Will Theme Parks Still Be A Scream Upon Reopening?

ANAHEIM, CA — Theme parks across the southland will be able to reopen in just a few weeks, thanks to a revised blueprint for a safer economy released by California's governor.

After one year of closure due to the coronavirus, fans are grateful to return to their happy places, fun in California being short on supply.

Still, the reopening plan outlined by the California Attractions and Parks Association has raised some eyebrows by rollercoaster fans.

There will be limitations on shouting or screaming. First reported by Press-Enterprise, who described the limitation of screaming on Japanese amusements following coronavirus, it begs the question: Can you ride a theme park attraction without exhibiting sounds of joy or terror? Furthermore, would you even want to?

The document, shared by the association that speaks for Disneyland Resort, Knott's Berry Farm, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Universal Studios in southern California, suggests a plan that integrates common health and safety practices with how people visit area attractions.

To start with, California families only will be allowed to return to the southland's theme parks. While at the parks, they will remain in their family groups. Rides will be populated by those groups and not integrated with other guests. Masks will be worn when at attractions, rides and moving throughout parks and designated eating areas will be established throughout park grounds.

The suggestion that while onboard rollercoasters, riders will all face the same way to mitigate breath-related aerosol droplets (microscopic drops which could carry virus particles) and would be asked to keep screaming to a minimum.

The actual description in the plan states:

"The theme parks will require face-covering usage and/or modifications to seat loading patterns on amusement park rides to mitigate the effects of shouting. Additionally, on rides, guests generally face in one direction."

The particular statement does not forbid shouting, screaming, or excessive laughter. It merely plans to mitigate that through minimum ride times, outdoor rides, and enhancing airflow. That, and the new normal of mask-wearing.

Will Disneyland, Universal, Magic Mountain, and Knott's Berry Farm insist on no screaming, as the Press-Enterprise article predicts?

That is unlikely and would be harder still to enforce.

Fans of Space Mountain, the Incredicoaster and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! at Disneyland, or riders on the Silver Bullet, GhostRider and HangTime at Knott's Berry Farm would tell you holding in those gasps of delight and terror would be challenging.

It would be harder still for fans of Goliath, X2 and Tatsu at Magic Mountian.

Would you be able to ride a roller coaster without screaming?

Would you even want to? Let us know in the comments or by emailing your Patch Editor.