Though theme parks in Florida and across the US and World began reopening, following three months of closures due to the COVID-19, since June, things over on the west coast are still looking dismal for the large theme park operators. With over five months of closures, still no clarification from the government has been officially given on when reopening will become a possibility.
In a news conference on Friday August 28, 2020 the California Governor, Gavin Newsom stated that he as well as other state officials are actively working with California theme parks, including Disneyland regarding how reopening is going to become a reality in the future.
Newsom commented that it is a “very dynamic conversation” but little else was said. An update has been promised soon as theme parks push for news as to when they can expect necessary guidance so as to be able to finally push forward with their reopening plans.
The OC Register reports that starting Monday August 31, there will be a new four-tier system which lays out the current guidelines for COVID-19 restrictions in the California Counties and based on the website, theme park status still appears as closed for all four tiers.
Understandably, large theme parks are considered high risk in the current COVID-19 world and the key players in California are all located in areas which fall into areas of “widespread risk” or “substantial risk”. A lot of discussion regarding how they can safely reopen is therefore needed and a quick decision is unlikely.
For the major theme parks in California including Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld San Diego, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Six Flags Magic Mountain, California’s Great America and LEGOLAND California news regarding reopening is desperately needed.
On a positive note, a few have managed a partial reopening as a zoo, such as Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and we recently reported that SeaWorld San Diego is hosting Zoo Days: Bayside BBQ and Brews starting August 28, 2020. Food and wine events have also been hosted at Knott’s Berry Farm.
In summary, the California theme parks are ready to reopen, they want to reopen and are just waiting for the green light from Newsom and the state officials. After discussions on Friday August 28, and with a promise of news soon, we are surely now close to discovering when and how theme parks in California will reopen.
To keep up to date with all the latest news from Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld San Diego, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Six Flags Magic Mountain, California’s Great America and LEGOLAND California and more, visit our News Page.
