After more than a year of closure, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are days from reopening and tickets are officially available for purchase! But before you start dusting off the Mickey ears, there’s a lot to prepare for if you’re planning on visiting either park. From making reservations to which rides will be open, here’s everything to know before you go.
When is Disneyland and California Adventure Reopening?
The original Disney Park will be reopening Friday, April 30 to only California residents with a 15% capacity. Unlike Disney World, which reopened back in July 2020, Disneyland is taking a relatively slow start, opting for tiered ticketing and park reservations. The Downtown Disney District is currently open for shopping and dining, so guests can enjoy a piece of Disney before the grand reopening of the parks.
Park Hours and Park Hopping Will Be Different
Along with the tiered admission structure, park hours and park hopping have been altered for the time being. Both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will be open from 9AM to 7PM while Downtown Disney is open from 10AM to 8PM – still a pretty good time length to get that money’s worth though!
As for park hopping, it will be very different from what you recall. Raise that hand if you’re one of the people that went back and forth between parks as many times as you wanted! Well, sadly, that will no longer be an option for those park hopping addicts. Disney has made clear, and rightfully so, that guests will need to choose which park to visit at the beginning of the day and which they will spend the rest of their visit at after 1PM.
Which Attractions Will Be Open and Which Will Still Be Closed?
Disneyland and DCA will return with many park-goer favorites, but not all attractions and shows will be available once the Anaheim theme parks reopen on April 30. As of now Disney has confirmed that there will be at least 45 rides and attractions open – including the refurbished Haunted Mansion and Snow White’s Enchanted Wish.
Along with Disney classics and refurbished rides, Avengers Campus is officially set to open June 4 at DCA! The newest land will feature super hero encounters, a Spider-Man attraction, and restaurants inspired by the Marvel universe.
No Fast Passes or Parades, Sorry Folks!
If anyone was planning on racing to get a FAST PASS for the busier attractions or already thinking of where to set up for one of the parades, stop now. Neither Disneyland nor DCA will be utilizing FAST PASSES or lighting the sky with their dazzling display of fireworks.
The FAST PASSES that were used by guests to enter a shorter queue will be unavailable, at least for now, both to keep ride capacity strictly managed and ensure space for social distancing. The good news is that even without FAST PASSES, lines are expected to still remain short thanks to the lowered park capacity.
Fireworks, parades, and meet-and-greets will be temporarily suspended until further notice. However, it is expected that Disneyland and DCA will opt for holding “character cavalcades”, where parade floats transport characters through the park during unannounced times – method Disney World has been using for months now.
Not Every Disney Hotel Will Be Reopening
Although the magic will be returning April 30, don’t expect to see the Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel opening that same day. Disney has confirmed that the only hotel reopening this month will be Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa on April 29 with a limited capacity.
Because Disneyland and DCA will be welcoming guests through the reservation system, staying at Disney’s Grand Californian will not guarantee anyone entrance into either park. As for the other two hotels, they will be reopening at a later date, which has yet to be announced.
What COVID Protocols Are In Place?
In order to make the most of your visit to Disneyland and DCA, every guests and employee will be required to wear a face mask at all times, except when eating in designated areas. Guests will also have their temperatures checked when entering either park and there are even physical barriers to ensure that guests are adequately distanced from one another.
Also expect to pay using the Disney app, dining options are now contactless and all meals must be ordered in advanced to be picked up at a dining location.
Stay Safe and Have Fun!
As everyone experiences the new normal, remember to follow the new Disney guidelines so that all guests feel safe and experience the magic. Also, good luck getting those reservations!
