Disneyland Reopening Delayed
Disneyland just released a statement via the official Disney Parks News Twitter account that indicates the reopening of both Disney California Adventure and Disneyland has been delayed from the planned date of July 17, 2020, with no opening date set.
This comes as California, and Orange County in particular, have seen a recent surge in cases as reopening plans have moved forward. It’s also occurring against the backdrop of Cast Member petitions, and a call by some union leaders to protest outside of the parks in Anaheim.
Here’s the statement from Disneyland Resort in full:
“We previously announced a proposed phased reopening of our theme parks for July 17, pending government approvals. We developed enhanced health and safety protocols for both Cast Members and guest at Shanghai Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and Walt Disney World Resort that have been approved, allowing us to reopen in a responsible manner and bring our Cast Members back to work.
The State of California has now indicated that it will not issue theme park reopening guidelines until sometime after July 4. Given the time required for us to bring thousands of Cast Members back to work and restart our business, we have no choice but to delay the reopening of our theme parks and resort hotels until we receive approval from government officials.
Once we have a clearer understanding of when guidelines will be released, we expect to be able to communicate a reopening date.
Our Downtown Disney District will reopen on July 9, 2020 as previously announced with health and safety protocols in place for our Cast Members and guests. The opening of Downtown Disney District has been previously approved in line with restaurant and retail openings throughout California. The Master Services Union, which represents our retail Cast at this location, previously signed an agreement for members to return to work.
In order to reopen our theme parks, we need to negotiate agreements with our unions to return employees to work. We have had positive discussions and are very pleased to have signed agreements from 20 union affiliates, including the Master Services Council, which represents more than 11,000 of our Cast Members. The signed agreement details plans that include enhanced safety protocols that will allow us to responsibly reopen, and get thousands of our Cast Members back to work.
We thank our Cast Members and guests for their patience during this unprecedented time while we await approval from government officials.”
Reading between the lines a bit, it seems there’s an aura of animosity and mild annoyance towards the State of California (in not moving faster to approve reopening plans) and towards local unions (in presenting roadblocks to reopening). It’s the same type of below-the-surface tension that used to imbue press releases during the peak of when Disneyland Resort and the City of Anaheim were at odds.
While blaming the lack of approval from the State of California is a convenient excuse for Disney to postpone the reopening, we suspect there’s more to the decision than that, and the approval process is simply the best face-saving option to present publicly. Additionally, it’s likely no coincidence that the union agreements and cooperation are mentioned numerous times in that statement, offering subtle pushback against the narrative that unions and Cast Members are against the reopening plans.
As mentioned above, unions representing Disneyland Resort Cast Members have (had?) planned a protest caravan around the Anaheim theme park this weekend to express concerns over health and safety as Disneyland and Disney California Adventure planned to reopen next month.
The unions planned to protest via a caravan circling the resort “as an action to show our concerns regarding safety,” per a message from the unions to members on their Facebook page. Reaction among Cast Members has been mixed, some expressing fear that the reopening was moving forward too quickly in light of increasing cases, whereas others felt financial concerns should Disney delay the reopening date.
Just last week, the Coalition of Resort Labor Unions sent an open letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom expressing their concern for both workers and would-be park guests as Disneyland Resort attempts to receive clearance from California for resuming operations next month.
Open petitions calling for Disneyland to postpone the reopening have likewise gained traction among Cast Members and locals. Despite this, it’s still difficult to gauge the widespread sentiment among employees and guests. Minimally, it’s fair to say there’s some degree of split.
Even with the slow trickle of news calling the reopening of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure into question, we didn’t see this coming. Our expectation was that California would continue to plow forward with the state’s reopening, as the increasing caseload hasn’t caused the state to roll back its plans as of yet.
The California Department of Health reported an additional 7,149 new cases today, a 69% increase in two days, bringing the state’s total to 190,222 cases. Orange County has had 3,080 new cases in the last 14 days. In the same time period, Los Angeles County has had 22,606 new cases and Riverside County has had 4,958 new cases.
While the circumstances are somewhat different in Florida, there are similar parallels in terms of an explosion in the number of cases (it’s still too early to call this a second wave–we’re not yet out of the first). That resulted in new quarantine restrictions, this time enacted by New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut for arrivals from Florida (full details in our updated Quarantine Rules for Travelers to Walt Disney World post).
Obviously, the two topics aren’t directly related, and the reason proffered by Disney for indefinitely postponing the reopening of Disneyland wouldn’t apply to Walt Disney World in the least. Nevertheless, we can’t help but wonder if there’s a point at which Disney gets cold feet about reopening Walt Disney World, especially if the situation in Florida continues to escalate. We’ll keep you posted about all of the reopening news, so stay tuned.
If you’re preparing for a Disneyland trip, check out our other planning posts, including how to save money on Disneyland tickets, our Disney packing tips, tips for booking a hotel (off-site or on-site), where to dine, and a number of other things, check out our comprehensive Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you surprised by Disneyland’s delay in reopening? Will you be visiting Disneyland or Disney California Adventure when the parks are able to resume operations, or will you wait? Surprised by this announcement? Do you expect that California’s government will fast-track Disneyland’s reopening, or think another stay-at-home order is on the horizon? Any questions? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I’m afraid SoCal cases are only going to continue to increase. Driving through the coastal communities here it’s like COVID never existed. No masks but not even physical distancing. You have locals and local visitors. All ages.
This is not the case in Florida. People are not social distancing and are not wearing masks in public situations. It is ridiculous. Also, many tourists are back doing the same. Sorry, but our state is rising big time and even hospitalizations are starting to rise too. Sorry, but Disney World needs to do the same. Or, Governor Desantis needs to enforce mask wear in public situations to nip this in the bud. We do not want people to die here in our state. 🙁 Also, Universal may have reopen. But, they just announced that they are laying off tons of employees with severance pay, medical for awhile, and new employment help-(have no idea how they will do it) There are still not enough jobs for everyone. Because all businesses are cutting down on employees. Which I thought some of these businesses received money to pay them. So, where is that money to keep them on the payroll? Looks like businesses are keeping it for themselves. It is a big shame. Because, Universal still made over $898 million dollars up to May. Also, they will receive a tax break for COVID 19 at the end of the year too of about 200 million dollars. It is a big shame that now these employees that have been waiting to go back to work will now be out of a job completely. Most likely Disney may have to do the same. With Florida being one of the worse unemployment paying states, all of these employees will be in major trouble once the 12 weeks of unemployment run out and the Federal money runs out too. 🙁
the lack of mask mandates at this point is staggering. masking is such a simple, easy, nearly free way to contribute to a functioning society right now. unfortuantely, too many people think the pandemic is “over” when it’s nowhere near over.
Deb, PPP loans are forgiveable loans, of which 60% must be used for payroll expenses and 40% for non-payroll, such as mortgage interest, rent and utilities. The business owner (or more importantly, his accountant) must make an accurate accounting to the federal government of how loan funds were used. The funds are to be used in a 24 week period. If an accounting is not made to the government, the entire loan will have to be repaid, at a 1% interest rate. No business owner will want to have to repay that large a loan, especially with interest added. So rest assured, the money is going where it should be.
i dislike the statement put out for a number of reasons. just say something simple but true and powerful, that the rising cases of Covid-19 are forcing us to rethink the health and safety of CMs and guests at the present time and will reopen at a date to be determined later. i dislike the passive aggressive tone used. just blame the virus, as ultimately that is the culprit. don’t play politics or the blame game. it’s so tiresome. blame the virus and emphasize safety, maybe then some people would start taking it seriously who haven’t yet.
The statement reads to me like one put out during the peak of conflict between Disneyland and the City of Anaheim. I thought it was tacky then, and feel the same now.
However, the bar for discourse has become so low in the last few years that I assume most people don’t even bat an eye. It would appear that, at least among Disney fans, the statement has “worked” in shifting blame to the State of California. I’m still not sure what that accomplishes in the grand scheme of things, though.
totally agree. shifting bad sentiment around reeks of nastiness. we don’t need anymore of that right now. blame the inanimate virus, i would think everyone could get behind that.
They can’t say it’s for the safety of cast members and guests because how would they be able to justify opening Disney World when Florida is recording more cases than California? Also, if they put off opening Disney World because of safety concerns, it would be hard to say it’s safe for the NBA to stay and play in Florida. So it all comes down to money and not safety.
Thank you Tom for taking that post down. I’m not going to highlight it or give it voice here, but as a Black woman, just wanted to say thank you. If more people made those simple choices like you did, this world would be a better place.
I would (and will) say you’re welcome, but that’s absolutely not something for which you should need to say thanks. Sorry you had to see it in the first place. 🙁
“In order to maintain a tolerant society, the society must be intolerant of intolerance.”
This is wild. The whole point of shutting down was to flatten the curve and not overwhelm hospitals. I assume if hospitals in California or Florida start filling up, it won’t matter much what cast members think, what safety measures are in place at the parks or what travel restrictions exist. That probably will be the tipping point – especially since reopening in Florida is already so far underway.
My wife and I have been at Walt Disney World Resort for the last four days. Every cast member we have spoken with seemed sincerely overjoyed to be back at work. Most even thanked us for being back at the resorts. Sure they could just be saying that, but I have found myself having 20 minute conversations with cast members who just seem really happy for Disney to be opening up.
I can say that these resorts could possibly be the cleanest and most sanitized spots in all of America.
Personally knowing & speaking with many Disneyland CMs, I find it ridiculous to lump ALL CMs as not wanting to return to work due to safety & health concerns. Many I have spoken with are eager to return & feel Disney has been following all safety & health protocols & do not feel Disney is jeopardizing their health whatsoever. There’s a lot of “He said” “She said” going around here in California and alot of inaccuracies. Having said that, Covid-19 cases have increased here most likely because of the Protests going on, this is no surprise! However, we need to find a way to adapt to the new normal. Find a way to open up all Businesses with the utmost care and concern for all. We have to make it work for our economy and our future, we need a balance for both.
It doesn’t appear that protests spread COVID. That seems to be because most people were masked and they were outdoors. That’s a point in favor of opening parks, I think.
https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-lessons-from-large-protests.html
they are actually finding the protests are NOT contributing to spikes, as they were outdoors and most people wore masks.
This is not the case in Florida. People are not social distancing and are not wearing masks in public situations. It is ridiculous. Also, many tourists are back doing the same. Sorry, but our state is rising big time and even hospitalizations are starting to rise too. Sorry, but Disney World needs to do the same. Or, Governor Desantis needs to enforce mask wear in public situations to nip this in the bud. We do not want people to die here in our state. 🙁
This is good news all around. We got Flex APs in February and would much rather have more time on the other end of this. After watching the chaos for WDW reservations this week, I’m happy to put that off awhile. Until cases decrease and the CMs feel safe, it just isn’t worth it.
I think the biggest issue that people keep missing is that there will be no vaccine for a year. We can’t shut down for that long. It is literally not an option, but we keep talking as if it is. The only question should be how do we reopen and live with Covid as safely as possible. Disney world is doing that.
Personally knowing & speaking with many Disneyland CMs, I find it ridiculous to lump ALL CMs as not wanting to return to work due to safety & health concerns. Many I have spoken with are eager to return & feel Disney has been following all safety & health protocols & do not feel Disney is jeopardizing their health whatsoever. There’s a lot of “He said” “She said” going around here in California and alot of inaccuracies. Having said that, Covid-19 cases have increased here most likely because of the Protests going on, this is no surprise! However, we need to find a way to adapt to the new normal. Find a way to open up all Businesses with the utmost care and concern for all. We have to make it work for our economy and our future, we need a balance for both.
actually Dr Fauci told congress this week he’s optimistic a vaccine could be ready by end of 2020: https://www.vox.com/2020/6/23/21300563/coronavirus-vaccine-fauci-trump-testimony-house
Not in the least bit surprised that California wants to keep it shut down. We are also on the West Coast are STILL not supposed to leave our homes here unless its an essential reason. This is getting tiresome. This has been since March and its almost July. Our stores still are closed. The restaurants are just now approved for 15% occupancy as of less than a week ago. There seems to be a renewed push for another lockdown. More and more people are losing their jobs and their businesses. Not wearing a mask is a misdemeanor as of this approaching weekend. There is also a push for not going back to school next year. Sadly, I don’t think any of the people who run these states on the coast are in a hurry to fast track anything. We need to start living again.
Everything WJ said!
well, i mean, we’re still in the midst of a deadly pandemic that is costing lives. i’m not really sure why anyone wants anyone to hurry anything up. people can’t live again if they aren’t living.
“We need to start living again”.
Well, except the older people and immunocompromised will suffocate to death. But, sadly, fewer and fewer people seem to care about that anymore.
I cannot add to this very well stated conversation. It is a rough time and Life certainly has changed for everyone. Wishing all of you good health and that you will come thru this without insurmountable financial setbacks
Here is looking forward to a time when we can enjoy WDW and DL once more and Life will be more normal again.
Based on Florida’s surge in cases, it makes sense that the re-opening date for Disney World might get pushed back.
I suspect it will, but not until after Independence Day.
I doubt it. Florida’s economy is tanking hard and our unemployment was hard to apply for.
I don’t think Florida can afford to keep Disney World shuttered. We also don’t have to count out of state people in our offical covid numbers, so that’s a nice loophole.
They are actually going to go through with this train wreck of an idea.
“Wearing masks, taking physical distancing seriously, and not fighting every minor inconvenience in the name of “freedom” would be a colossal step in the right direction, but I’m not holding my breath.”
I don’t know that I’ve heard a more elegant, precise description of the challenge of re-opening (the whole country, really). Thank you!
i agree.
I don’t see how Disney World can reopen with numbers surging in Florida. It sounds counterintuitive. NY, NJ and Conn now have instituted a two week quarantine requirement for visitors from certain high surge states, one being Florida.
I’ve watched a few Disney World reopening videos and, while I believe Disney is doing the best they can considering the circumstances, I don’t think their best will be enough. Numbers will continue to surge in Florida. Sure hope those in charge are paying attention and not sweeping things under the rug. (while watching the videos I realized my eyes had filled with tears. I miss my Disney).
On another note, I managed to make two room only reservations today at Coronado Springs for late April, early May, 2021. I wanted PO Riverside, but am okay with CS. Still uncertain if we’ll keep our late November reservations at PO French Quarter, which is still closed and will probably remain so until the end of the year.
These are very confusing and uncertain times. Being at high risk and having been in lockdown for more than three months, I sincerely hope that, besides staying healthy, I will once more get to visit my most favorite place in the world.
I’m very curious to see how these interstate quarantine rules play out. Let’s say Florida’s cases continue to climb. New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are large markets for Disneyworld. All of the sudden even if you want to go, can you really quarantine for 14 days when you get back from Florida? What if more states impose similar restrictions? How will they be enforced….
You just really can’t get too attached to what you think the future will hold these days.
IMO, none of the quarantine rules are actually about enforcement–they’re about deterrence. Many (if not most) people from NY, NJ, and CT won’t travel to FL with that restriction in place, even if they figure they could probably circumvent it.
I always thought the date they gave was too soon. I think the pushback from people, especially CMs, surprised them and DLR had the support (in a way) of the government for not reopening yet. WDW won’t get that from Florida and will need to shoulder all the blame for reopening too early.
I’ll be really surprised if Disney World actually opens as scheduled. You saw today’s numbers for Florida? Yeesh. Fingers crossed though.
I think the biggest difference is in terms of local appetite for reopening:
1) California doesn’t need Disneyland to reopen for its state economy–Florida does.
2) Cast Members in California haven’t struggled to collect unemployment–ones in Florida have.
Today’s new case numbers in Florida didn’t look good and that trend is very concerning. So too is the U.S. Census Bureau survey indicating that one-third of adults in Florida either missed their last monthly rent or mortgage payment or expect to miss their next one–and that one in eight Floridians say they didn’t have enough food to eat last week.
Things are going to go from bad to worse in Central Florida if WDW doesn’t reopen. I don’t think the same can be said for Disneyland and CA. Unfortunately, things could also get worse if Walt Disney World does reopen. This is truly a no-win situation, and I wish there were a better solution.
Wearing masks, taking physical distancing seriously, and not fighting every minor inconvenience in the name of “freedom” would be a colossal step in the right direction, but I’m not holding my breath.
I think the optics of opening in FL but not in CA are awful.
“So, Mr Iger, you are concerned enough for the health and safety of Cast Members and guests that you will delay opening DLR but not WDW, when case counts are so similar? Do you care less about the well being of guests and CMs in Florida? Why is that?”
I know Florida’s state government is awful (I live here) but Disney is also a huge force in the state, and if they truly leaned on DeSantis, I have to think that Unemployment would get paid, a moratorium on evictions would be in place. Use the force, Disney, come on.
Not clear how disneyworld can proceed given the fact that Florida is worse now then what it was in march, april and may. Our country is so behind, its pathetic and frustrating.
Agree our country is dismal in overall response. WDW will move forward with opening because the Florida governor is rejecting the medical community advice. Different story in California.
I just don’t get why nobody is talking about Universal Orlando already being open… If Disney World had to delay opening then I would think Universal should have to close, too.
I think the optics of opening on one coast but not the other are terrible for Disney. It looks like they care about DLR CMs more than WDW CMs, and, just, oof. That’s not good.
I am not surprised at all. What surprises me is that Disneyworld isn’t doing the same. Florida has had a massive surge in covid-19. Lots of people are bringing young kids it does not seem safe. I might take a chance for myself but I would never expose the kids. I am still in limbo no reservations for parks I have a 7 day park hopper. And the phones are non stop busy so I can’t cancel.
Ironically this will delay California parks opening long enough for everyone to get their extra 600 until it runs out in july. Be honest at least. The world cant stop spinning and when that 600 runs out you will be begging to re-open.
This will benefit DLR as they can focus on WDW and benefit from lessons learned during the Florida resort openings.