Disneyland Resort Reopens April 30 After Over 1 Year Of Shutdown

ANAHEIM, CA —Grab your mouse ears and masks. On April 30, Disneyland Resort reopens its gates to visitors and brings 10,000 employees back to work in the city of Anaheim.

One year ago, Disneyland Resort closed their main gates for the temporary shut down to do their part in slowing the spread of coronavirus. Both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure shuttered for a year, with a small portion reopening to dining and shopping options, only from the Downtown Disney District.

Enhanced health and safety measures will be in place as visitors return to explore new magic and favorite experiences at the parks.

"From iconic attractions and character sightings to shopping, dining and hotel stays, the joy and laughter and magical moments are returning," a Disneyland Resort spokesperson said.

With Orange County solidly in the "red tier" of Gov. Gavin Newsom's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, the park can reopen at limited capacity for rides, food, shopping, and entertainment. This will be a huge economic boost for the city of Anaheim, and its largely tourism-focused business community, which has struggled during the pandemic.

Exactly what the park reopening will look like remains to be seen. Some changes and updates have been made to the theme park, including the new look of Snow White's Enchanted Wish.

“The day all of us have long been waiting for is almost here,” said Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort. “We’re excited to have more than 10,000 cast members
returning to work as we get ready to welcome our guests back to this happy place.”

If you didn't rely on your Disneyland Resort App before the shutdown, it will be an essential tool for you as you return to the park.

That app will help you order food for pickup, make at-table dining reservations, view maps, and get on the "mobile waitlist" for certain rides. It can also be used for cashless transactions, the preferred method of payment in a pandemic world.

Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are also reopening, including Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, reopening April 29 at limited capacity.

Disney Vacation Club Villas at the Disneyland Resort will start reopening as of May 2, the resort projects.

"Because theme park capacity is significantly limited to comply with governmental requirements to promote physical distancing, the Disneyland Resort will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system," a spokesperson said.

That reservation system will require all guests to make reservations for park entry in advance, similar to what is in use currently at The Magic Kingdom resorts in Florida.

"To enter a park, both a park reservation and a valid admission for the same park on the same date are required for guests ages 3 and up," a spokesperson explained. "Theme park reservations will be limited and subject to availability."

Until further notice, only California residents may visit the parks in line with current state guidelines.

What to expect when you go:

Characters will be around and part of the magic, Patch is told.

"From surprise appearances along Main Street, U.S.A. and Pixar Pier, to playful interactions, characters can be seen across both parks, they say.

At Disneyland, guests may see Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse waving from the train station, or Disney Princesses such as Mulan appear at the Royal Theatre to wave and pose at a distance for guests taking selfies, they said

At Disney California Adventure, Pixar pals may wave from the bandshell at Pixar Pier, and guests can share a laugh while taking photos with Mater and Lightning McQueen along Route 66 in Cars Land.

Certain experiences that draw large group gatherings – such as parades and nighttime spectaculars – will return at a later date.

In an answer (sort of) as to what rides people can expect to be open, a few mentioned by theme park officials include:

Disneyland Resort Rides:

• Snow White's Enchanted Wish
• Peter Pan's Flight
• King Arthur Carrousel
• It's A Smal World
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• Star Wars: Smugglers Run
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• Space Mountain
• "and more..."

Disney California Adventure Rides:

• Radiator Springs Racers
• Incredicoaster
• Toy Story Midway Mania!
• The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure
• Inside Out: Emotional Whirlwind
• "and more"

Avengers Campus — a new land where guests can "live their Super Hero dreams" is set to open at a later date.

This is a developing report. All plans are subject to change, aligning with current health and safety guidelines in the state of California and the County of Orange. Please refresh for the latest information.

Read:

Will Theme Parks Still Be A Scream Upon Reopening?

Disneyland 'Touch Of Disney' Dining, Shopping Event In March

5 Things To Know About Disneyland Reopening