Last year, major theme park operators and California Governor Gavin Newsom went head to head over the opening of theme parks in the state, with companies like Disney arguing that opening the theme parks was necessary to put staff back to work, and the governor firing back that he was in “no hurry” to issue reopening dates or guidelines due to the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
And though the COVID-19 spread in California is still high, with vaccinations rolling out across the state, it looks like several high-ranking government officials are working on a plan to get theme parks in the state, including Disneyland Resort, Knott’s Berry Farm, SeaWorld San Diego, open as soon as possible.
According to the OC Register, a new bill is being introduced that would require the state to allow all theme parks regardless of size to reopen in the same tier of Newsom’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Currently, small theme parks (capacity less than 15,000) can reopen in the orange/moderate tier 3. Large theme parks, such as Disneyland, can reopen in the yellow/minimal tier 4.
Even if this resolution passes, California theme parks would still be unlikely to return to full operation until late spring or summer under COVID-19 health and safety reopening guidelines issued by the state. However, in the meantime, guests can still visit Downtown Disney and parts of Disney California Adventure, which reopen for dining later this week.
