Disneyland demands California theme parks reopen as Newsom promises guidelines ‘very, very shortly’ – Orange County Register
Please visit the parks official websites for their latest guidelines and openings
When will California theme parks reopen? How many COVID-19 outbreaks have there been at U.S. theme parks? Should theme parks launch new rides now or wait until next year? Find all the latest theme park news in the Park Life newsletter.
Still Waiting
Gov. Gavin Newsom says an announcement is coming “very, very shortly” on reopening California theme parks.
Disneyland has been shut for months amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Breaking Point
The closure of Disneyland is crushing Anaheim’s economy. Buena Park desperately needs Knott’s to fully reopen. And the Happiest Place on Earth is unhappy.
Guests stop to take a selfie at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort on July 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. July 11, 2020 is the first day of the phased reopening. (Photo by Kent Phillips, Walt Disney World Resort)
No Outbreaks
There have been no reports of COVID-19 outbreaks at major U.S. amusement parks. What’s keeping California theme parks closed?
Crowds fill Main Street U.S.A. before the opening of Rise of the Resistance at In Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Jan. 17, 2020.(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Open Space
Disneyland could comfortably accommodate 50% of the 110-acre theme park’s theoretical pre-COVID-19 attendance capacity. We crunch the numbers.
Concept art of the Emperor coaster that was set to open in 2020 at SeaWorld San Diego, but has been pushed back to 2021 because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. (Courtesy of SeaWorld)
Missing Out
Theme parks that don’t start preparing for the travel recovery now might not get to be a part of it when it happens, writes theme park columnist Robert Niles.
Tweets of the Week
Video: Check out the new standard for Disney dark rides with the full pre-show and ride POV on Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast at Tokyo Disneyland https://t.co/caMufYAnn1
— Brady MacDonald (@bmacdonald) September 22, 2020
The level of theming on Vekoma’s innovative new flying coaster at @Phantasialand is simply stunning https://t.co/f9gRrDd0B9
— Brady MacDonald (@bmacdonald) September 21, 2020
The new Stunt Pilot coaster coming to @silverwood4fun in 2021 looks amazing. The RMC Raptor single-rail ride appears to be near-clone of RailBlazer and Wonder Woman: Golden Lasso, according to @screamscape https://t.co/VO0cHHwgmS
— Brady MacDonald (@bmacdonald) September 18, 2020
Is it too soon to start talking about a Mulan ride? Yahoo Finance estimates Disney took in $261 million from U.S. markets with the release of Mulan on Disney+. A “very pleased” Disney keeps all that cash rather than split the profits with theater chains. https://t.co/OgsEkALywL
— Brady MacDonald (@bmacdonald) September 17, 2020
Want to eat dinner inside a haunted house complete with scareactors? @WalibiHolland Fright Nights offers dinner for 2 inside the Jefferson Manor haunted maze for $180 and dinner for 4 inside the Firepit scare zone for $280 https://t.co/k8JRPnaCjt @teamlooopings
— Brady MacDonald (@bmacdonald) September 16, 2020