For the latest news and information on the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO website.
For the first time in its 65-year history, Disneyland announced that it would close its doors for a full month in 2020 COVID-19, iconic California Theme parks closed on March 12th - and stayed closed. Since then we've all wondered when Disneyland can open and why it doesn't take that long Disney's other global theme parks have reopened, including Walt Disney World on the opposite coast of the United States.
Disneyland initially announced an optimistic reopening date on July 17th, its 65th anniversary. But it was forced to retrace those plans in late June when California refused to issue theme park guidelines.
For more of that
Subscribe to the CNET Now newsletter to receive the most important stories of the day from our editors.
"We have no choice but to postpone the reopening of our theme parks and resort hotels until we get approval from government officials," said Disney Parks tweeted back then.
When can Disneyland reopen?
California finally announced its theme park reopening policy on October 20th: The state will not allow large parks like Disneyland to open until the county they're in is at the "yellow" or minimum level COVID-19 transmission is what Orange County means must have fewer than one new coronavirus case per 100,000 residents per day, and fewer than 2% of tests must be positive.
At the moment, Orange County is still in the red with a "significant" spread of COVID-19. There are currently 5.1 new cases per day and 100,000 people with a 3.2% positive rate on test results.
Disney protested the strict rules and called them "arbitrary" and "impractical". Ken Potrock, president of Disneyland, said the company has proven it can responsibly open. "The state of California continues to ignore this fact," he said. "Government policies will keep us closed for the foreseeable future ... irreparably destroying the Anaheim, Southern California community."
But California Minister of Health and Welfare Dr. Mark Ghaly said on October 20 that he "believes it is possible" for Orange County to reach the yellow tier, pointing out that San Francisco County has already done so. Ghaly added it will require hard work, constant vigilance, extensive testing and contact tracing.
According to The Orange County Register, on Oct. 14, Disneyland reached an agreement with eleven unions representing its workers so it can open immediately. The California Health and Welfare Agency reportedly dispatched state health officials to investigate Disney World in Florida in the first week of October, the Los Angeles Times reported.
What will Disneyland look like when it reopens?
Once Disneyland reopens, parking capacity is limited to 25% and reservations are required. Plexiglass has already been installed in the park entry points.
Smaller theme parks - those with a total capacity of 15,000 people or less - are allowed to reopen once their county has reached the orange or "moderate" level. However, they are limited to 25% or 500 people, whichever is lower ;; Only outdoor attractions can be open. Reservations are required; and only locals can participate.
Downtown Disney is already open
If you can't do without a taste of the magic of Disneyland, the shopping and dining area at Downtown Disney reopened on July 9, in accordance with California restaurant and retail opening guidelines.
The opening times are limited to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. only the Simba parking lot is open; Guests with a temperature of 100.4 Fahrenheit or higher are not permitted. Hand disinfection and hand washing stations are available throughout the region. All guests must bring and wear their own masks. and there are floor markings for social distancing. Capacity is also limited in shops and restaurants.
Disney announced on October 23 that, starting November 19, it will also expand the Downtown Disney shopping and dining district to include the main street area of the California Adventure theme park, which extends from Buena Vista Street to the Carthay Circle Lounge.
Why was Disney World allowed to reopen?
Disney was able to reopen the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th. Epcot and Hollywood Studios soon followed on July 15. This was allowed under Florida's less stringent state and local guidelines.
Social distancing and wellness measures are in place at Orlando Disney Parks, including temperature tests, wearing masks that keep guests two meters apart and directing them to attractions, and a guest reservation system to limit capacity. Fireworks were also suspended.
Disney Springs' shopping and dining area reopened May 20 with limited parking, fewer entrances, pre-entry temperature controls, required masks, physically distant lines and barriers, reduced hours, no entertainment, and more disinfectants and disinfectants. Disney's shops and restaurants in Disney Springs reopened May 27th.
Layoffs across the US theme park business
Vacationers aren't the only ones hit by Disneyland's ongoing closure - Disney announced on September 29th that it would lay off 28,000 US employees The blame lies in reduced capacity at the theme parks due to social distancing requirements as well as "California's unwillingness to lift restrictions that would allow Disneyland to reopen".
"We made the very difficult decision to start cutting our workforce in our Parks, Experiences and Products segment at all levels because we have been keeping non-working actors on vacation since April and at the same time paying health care benefits," said Josh D'Amaro. Disney Parks chair said in a statement. "Approximately 28,000 domestic workers will be affected, approximately 67% of whom are part-time."
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions about a disease or health goals.