get ready to welcome our guests back to this happy place.”
In addition, the reimagined Snow White’s Enchanted Wish will open to guests for the very first time.
Once again, guests will experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, embark on a voyage on Pirates of the Caribbean, set sail with children from around the globe on “it’s a small world” and zip along Route 66 on Radiator Springs Racers.
In the days leading up to the public opening on April 30, Disneyland Resort will invite cast members and members of the local community to be the first theme park guests after more than a year of closure.
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 requires all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance. To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date are required for guests ages 3 and up. 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.
More details about this new reservation system will be available soon. In addition, guests are encouraged to check disneyland.com for the latest updates as they become available for theme park tickets, hotel booking and vacation packages, dining reservations and activity reservations such as Droid Depot.
Just as the Downtown Disney District reopened at Disneyland Resort on July 9, 2020 with enhanced health and safety measures, operational changes will be in place at the theme parks and hotels based on guidance from health authorities and learnings from Disney parks around the world to promote physical distancing, enhanced cleanliness and reduced contact. Cast members throughout the resort will be dedicated to assist with questions, and guests may check disneyland.com/update for the most current health and safety measures, including mandatory face coverings for guests ages 2 and older.
A Touch of Disney, the limited-time ticketed experience that has sold out, will go on as planned at Disney California Adventure from March 18 through April 19.
New & Updated Attractions at the Park
Attractions will also begin to open at both parks—from experiences like the new Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance to family-friendly experiences like Peter Pan’s Flight and Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind. And at Disneyland, extended refurbishments are underway at the Haunted Mansion.
Additionally, Snow White’s Enchanted Wish now features new scenes, including a dancing figure of Snow White joining the dwarfs in their cottage as the scent of a baking pie wafts through the air. New shadow projections show the dwarfs as they march off to the mine singing “Heigh Ho,” and the new lighting and shimmering effects make the mine sparkle. Guests then travel through the Queen’s den to see a new library of spell books, glowing potions and bubbling flasks, toward the famous magic mirror. In the end, Snow White and her Prince ride off into a golden sunset.
On the must-do list for many guests will be a journey to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the largest and most technologically advanced single-themed land expansion ever in a Disney park. The newest attraction in the land, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, opened in January 2020. It takes guests aboard a full-size transport shuttle before they are captured by a Star Destroyer, finding themselves in the middle of a climactic battle between the dark side of the First Order and the light side of the Resistance, including BB-8, Rey and Chewbacca.
Avengers Campus, a completely new land, will open at a later date at Disney California Adventure.
Interacting with the Characters
Along Main Street, U.S.A., and Pixar Pier, and everywhere in-between, dozens of characters from Disney and Pixar stories will entertain guests across both parks. Characters will pop up in new ways, and sometimes in unexpected places, as they remain mindful of physical distancing.
At Disneyland, guests may see Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse waving from the train station, or Disney Princesses such as Mulan appear at the Royal Theatre to wave and pose at a distance for guests taking selfies. At Disney California Adventure, Pixar pals may wave from the bandshell at Pixar Pier, and guests can share a laugh while taking photos with Mater and Lightning McQueen along Route 66 in Cars Land.
Certain experiences that draw large group gatherings—such as parades and nighttime spectaculars—will return at a later date.
Dining at the Parks
At several locations around the resort, mobile ordering on the official Disneyland app now is the primary way to order food and drinks. Dining reservations are recommended for table-service restaurants.
Hotels are Reopening Too
The hotels of the Disneyland Resort also plan to welcome guests once again, with a phased reopening. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa plans to reopen on April 29, 2021, with limited capacity. Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is set to reopen May 2. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel will reopen at a later date.
Guests with a valid theme park admission, who are planning a stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel, will need to also book theme park reservations in advance, as a hotel stay does not guarantee a park reservation. Hotel capacity will be limited.
The Disneyland App
Guests are strongly encouraged to use the Disneyland app to plan ahead and utilize mobile ordering for food and beverage purchases from select locations, as well as to check park hours, make dining reservations, and view maps and other important resort updates. Mobile wait list (subject to availability) and mobile check-in options will be available for table-service dining at select locations. Disneyland Resort also recommends cashless transactions such as electronic payment to reduce contact.
For more information, visit disneyland.com.
Don’t miss how Walt Disney World Resort is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Don’t miss, “Walt Disney World is Reopening—Here’s What Your Clients Need to Know.” And, the Park Pass Reservation System info to Help Maintain Social Distancing.
