Legislation To Reopen Disneyland, Magic Mountain Underway: AB 420

FULLERTON, CA —It's almost Valentine's Day, and Disneyland should be dressed up with hearts and flowers. Instead, the Main Gates remain locked, as they do at Magic Mountain, Universal, and other theme parks across the state. Nearly one year after the pandemic began, Chair and Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva and Vice-Chair and Joint Author Assemblywoman Suzette Martinez-Valladares of Santa Clarita think that they have an answer.

Enter Assembly Bill 420, AB 420, which could be the solution to the battered theme park industry as they call it.

Gov. Gavin's "safer at home orders," which began in mid-March one year ago, has devastated earnings for thousands across the Southland. In Florida, and other states, theme parks have safely reopened to the public while in California, the closures are a bitter reminder of how much has been lost. For the ladies who sit on the Assembly Committee of Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media just about everything that has fallen under their radar has been met with brutal disappointment during the pandemic. They are fighting an uphill battle for not just owners but thousands of unemployed workers.

"The prolonged COVID_19 related closures of California's amusement parks have created devastating outcomes for surrounding businesses and communities," Quirk-Silva and Valladares said in a joint news release.

The hospitality and leisure market has suffered among the greatest losses due to coronavirus. Those who work at a theme park, who pass out tickets, food, run attractions, and maintain the property and cleanliness of those facilities, can't just go back to work.

“Now, more than ever, we need to strengthen our resolve to care for each other and to create clear and proper tiers to ensure the safety and health of our community and businesses,” said Quirk-Silva. “Through collaboration with industry leaders, responsible and safe tourism can be used as a pathway to recovery.”

In December of 2020, the Industry Guidance for Theme Parks was amended, allowing operation of smaller theme parks in the Moderate (orange) tier but confining larger parks to the Minimal (yellow) tier. AB 420 intends to adjust the guidance for all amusement parks, regardless of size, to open safely within the same tier.

Erin Guerrero, Executive Director of California Attractions and Parks Association, discussed the new legislation and her appreciation for pressing forward.

“Worldwide, theme parks have proven they can reopen responsibly while protecting the health of guests and staff," Guerrero said. "Science and data show it can be done. California should allow theme parks to reopen responsibly in the Orange - Moderate - Tier 3.”

Through the association, Guerrero represents theme parks such as Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and California’s Great America. All have suffered major losses amid the coronavirus shut down, as have businesses that have sprouted up over half a century of their operations.

In Anaheim, businesses have been hard hit, as has the convention industry.

Read: Disneyland Officials Talk Closure Fallout, Anaheim Stores Hurting

Martinez-Valladares, a veteran of the theme park industry, says she understands the operations, procedures, and ability to move people and keep them safe.

“The industry, and Six Flags Magic Mountain in my district, has been closed for nearly a year, while parks in other states have been open to the public and serving them safely," Martinez-Valladares says. "By opening our theme parks, we will trigger a ripple effect to our local economy, and in turn, create more jobs. It’s time to offer clear guidelines that will balance public health and the need to get people back to work safely, and this bill is the first step.”

As the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva will continue to advocate and explore options to ensure all of our tourism industries' safety and health.

Read: Disneyland Ready Be Part Of Reopening Solution In Orange County