Today the Disneyland Resort announced that Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will be reopening their gates on April 30th. After being closed for more than a year, the parks will again be welcoming guests back to the Happiest Place on Earth! When it reopens, the park will be opening at a limited capacity. The reopening will mean that guests can experience their favorite classic experiences, and also some new ones. It will also be the first opportunity for guests to experience the new magic found in Snow White’s Enchanted Wish.
With the limited capacity, the Disneyland Resort will be managing attendance through a new theme park reservation system. This will require guests to get a reservation to visit the park ahead of their park. To get into the park, guests will be required to have both a reservation and a valid admission ticket for the same park and same date. This is applicable to all guests ages 3 and up. There will only be limited theme park reservations and availability “until further notice,” the Disneyland Resort stated. Also, only California residents will be able to visit the parks due to state guidelines. Disney is promising that more details about the reservation system will be coming soon.
Ahead of its reopening both Cast Members and members of the local community will get a chance to experience the magic ahead of the official opening on April 30th. This follows the sold-out A Touch of Disney event in Disney California Adventure that runs from March 18 through April 19th.
When it reopens, there will be new experiences happening with Disney characters instead of traditional meet and greets. Characters will pop up in random places at random times to provide a bit of magic. This will be done in accordance with physical distancing safety guidelines. Also, with that in mind, there will not be any parades or nighttime spectaculars when the parks reopen as they could draw a large group of people too close together. These will come back at a later date.
For guests wanting to stay at the Disneyland Resort, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is set to reopen on April 29 with limited capacity. Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa will aim to reopen on May 2nd. There is currently no known reopening date for Disney’s Paradise Pier or the Disneyland Resort.
With the reopening of the parks, health and safety continue to remain a top priority. Safety measures and operational changes will be set in place in accordance with guidelines from health and safety officials along with experiences Disney has learned from reopening parks around the world. These will promote physical distancing, enhanced cleanliness, and reduced contact between people. Just as has been the case in other Disney theme parks around the world, the guidance changes as the data is collected. Bring your patience and comply with Cast Members’ instructions to create a safe and fun environment for everyone. Cast Members will be on hand to both explain the new procedures and also answer questions.
There will be many more details coming out about the reopening of the parks at the Disneyland Resort in the coming weeks. Make sure to keep your eyes on DAPS MAGIC as we continue to provide updates and also subscribe to our newsletter! What do you think about the news about the Disneyland Resort parks reopening on April 30th? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
PRESS RELEASE
Disneyland Resort Announces Plans to Reopen Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on April 30, 2021, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa on April 29, 2021, all with Limited Capacities
- After being closed for more than one year, magic is back at Disneyland Resort theme parks
- More than 10,000 Cast Members are returning to work
- Guests will be welcomed back to explore new magic and favorite experiences – from iconic attractions and character sightings to shopping, dining and hotel stays
- Enhanced health and safety measures will be in place
MARCH 17, 2021 (ANAHEIM, Calif.) – The joy and laughter and magical moments of the Disneyland Resort will soon return to its theme parks as Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Parkare planning to officially reopen to the public on April 30, 2021, with limited capacity.
“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.”
The dreams of being immersed in these theme park experiences will soon come to life, with unforgettable attractions, seeing beloved Disney characters, shopping for the latest Disney merchandise, savoring the world-famous food and drinks, and capturing fun photos. New magic will be unveiled, too, as the reimagined Snow White’s Enchanted Wish opens to guests for the very first time.
Once again, guests will experience the thrills of exploring Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, embarking on a treacherous voyage on Pirates of the Caribbean, setting sail with children from around the globe on “it’s a small world” and zipping along Route 66 on Radiator Springs Racers. They may discover the joy of waving to Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, finding the perfect Mickey ears, dipping into a DOLE Whip® and staying in the middle of the magic at a Disney hotel.
In the days leading up to the public opening on April 30, Disneyland Resort will invite cast members and members of the local community to be the first theme park guests after more than a year of closure.
The Hotels of the Disneyland Resort also plan to welcome guests once again, with a phased reopening. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa plans to reopen on April 29, 2021, with limited capacity. Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will plan to reopen May 2. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel will reopen at a later date.
Because theme park capacity will be significantly limited to comply with governmental requirements and promote physical distancing, the Disneyland Resort will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that requires all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance. To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date are required for guests ages 3 and up. Theme park reservations will be limited and subject to availability and, until further notice, only California residents may visit the parks in line with current state guidelines.
More details about this new reservation system will be available soon. In addition, guests are encouraged to check Disneyland.com for the latest updates as they become available for theme park tickets, hotel booking and vacation packages, dining reservations and activity reservations such as Droid Depot.
The health and well-being of guests and cast members remain a top priority. Just as the Downtown Disney District reopened at Disneyland Resort on July 9, 2020, with enhanced health and safety measures, operational changes will be in place at the theme parks and hotels based on guidance from health authorities and learnings from our parks around the world to promote physical distancing, enhanced cleanliness and reduced contact. Cast members throughout the resort will be dedicated to assist with questions, and guests may check Disneyland.com/update for the most current health and safety measures, including mandatory face coverings for guests ages 2 and older.
A Touch of Disney, the limited-time ticketed experience which has sold out, will go on as planned at Disney California Adventure from March 18 through April 19.
Classic attractions and fun-filled favorites
Classic and favorite attractions will begin to open at both parks – from epic experiences like the new Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance to family-friendly experiences like Peter Pan’s Flight and Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind.
At Disneyland, the fun awaits on Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and King Arthur Carrousel, to name a few, and new magic is coming to Haunted Mansion. At Disney California Adventure, guests will be immersed in the stories and adventures of the Incredicoaster, Toy Story Midway Mania!, The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, and more.
Guests will discover a newly reimagined attraction in Fantasyland – Snow White’s Enchanted Wish. The timeless tale comes alive in dazzling new scenes, including a dancing figure of Snow White joining the dwarfs in their cottage as the scent of a baking pie wafts through the air. Vibrant new shadow projections show the dwarfs as they march off to the mine happily singing “Heigh Ho,” and the new lighting, glittering jewels and shimmering effects make the mine sparkle. Guests then travel through the Queen’s den to see a new library of spell books, glowing potions and bubbling flasks, toward the famous magic mirror. In the end, Snow White and her Prince ride joyfully into a golden sunset to live happily ever after.
On the “must-do” list for many guests will be a journey to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the largest and most technologically advanced single-themed land expansion ever in a Disney park. Guests are transported to a galaxy far, far away at the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu, where they can take the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. The newest attraction in the land, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, opened in January 2020. It takes guests aboard a full-size transport shuttle before they are captured by a Star Destroyer, finding themselves in the middle of a climactic battle between the dark side of the First Order and the light side of the Resistance, including BB-8, Rey and Chewbacca.
Avengers Campus, a completely new land where guests can live their Super Hero dreams, will open at a later date at Disney California Adventure.
Characters are part of the magic
From to surprise appearances along Main Street, U.S.A., and Pixar Pier to playful interactions, characters from dozens of favorite Disney and Pixar stories will entertain and delight guests across both parks. Beloved characters will pop up in new ways and sometimes in unexpected places as they remain mindful of physical distancing.
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. 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.
Themed dining and world-famous food and drinks
Tasty, tantalizing and ready for social media, Disneyland Resort snacks and dishes are a food-lover’s fairytale wishes come true. Park favorites such as the DOLE Whip®, corn dogs and churros are fun treats offered alongside memorable dining experiences that include lobster nachos and novel drinks at Lamplight Lounge, brisket mac & cheese at River Belle Terrace and Mediterranean-California fare at Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining. The parks offer a multitude of food and drink options, from uniquely themed candy apples and specials like Walt’s Chili to the always popular Plaza Inn fried chicken.
At several locations around the resort, mobile ordering* on the official Disneyland app now is the primary way to order food and drinks. Dining reservations are recommended for table-service restaurants.
Check in to the magic at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
After playing in the theme parks, guests may relax with an overnight stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, where they are surrounded by the Craftsman-style architecture and the tranquil feel of redwood forests. Guests are treated to genuine hospitality and legendary service, just steps from the Downtown Disney District and Disneyland Resort theme parks. The enchanting Disney magic includes well-appointed accommodations, sparkling pools and a chance to request a wake-up call with greetings from some favorite Disney characters.
Guests with valid theme park admission who are planning a stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel will need to also book theme park reservations in advance, as a hotel stay does not guarantee a park reservation. Hotel capacity will be limited. Guests may soon book hotel stays for Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, or a nearby Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Hotel, by visiting Disneyland.comor contacting a travel professional.
Digital tools help guests make the most of their visits
To make the most of a visit to the Disneyland Resort, guests will have digital tools right at their fingertips with the Disneyland app. Guests are strongly encouraged to use the Disneyland app to plan ahead and utilize mobile ordering* for food and beverage purchases from select locations, as well as to check park hours, make dining reservations, and view maps and other important resort updates. Mobile wait list (subject to availability) and mobile check-in options will be available for table-service dining at select locations. Disneyland Resort also recommends cashless transactions such as electronic payment to reduce contact.
Check Disneyland.com for the latest udpates
For everything they need to know about their visits, guests are encouraged to check Disneyland.com regularly for the latest information, including upcoming details about ticket sales and reservations, and which experiences are currently available or will be offered.** Guests also are also encouraged to follow the Disney Parks Blog for reopening details.
The plans to open Disneyland Resort are phased and subject to change, to align with guidance released from time to time by health authorities and appropriate government agencies. This guidance is fluid and applicable at any given time as community situations change. With that guidance, many factors will determine the timing of when offerings may be available, and the status of indoor and outdoor experiences.
* Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.
** Upon reopening, certain parks, hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences and other offerings will be modified or unavailable, will have limited capacity and will be subject to limited availability or even closure, and park admission and offerings are not guaranteed.
DOLE WHIP is a trademark of Dole Food Company, Inc. Used with permission.
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About the Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney California Adventure Park – plus three hotels and the Downtown Disney District, comprising unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s hotels are the luxurious, 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which also features 50 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club units; the magical, 973-room Disneyland Hotel – both AAA Four Diamond properties – and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel with its “day-at-the-beach” theme. For information on attractions and vacations at the Disneyland Resort, visit Disneyland.com, call (866) 43-DISNEY or contact local travel agents. Located in Anaheim, Calif., the Disneyland Resort opened July 17, 1955.
