When Will Disneyland Reopen?
“When will Disneyland and California Adventure reopen in 2021?” and “how much longer will the parks stay closed?” are common questions. This covers what Orange County’s improving metrics mean, why the closure will continue the next couple months, and more. (Updated March 9, 2021.)
We’ll start by underscoring the reality that we don’t have a crystal ball, and no one knows for sure when Disneyland will reopen. This is a fluid situation, which should be apparent by the fact that Disneyland was originally scheduled to open last July and now may not reopen until almost a full year later. New data emerges on a daily basis, and plans continue to change.
Moreover, Disneyland’s reopening has been incredibly contentious, a flashpoint between Governor Newsom and several groups/cities/businesses/etc. We aren’t going to recap the whole saga here, but Disneyland’s Wild Reopening Ride is worth the read if you want the backstory of the drama. Hopefully someday we’ll get a DisneyWar sequel that covers some of this…
After having its reopening pushed back three times, there’s another Reopening Update for the Grand Californian. The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will reopen on May 2, 2021. During this initial phase, only the Disney Vacation Club villas–and not the hotel side–of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will reopen.
In the nearer term, the only thing open right now at Disneyland Resort is the Downtown Disney District. There, restaurants are operating with outdoor seating and physical distancing, face masks, etc. Note that on some weekends, Downtown Disney fills to capacity. We have full details about all of this in our Guide to Downtown Disney at Disneyland.
For now, Downtown Disney has been expanded inside Disney California Adventure onto Buena Vista Street to help with capacity. A Touch of Disney at Disneyland Resort, a new ticketed event, begins on March 18, 2021 throughout the entirety of Disney California Adventure and runs through April 2021. This is the first step towards DCA and Disneyland reopening as theme parks, which is not be too far away…
The latest development is that California has released new reopening rules that mean Disneyland and Disney California Adventure can reopen as early as April 2021! These and other theme parks will be able to open with rides and attractions next month if Orange County improves to the red tier of the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy reopening rules.
Here are the new reopening rules for California theme parks:
Purple Tier – Closed
Red Tier
- Max 15%
- Small Groups – Max 10 people or 3 household groups with no intergroup mixing
- Indoor capacity max 15% with time restrictions
- No indoor dining
- Weekly worker testing program
- In-state visitors only, check for current CDPH Travel Advisory in effect
- Online ticket purchases only
Orange Tier
- Max 25%
- Indoor capacity max 25% with time restrictions
- Weekly worker testing program
- With other modifications
- In-state visitors only, check for current CDPH Travel Advisory in effect
Yellow Tier
- Max 35%
- Indoor capacity max 25% with time restrictions
- Weekly worker testing program
- With other modifications
- In-state visitors only, check for current CDPH Travel Advisory in effect
Note that the “in-state visitors” restriction is to keep the theme park reopening rules consistent with California’s existing travel restrictions. It’s worth noting that California had no such quarantine or travel advisory until November 13 of last year–right as cases started to spike.
Our expectation is that the state will lift this travel advisory sooner rather than later. It could possibly be gone by the start of April, but if not, almost certainly by Memorial Day weekend when California’s summer tourism season begins. Expect it to be lifted for theme parks, irrespective of tier status, when it’s lifted for the state as a whole.
This is great news, but it’s not the end of the saga. Of course, the first step is for Orange County, California to improve from the purple tier to the red tier.
The good news there is that all of California’s key metrics–new cases, positivity rate, and hospitalizations–have plummeted since peaking on January 13. The regional stay at home order was already lifted over a month ago, and now we’re seeing some counties make reopening progress.
To that point, new cases are down by over 90% statewide is only 2.1% as of March 9, 2021. (The Los Angeles Times has a good data tracker.) These numbers are projected to continue improving in the coming weeks with vaccine rollout improving. This is great news for California, and for Disneyland’s reopening prospects.
More specific to Disneyland, Orange County remains in the most-restrictive purple tier of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy reopening plan, but has made significant strides towards the red tier. These numbers are updated every Tuesday, and for the March 9, 2021 update, Orange County qualified for the red tier. (Per the rules, a county must meet the next tier’s criteria for two consecutive weeks to move to a less restrictive tier.)
Regardless, Orange County’s pace of improvements has been impressive and its trajectory is promising. If current trends hold, Orange County will be in the red tier on March 16, 2021. It’s also very likely Orange County will enter the moderate or orange tier on April 6, 2021. (Counties must remain in a tier for at least 3 weeks before moving to a less restrictive tier.)
Accordingly, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will almost certainly be eligible to open by April 1, 2021 pursuant to the revised California Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
So…what happens next? When will Disneyland reopen?
To give you the short answer, Disney CEO Bob Chapek said during the Walt Disney Company’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (on March 9, 2021) that Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will reopen in “late April 2021.” He indicated that Disney would announce a specific date very soon.
This makes sense, as it allows the hard ticket “Touch of Disney” event to occur as scheduled at Disney California Adventure, and also for Orange County to move all the way up to the moderate tier, which would allow the parks to open at 25% capacity on day one.
With that said, there’s still a lot to figure out in terms of logistics to get Disneyland and Disney California Adventure operational in only a few short weeks. This includes but is not limited to ironing out agreements with unions, calling back Cast Members, re-training said CMs on attractions that haven’t operated with guests (they’ve been cycling throughout the closure) for a full year, placing food & beverage orders, and more. We’ll keep you posted as to an official reopening date once Disney makes an announcement!
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
Do you think Disneyland Resort will reopen in April 2021, or do you think that’ll be delayed or pushed back? What’s your predicted date? Are you expecting reduced entertainment and offerings, or think the parks will pretty much reopen with everything firing on all cylinders? Do you agree or disagree with our advice and assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? 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 find it fascinating that Disneyland, a largely outdoor venue, can stay closed– but Walmart and Costco ( just 2 stores , for example) can remain opened and capitalize off the pandemic-. I have been in both of these retail stores, and even though they say to “social distance, most of the patrons are not doing it!!!
And when Downtown Disney and DCA were open as outdoor malls there were so many Disney CMs monitoring mask wearing and social distancing that I can’t imagine they were making much money even with all the long lines in front of the stores!
It’s all political, as it has been for months now in various places.
Social distancing notwithstanding, both stores sell plenty of essential items: food, cleaning supplies, etc. That’s not true for the formerly Happiest Place on Earth.
Marc, that’s exactly the problem. It’s not essential in your mind until it negatively affects you. That selfish attitude is not cool.
I don’t spend 8 – 12 hours per day at Costco, and I need to buy food to feed my family. Amusement parks are a want, not a need.
Good thing Disney doesn’t build or operate amusement parks. Now, back to the topic at hand…
I am just glad that I managed to visit Disneyland prior
to the virus outbreak…
I have a feeling that once the parks reopen that it will
be “absolute hell” around the place for YEARS…the
crowds EVERY SINGLE DAY will probably be just like
the crowds on any given New Year’s Eve…
Thank God I have been spared from that TORTURE…
Im thinking nothing, including Disneyland, DCA or Knotts Berry Farm, will ever be the same again. They will have to double their prices to make up for being closed for almost 2 years. No one will be able to afford that and they will ultimately go out of business.
Or maybe the good people in CA can take this opportunity to improve their state, reversing decades of abuse. I could see the Disney company keeping DL open at a loss for years, simply because of what it represents for people.
Unfortunately many of the “good people of CA” are quite happy to have the state take care of them. For example, the city of Ventura is allowing a huge homeless encampment of surfers, druggies etc. to grow along a major highway near the beach and they are bringing government services like showers and food to them. Many people of course have also lost their jobs due to state policies like not allowing the Disneyland Resort to reopen. My home state is the laughing stock of the country right now but the weather is still great and it’s still beautiful (minus the encampments) and that is why we still live here!
Heads up to Disneyland Annual Pass holders visiting Walt Disney World…. They have been honoring our AP discount for merchandise at stores and other locations such as our mini golf round at winter summerland etc. So not sure, just ask!! Out visit was 12/10-12/17/20
I’m not going back until I feel it’s safe, but I have the highest tiered AP (still 10 months left on it), and I’m going to see if I can cancel/refund the pass if its perks don’t make sense anymore. What is the point of paying extra for no black out dates or MaxPass if I have to reserve everything on the same basis as lower-tiered pass- or ticketholders, and compete with them for coveted time slots? The AP won’t hold much value for me if I don’t have the unlimited freedom I’ve grown accustomed to. Hopefully at some point next year, things will be safe enough for that again, but I’m skeptical.
I have the highest tier as well and I activated mine the week the parks closed. Mine expires in March so you might want to check when yours is good until. I just got back from DisneyWorld and I felt safe- much safer than grocery stores, etc
While I would love for Disneyland to open in Spring 2021, but the way things are going here in CA I think Summer 2021 is more realistic. It’s scary right now, my hospital has the highest number of COVID patients today then at any other point during the pandemic. We are starting to run out of space for patients, but what’s even worse is we may run out of nurses first. I’m a RN who transitioned into Informatics a few years ago, but was asked to go back to bedside care by the VP of Informatics to help with the nursing shortage.
First off, bless you for your hard work and dedication. I feel terrible that the ignorance and stupidity by others puts your life and your families in unnecessary harms way. I think a lot depends on how this vaccine rolls out. If we can obtain herd immunity quickly, which I am skeptical of, maybe Disney can open in late spring. Right now, CA has to focus on controlling this surge of spread a d co to he to deal with the fallout from idiots not listening over the holidays. We are all paying the price of ignorance! Stan safe and again thank you for your service. My daughter in law is a speciality ER nurse for IMC, and it’s getting insane lately. Hang in there!
The sad fact is it may be time for Disney to begin quietly looking for favorable deals to move the Disneyland Resort out of state and further east. As it sits, Disneyland Resort and Downtown Disney are not even glorified strip malls. Unfortunately, their future is bleak in CA.
The idea that Disneyland would “move” is quite simply ludicrous. I have seen this same comment repeated many times during the pandemic. I can only assume that those suggesting this are motivated by antipathy toward what they perceive as state government overreach but it is simply a revenge fantasy. While it may be true that CA has imposed more restrictive opening criteria for most business than other states the fact remains that the pandemic will end at some point. Disneyland will reopen and most of the businesses that have symbiotically flourished surrounding it will fully reopen as well. As Tom frequently points out there is a massive local fan base in southern CA, the weather there is perfect for year round theme park operation, and most importantly Disneyland/CA Adventure are already built. Beyond this, abandoning the original Disney park would be roughly equivalent to converting the sistine chapel into a Starbucks in the eyes of many fans. Whatever outrage the anti government crowd has ginned up for Covid restrictions would pale in comparison to the hellfire that would rain down from fans if Disney corporate tried to shutter Walt’s park.
Obviously they would not consider trying to actually move the two theme parks. That’s crazy talk. But it’s far past time to move corporate and Imagineering out of the financial and regulatory wasteland that is CA. The money they’d save on taxes and operating costs alone would probably pay for the moving costs in a year or less. The physical location of Hollywood and the old traditional studios have been largely irrelevant for some time, much like the old giant record labels.
Wow…this used to be a “come for the blog, stay for the comments” site for me, as I loved reading others’ short posts about their Disney visits! Now all the armchair “doctors” seem to be flocking here venting their anti-mask and anti-vaxxer philosophies instead of trolling their local new sites, and they’re ruining my Disney threads!
(BTW, folks, Covid case mortality rates range from 2-4% in most countries, so yeah, it’s kind of a thing.)
Haha, most are more saying they don’twant to be a vaccine test subject rather than being one of the wacko anti-vaxxers. It’s like when Microshaft releases a new version of Windows, you wait until it’s been out a bit and the major issues are patched before you install it.
Mortality rates vary widely across different age groups, seemingly more so than most other viruses. We all need to evaluate our own exposure risk tolerance
Don’t read the comments if you want to shield yourself from facts and truth.
You do realize your comments are completely reflective of your own complaint, right? You too are playing armchair doctor and assuming your opinion on the matter is unquestionably correct. Sigh.
Thank you for this informative Article. I hope this article could help a lot of people in the future.
Open Disneyland and DCA on a 30 percent occupancy rate. Trust people to wear their masks, just like Disneyworld did. Newsom: California: you are ruining your state. You all should vote this guy out of office, reduce regulation and taxing. Being outside at a theme park will not add to the virus. Killing businesses is not the answer at this point. The covid rates went up because people are tired of the rules.
No, stupid “oh my rights” are being violated, are ruining this state! Wake up! Crowding together, not wearing masks, etc etc. One goon in public office is not the reason. PEOPLE ARE! I so want Disney open too. But not to risk cast members lives. Disney ain’t going anywhere. And small business won’t recover that fast. Federal government needs to step up and help small business. Period. Stop spreading the virus people, grow up, and this crap will go away.
Amen!!!
John D you couldn’t be further wrong……..WDW in FLA has been open since July and theres no such instances……Believe what you want, but you can’t argue facts. Cases numbers are lower in states that allow more….you are a sheep following the herd of Newsom……..I actually feel bad for you…..This is all California’s own fault………..Have had a great time in FLA the last 7 months, maybe you should come visit for a trip!
As a Canadian who’s hoping to ride to Sturgis then Go to Disney Next summer, booking A hotel Now for Sturgis Is critical; thus making it important to plan the whole trip. As a huge Disney fan, am watching to see about the Re-opening (yes, and waiting to see about the border situation too). I appreciate your Feed and will keep checking back in to see what’s going on.
Nevermind all the “science and data” proving theme parks all over the country are safe during COVID….and have been for almost six months now.
Hey Tom!; I’ll be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of your prose, that being said you ARE the best Disney theme blogger. Period. Your updates are so thorough and detailed, I look to you as a news source before Disney itself. So really, thank you. All I really wanted to say was that your photo choices were on point this article. Theyre usually obviously thematic but the irony was spot on. In the least patronizing way (and I know you don’t need to hear it from some rando, but…), good job and keep up the great work. I hope you see this
It seems to me that Disney wants it both ways. You cannot align yourself with one party platform,, and them complain when they do exactly what one would expect them to do….
I agree whole heartedly! Spot on Susan
Just an FYI: presently a state judge has ruled that Newsome has violated the state constitution with his executive orders since he is not working with legislature to make these orders legal. While this ruling will be appealed, it is an important legal foundation as another lawsuit is using the ruling to challenge the color tier system. Assemblyman Kevin Keily brought the suit that was recently ruled on.
And it’s about time! These Presidents and governors for the last 12 years or so have gone crazy with executive orders, far beyond their authority. Open your businesses, especially Disneyland!
And schools both public and private here in LA and Ventura Counties have recently used this lawsuit to successfully attain waivers to open fully for on campus learning. It will be interesting to see if the Downtown Disney expansion into DCA opens Thursday as planned following our statewide shutdown announced yesterday. I peeked into the park last week and the Christmas decorations look really nice!
Hey out there,I feel all be ok in time.. takes time .. always remember we all do things so differently. Ok. Just maybe that it’s a really hard time is now. Lives are taken fast. And not easy all this Covid . Just so difficult. Scary to children especially Christmas time.. imagine being little and watching on tv all this. And black matter omg . Technology changed since cave man. Not respecting any colour skin. Common! Grow up world . Please put a plug in it . Move on to a more beautiful way. Please .. don’t assume & don’t gas bag .. chatter about what’s not your family business etc. not your business to interfere.. stay peaceful. Stay good heart .. cost nothing to be nice . Take care out there . Peace out. 2021 . Pls thx
Super like this. Second everything
I’m wondering why Disney doesn’t just open the hotels. Other hotels are open. It would be a way for them to save more jobs. (I’m sorry if you’ve already talked about this – my reader doesn’t want to play with going back.)
Another thing that will affect opening is ride maintenance, these rides are very mechanical, they are used to being oiled, greased and run every day. Sitting this long, and who knows how much longer, some of them may have a hard time getting up and running reliably. My family had a small amusement park in Newport Beach Ca, just down the road from Disneyland, and the salt air really takes a toll on the mechanical systems if not kept up daily.
S.Luke, that park was fun! Thanks for the memories!
Beth, our family loved running it, the Ferris wheel is still there, the merry go round is at bishops pumpkin farm in Wheatland California if you want to take a spin! Remember each ride on a merry go round gives one year back on your life, that’s how us amusement people stay young!
Tom, I have a really hard time following updated posts. i don’t know what has been updated, or when, especially if a post is updated a couple or more times.
I also find when I am looking at a post, I’m not sure if it’s current or not, I can only tell by the comments when the post was published.
I agree! I wish there was a date at the top, or even an updated as of date, or both.
This has been noted before, and I believe the answer is that the wordpress system doesn’t support it.
The best way to figure out the date of the post is to check the date on the oldest and newest comments.
@ Vicki, Sadly the motto, ” just because a few do it, shouldn’t affect us”, has long vacated the good ole saying. As much as we all want Disneyland open, until these “few bad apples” correct their bad behaviors, we will ALL suffer. At this point we cannot open to mass crowds when COVID is rising more and more. We can’t be stupid at this point. And I was out last night in Anaheim and the night before and it took over 90 minutes to eat. The crowds for businesses were solid. It was great to see. Also be aware, this is not a Gavin Newsom issue, it is a COVID issue and our governments lack of handling it correctly from day one, to lack of supplies, and ignorant people spreading it like wildfire. Until certain age groups adhere to mask, small groups, and smart essential basics, we will all suffer with no Disneyland. That is reality. There are MANY people whom are unemployed and Washington can’t even grow up and put together small business rescue packages and unemployment solid re-entry plans. Remember, when Disneyland reopens, it will only be at 25 percent of capacity. 25 percent is not going to save the cast members of Disney. And dig deeper Vicki. Disneyland has more money than you can imagine. They need to buckle up, and pay their laid off workers. Don’t be blindsided by the economics of it. I worked as a 14 year Economic Divisions professor at UC Irvine and worked in city government for another 30 years. I know a lot more about Disneyland and their ability to pay. I like your energy in your post Vicki, and I miss being at Disneyland too. But this is our reality now. Until things start taking a dramatic turn around, this is how it is. I notice a lot of uptick in small business audiences and I think we are turning things around. Don’t lose faith in Disneyland opening up sooner. No one on here knows that date. Let’s just be positive and enjoy life in a different facet for now. Please be safe! Dr. RBK
Dr. RBK,
The economic side of this situation is an interesting case study and most likely studies and critiqued forever. The human side is heartbreaking all the way around. Disney has developed a business model with a deep war chest. Could they do more for their employees? Of course. Could they do less? Of course and many other employers have especially in the service industry. Who knows what their business model looks like with extended closure. The employee or human capital cost is one of Disney’s leverage points with the policy makers. An unfortunate, but calculated staring game seeing who blinks first. One question I do have is wouldn’t a free market of this situation self regulate based on the inherent risks of attendance?
Sorry RBK, but that’s not how this works at all.
You are out of touch. Anybody who has read Newsom’s bizarre Thanksgiving orders recognizes there’s a whole lots more under the surface than protecting people from a virus with a 99% survival rate.