Disneyland Reopening Details

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Disneyland reopening details. Here’s all the information you need as we look forward to Disneyland’s reopening on April  30, 2021.

Disneyland Resort first closed on March 14, 2020. Since then the world has shifted in dramatic ways.
Through it all, one thing remains certain—there are elements in our lives we missed. Things we needed to do, see and experience to make life feel somewhat normal again. For many of us, that means visiting our beloved Disney Parks.

As various theme parks reopened around the world, we’re excited to see Disneyland Resort reopening with theme park operations in 2021. 

California’s NEW Reopening Guide

As of April 6, 2021 California has updated their state reopening guidelines for theme parks!

California’s blueprint for a safer economy drives reopening guidelines. It’s important to have a basic understanding of the color coded system to see what and when Disneyland can reopen to out of state residents. 

Keep in mind, Anaheim is in Orange County, not to be confused with the orange tier of the opening guidelines.

Disneyland Purple Tier 

Disneyland Resort operating under the purple tier is the color Downtown Disney reopened in, and continues to operate.

•  Downtown Disney restaurants and shops to open with limited capacity, excluding indoor dining
• Partial reopening of Buena Vista Street shopping
• A Touch of Disney begins in March
• Outdoor dining at Carthay Circle Lounge, Smokejumpers Grill and more in California Adventure
• Disneyland theme park rides cannot open in this tier

Disneyland Red Tier 

Disneyland Resort operating under the red tier color allows:

• Disneyland theme park rides can open in this tier, beginning April 30, 2021
• California residents only
• 15% capacity
• Max group size of 10
• No indoor dining
• Limited indoor ride capacity and time limit
• Advanced ticket sales and park reservations

Disneyland Orange Tier (Current March 30, 2021)

Disneyland Resort operating under the orange tier color allows:

• Disneyland theme park rides can open in this tier, beginning as early as April
• California residents only
• 25% capacity, what numbers that might mean here
• Limited indoor dining, see all outdoor options here
• Outdoor rides permitted
• Limited indoor ride capacity and time limit
• Advanced ticket sales and park reservations

Disneyland Yellow Tier

Disneyland theme parks CAN open in this tier. Disneyland Resort can begin operating under the yellow tier color including:

• Disneyland theme park rides can open in this tier
• California residents only
• 35% capacity, what numbers that might mean here
• Limited indoor dining, see all outdoor options here
• Outdoor rides permitted
• Limited indoor ride capacity and time limit
• Advanced ticket sales and park reservations

Disneyland NEW Green Tier

Announced on April 6, 2021 California gave guidelines for what is to come after and dubbed it “Beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.” 

On June 15, California will fully open its economy if two criteria are met:

1. Vaccine supply, enough vaccine must be available for all ages 16 and up who want it. 
2. Hospitalizations are stable and low.

The state also notes that “common-sense health measures such as masking will remain across the state. Testing or vaccination verification requirements will remain in relevant settings.” 

And “[theme parks]  may return to usual operations in compliance with ETS/Cal OSHA and other statewide agency guidelines and standards with limited public health restrictions, such as masking, testing, and testing or vaccination verification requirements for large-scale higher-risk events. See the guideline revisions here.

Disneyland Reopening Date

Disneyland Resort is in a phased reopening with Downtown Disney District,  along with A Touch of Disney, followed by the theme parks on April 30, 2021.

When does Disneyland reopen?

Here’s when Disneyland is reopening and what it means for visitors planning vacations. 

• April 9, 2021 Disneyland will release their calendar through February 20, 2022
• April 12, 2021 Disneyland reservations will open for bookings 60 days in advance and on a rolling basis.  REMEMBER reservations are needed to gain entry—a ticket alone will not suffice!
• April 15, 2021 New ticket sales will be available, along with booking at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel.
• April 22, 2021. Reservations for dining and popular experiences like Savi’s Workshop in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge open.
• April 30, 2021. Disney has confirmed April 30th for reopening for California residents, park hopping allowed beginning at 1:00 pm.
• April 29, 2021 Disney’s Grand Californian will reopen, other Disney owned hotels will reopen at a later date.
• June 15, 2021 The earliest date for out of state guests, as far as I know from the state guidelines above. 
• Layaway Packages my ticket partner offers the most flexible travel plans with layaway.

 
Know before you go regarding Disneyland’s reopening:

• California residents only during initial reopening. 
• Out of state residents as early as June 15, 2021.
• There are risks associated with travel and visiting Disneyland Resort.
• Disney has added warning messages across their website and signs will also be posted at Disneyland Resort entrance points. 
• Review the latest updates with all the reopening procedures are outlined here.

 

 

Many things will be different from the last time you visited Disneyland Resort. But I am here to share official information provided by Disney so you can head to the parks whenever it’s right for your family and create those magical moments you’ve been waiting for.

Tickets & Reservations 

Disneyland has always limited the number of people inside the parks at one time, but they do not release official attendance numbers to the public. And now with reduced capacity, it’s even more of a concern. Here’s the number of people we expect to be allowed inside once the parks reopen. 

 

 

Do I need a reservation even if I have tickets to Disneyland? 

Yes, you will need reservations in addition to your park ticket for park admission during the initial reopening. More information on reservations will be released prior to the reopening. But there are a few things to note. 

Know before you go regarding tickets & reservations:

• New tickets can be purchased April 15th for California residents
• expiration dates have been extended for many ticket types
• reservations are expected to be temporary but possibly through 2021 and beyond
• park hopping will be permitted during the reservation period beginning at 1 pm each day with a valid ticket

 

Will Disneyland limit capacity when they reopen?

Yes, Disneyland reopening will operate under reduced capacity. This could be the best time to go for those who are always looking for low crowds!

 

 

Know before you go regarding reduced capacity:

• tickets for Disneyland Resort are no longer for sale anywhere online, including Disneyland
• if you already have tickets for dates when Disneyland will be open, details on how to redeem those tickets for specific dates will be released soon

Reopening Parking

During the initial reopening, theme park guests will park in Mickey & Friends parking lot and follow the signs to walk along the tram route to enter. 

 

The tram will not be running during the initial reopening, so plan for the walk over to the parks from Mickey & Friends. 

Masks, Distancing & Vaccines

What will be expected of you when you arrive at Disneyland? First thing, you need a mask. I suggest you bring at least 2 masks per person, per day. 

Disneyland contineus to require mandatory face coverings for both Cast Members and Guests ages 2 and up. They have also added of hand-washing stations and physical barriers where appropriate.

ShopDisney has added cloth face masks to their collection if you want to coordinate with your Disney gear. Browse popular Disney character masks here and order yours now. 

Do I have to wear a mask at Disneyland?

Yes, all guests ages 2 and over—along with Cast Members—must wear face coverings when visiting Disneyland Resort. Select Disneyland reopening questions and answers here. 

Know before you go regarding face coverings:

• remember to bring your own face coverings to the resort
• all guests ages 2 and up are required to wear face coverings at all times
• vaccination does not exempt you from the mask mandate
• face coverings must cover nose and mouth
• face coverings must be secured with ties or ear loops
• no neck gaiters or open chin types
• no valves, holes or mesh material
• no costume masks
• face coverings and physical distancing are both required

Exceptions to wearing masks and face coverings:

• guests may remove face coverings when eating AND stationary, you cannot sip and stroll. 
• it’s being reported you cannot even sit and slowly sip without a mask, you might be asked to put in on between sips

 

 

Are masks covered under the ADA? I haven’t found anything specifically about face coverings on ADA.gov (if you find something there please let me know), but I did find this article from Snopes that clarifies a well-circulate internet myth. 

What if I don’t want to wear a mask at Disneyland?

Masks are required for visiting Disneyland Resort at this time. I understand it is disappointing to wait even longer to return.

If wearing a mask doesn’t work for your family I suggest waiting to return to Disneyland Resort until a facial covering is no longer required. 

 

 

Additionally, hotels and Disneyland vacation packages are open for 2021 booking but that is not a promise that masks will not be required at that time. 

Temperature Screenings

Upon arrival at Disneyland Resort including hotels, theme parks and Downtown Disney, you will need to undergo a temperature screening with no-touch thermometers. 

Know before you go regarding temperature checks:

• before you leave home or your hotel, be sure to check the temperatures of everyone in your party as an extra layer of precaution
• anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 F or above will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance
• those with temperatures 100.4 F or above will not be allowed entry; those in their party will not be allowed entry either

 

 

In addition, you may be curious about what kind of health screenings are required for Cast Members at Disneyland.

In every Disney Resort around the world and at recently opened Shanghi Disney says the company has said, “The resort will provide an extensive range of measures, designed to ensure a safe and healthy experience for all guests, Cast Members and Disneytown tenant employees, including strict and comprehensive approaches on sanitization, disinfection and cleanliness . . .”

Disneyland has also announced Cast Members will be subject to temperature checks and health screenings. 

Disneyland Vaccinations

Disneyland Resort is partnering with Orange County to house the area’s first large scale point-of-dispensing site. Vaccinations will be given to those eligible who live or work in Orange County. 

Do I need a vaccination to go to Disneyland? 

Disneyland’s vaccination clinic will be onsite at the Toy Story parking lot for those living and working in Orange County. It is not meant as a vaccination clinic for tourists or theme park guests. 

Disney has not required vaccines as criteria for admission in the past. In addition, Walt Disney World and other Disney theme parks around the world have reopened without that requirement.

It’s my personal opinion that a vaccination requirement won’t be implemented by The Walt Disney Company for guests, but I do not know if local government can or will put restrictions like that in place. I will of course update this article as more news comes out. 

Social Distancing 

Social distancing at Disneyland. Two phrases we never thought we’d see in our lives have merged. We’ve been socially and physically distant for months, we understand that minimum spacing between our family and others outside of our household is important.

How will this even be possible at Disneyland Resort?  We’ve seen it in place at Walt Disney World since July and Disney has done an amazing job and keeping people at a distance when on rides. Here’s all the Disneyland Resort rides that are completely outdoors to help take it a step further. 

 

 
Know before you go regarding social distancing:

• temporary adjustments are in place to ensure an enjoyable environment for everyone
• see which rides are all outside, including queues for max air flow
• watch for directional signage and ground markings to promote physical distancing between parties
• barriers have been added in select places such as around cash registers or at Guest Relations where it is difficult to maintain strict physical distancing 
• debit cards, credit cards and Disney Gift Cards are encouraged to reduce contact
• download the Disneyland App before arrival and add a form of payment as well

 

 

Should I take my kids to Disneyland when it reopens? It’s difficult for children to understand the new rules of social space. This is a very personal question and depends on lots of factors. My friend Julie and Mom Rewritten has covered this in great detail here. 

What’s Open & Closed

When you’re spending a lot of money on a highly anticipated Disneyland vacation, you want to get the most for your dollar. Here’s what to expect during the Disneyland reopening.

• Here’s what’s open at Disneyland right now
• Here’s what’s closed at Disneyland right now

Will all rides be open during my visit? 

Not all attractions will be open, but here’s a list of all of Disneyland’s outdoor rides both the line and the ride itself.

 

 

 

Disneyland attractions undergo regular maintenance and refurbishment throughout the year. Some attractions may not be available, but you can see what’s closed during your visit here. 

Can I use FASTPASS or Disney MaxPass during my trip?

FASTPASS and Disney MaxPass has been suspended until further notice. No word yet on refunds for pre-paid MaxPass purchases.

Will there be Magic Morning during my vacation?

Not initially. Disneyland’s website states, “Magic Morning and Extra Magic Hour offerings will be suspended upon reopening of our hotels and theme parks as we plan to manage capacity. We will share any updates on these offerings at a later date.” 

Will there be fireworks during my visit?

Disneyland fireworks do not run every night, even before modifications were put in place. Disney itself says, “select attractions and certain experiences that draw large group gatherings—such as parades and nighttime spectaculars—will return at a later date.”

Please see our fireworks schedule for details on what’s playing during future visits. 

Will there be parades during my visit? 

Disney says, “select attractions and certain experiences that draw large group gatherings—such as parades and nighttime spectaculars—will return at a later date.”

Various Disneyland parades run seasonally, even before modifications were put in place. Please see our parade schedule for details on what’s running during your visit. 

Will World of Color or Fantasmic run during my visit?

Disney says, “select attractions and certain experiences that draw large group gatherings—such as parades and nighttime spectaculars—will return at a later date.”

Both shows take various breaks throughout the year. We will update this section once we hear more regarding these nighttime favorites. 

Will there be character meet and greets during my visit? 

Character interactions will be modified during the initial reopening phases. You can still see your favorites like Mickey Mouse from a distance to wave and say hello. Use the Disneyland App to locate your favorites.

 

 
Know before you go regarding modified operations:

• certain restaurants, attractions, experiences and other offerings will be modified or unavailable
• we will update this list as various experiences and attractions are confirmed to be on the closure list

There are still many unanswered questions. My promise to you is no rumors. I report only official Disney sources so you can be confident in the information you read here.

Do you have specific questions on Disneyland’s reopening? Please add your comments to help me better refine this article as reopening details are released.