Disneyland Reopening Details

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Disneyland reopening details. Here’s all the information you need as we approach Disneyland’s reopening.

Disneyland Closure

Since Disneyland Resort first closed on March 14, 2020, 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. Updated June 1, 2020. 

For many of us, that means going to Disneyland with our friends and family. We didn’t stop dreaming— our shelter in place is now planning phases for Oogie Boogie Bash and even the Holiday Season.

In the midst of lots of bad news, I want to see the good. And sometimes that means we have to look harder. These are the details of Disneyland Resort’s reopening, as far away as it may be, because as Walt Disney said, “We keep moving forward” and we’re gonna do that together. 

Disneyland Reopening Date

I expect Disneyland Resort to follow the pattern of Shanghai Disney and Walt Disney World by opening in phases.

We also have word from Anaheim that their plans have been submitted to the state for approval. This chart as shared by the City of Anaheim specifically identifies Disneyland Resort as possible reopening in phases throughout their plan, even beginning as soon as now.

But will Disneyland jump in when it’s approved or consider a more conservative approach? 

When will Disneyland open again?

We don’t know when just yet, but Disneyland Resort will reopen after the temporary closure. Keep reading for details on other parks operations around the world and bookmark this post as I will continue to update it throughout this season of life. 

• July 15, 2020 Disneyland Resort hotels are accepting reservations. This information changed from June 1 to July 1 on May 6, 2020 and again from July 15 on June 1, 2020. 
• Layaway Packages Open my ticket partner offers the most flexible travel plans with layaway.
• TBA select Downtown Disney District shops and restaurants, including some of my favorites. 
• TBA Disneyland Resort hotels: Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel.
• TBA Disneyland Park and of course Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. 
• TBA Disney California Adventure Park with  a possible extended Food & Wine Festival. 

Here’s the latest update from Disneyland’s website if you’d like to read along. 

Disney Parks Reopen Around the World 

There’s a lot of speculation surrounding the reopening of Disneyland Resort. Part of it is kinda fun to dig into what’s happening at other parks to see if we can make some assumptions.

I definitely have my assumptions based on things we can observe at other parks. But I also try to remember that each of these parks around the world are not only part of the Walt Disney Company, but operate under various governments. Keep those things in mind as we look around the world for answers. 

Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World has announced reopening in a phased approach with select parks beginning July 11th.

Here is the link to Walt Disney World’s website for the latest information, including information on reservations, face coverings and limited capacity. 

• Walt Disney head of parks Josh D’Amaro has been appointed to the Governor of Florida’s reopening task force
• May 20, 2020 Disney Springs third party locations open (similar to Disneyland’s Downtown Disney)
• May 27, 2020 Disney Springs Disney owned locations open

Shanghai Disney Resort

Shanghai is OPEN! Shanghai Disney Resort is the first park around the world to resume operations after closures.

Here’s what’s happening there with direct links to official park pages for the most up to date information. 

• January 25, 2020 Shanghai Disney Resort closure began
• March 9, 2020 Shanghai Disney Resort phased reopening began
• March 9, 2020 Shanghai Disney Resort Disneytown (similar to Downtown Disney) reopens
• March 9, 2020 Shanghai Disney Resort Wishing Star Park reopens
• March 9, 2020 Shanghai Disneyland Hotel reopens
• March 14, 2020Shanghai Disney Resort character dining Lumiere’s Kitchen reopens 
• May 11, 2020 Shanghai Disney theme park reopens

Listening to the call with Disney live, here’s a few things you should know about the reopening of Shanghai Disney. For reopening they will do so with “advanced reservations, masks, temperature screening and contact tracing systems” as announced by Disney CEO Bob Chapek during the Q2 Disney company quarterly call. You can listen to the replay here. 

To further clarify, later in the call Bob Chapek mentioned masks will be for guests and cast members with the exclusion of face characters who will be at a distance. He also said Shanghai will have something similar to dated tickets to keep attendance levels at bay, and did mention it’s not necessarily what they will be doing in the U.S. parks. Again, click the link above and hear it right from the source. 

Shanghai government asks Disney to reduce attendance to 30% and Disney will work their way up to 30%, they won’t jump right into 30%.

Shanghai Disney also notes new policies and procedures in place since reopening: 

“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. In accordance with relevant regulations, every guest entering Shanghai Disney Resort will be required to undergo temperature screening procedures and present their Shanghai QR Code.”

“Only guests with a green Shanghai QR Code will be allowed to enter the resort. Guests must wear a mask during their entire visit (except when dining), and will also be reminded to maintain respectful social distances at all times while in stores, queues and restaurants.”

The Shanghai QR Code mentioned above is not a Disney feature or policy. It is a color coded system issued by the Chinese government (see NYTimes article explaining the details).

View all the latest information from Shanghai Disney Resort here. 

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

Here is the official website of Hong Kong Disneyland with most up to date information. 

• January 26, 2020 Hong Kong Disneyland closure began
• Inspiration Hong Kong Disneyland Lake Recreation Centre remains open

Hong Kong Disneyland closure announcement:

“As a precautionary measure in line with preventive efforts taking place across Hong Kong, we are temporarily closing Hong Kong Disneyland Park out of consideration for the health and safety of our Guests and Cast Members.”

“We are in close contact with health authorities and the government about the situation and will announce a reopening date once they determine it is advisable. Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre remains open as usual.”

Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo Disney Resort has been the most forthcoming (date-wise) about reopening. Here’s what’s happening there with direct links to official park pages for the most up to date information. 

• February 27, 2020 Tokyo Disney Resort closure began
• April 20, 2020 Tokyo Disney Resort first planned to reopen, but was extended
• May 15, 2020 Tokyo Disney reopening date to be determined and announced 

Good News from Disneyland

I love a bit of good news, especially during this time of doom and gloom. I’ve gathered some good news coming out of Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim area for you to enjoy.

Disney Executive Chairman, Bob Iger named to California’s reopening task force by California Governor Newsom. I was watching the Governor’s daily briefing when he brought on Bob Iger to speak, his remarks were cut short due to technical glitches but I am still very pleased to see Bob Iger is part of a major task force to keep things safely moving toward the future for the state of California. 

And more good news coming out of Anaheim, not specifically tied to reopening but good news just the same!

• Anaheim YMCA provides over 5,000 free meals a day to the Greater Anaheim area. See the video of how they’re serving the community in many, many ways here. 
• Disney donates cloth face masks to communities in need. 
• Stronger Together is the message of resilience from Visit Anaheim, read their good news of generous donations here. 
• Disney Parks donated food and supplies to communities in need during their closure. 

Any good news I’ve missed?

Disneyland Health Screenings & Masks

Many rumors circulated during Disneyland’s closure regarding health screenings for guests arriving at Disneyland Resort, including a quote from Bob Iger thinking aloud that temperature checks might be required. 

The website with safety and health information on Disney Springs reopening (Walt Disney World location) contains this warning, “We have taken enhanced health and safety measures—for you, our other Guests, and Cast Members. You must follow all posted instructions while visiting Disney Springs.” Read the entire message here.

As we look to the phased reopening of Disney Springs, the Downtown Disney equivalent at Walt Disney World, we get a lot of guidance. 

Do I have to wear a mask at Disneyland?

Many counties in California require a face covering when in public. We’ve also seen some hints on what’s to come at Disneyland Resort from both Shanghai Disney and the phased opening of Walt Disney World in Florida. 

Disney has released the following details for the reopening of Walt Disney World. Guests ages 3 and older, Cast Members and Operating Participant employees are required to wear an appropriate face covering. Guests must bring their own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining.

ShopDisney has added cloth face masks to their collection. Browse popular Disney character masks here and order yours now. 

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

Disney has released this information regarding the mask requirement at Walt Disney World. “Given this unprecedented situation, we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we navigate these challenges as responsibly as we can. With our robust measures in place, we believe a key factor in our success in reopening Disney Springs will be our Guests’ acceptance and adherence to our new protocols while taking personal responsibility to ensure proper physical distancing. Guests without masks will not be allowed entry to Disney Springs.”

Do I need to have my temperature taken before I go to Disneyland?

Again we look to the reopening of Walt Disney World Resort.

In order to enter Walt Disney World property (information has not been released for Disneyland Resort yet) guest are required to undergo health screenings:

• Temperature screenings with touchless thermometer. 
• Anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 F or above will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance.
• Those with temperatures above 100.4 will not be allowed entry.
• Additionally, those in their party will not be allowed entry either.

I expect the health screenings to take place at the same locations security screening takes place. However,  before Disneyland Resort reopens I will share official information here. 

Should I take my kids to Disneyland when it reopens? 

Again 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 kind of health screenings are required for Cast Members at Disneyland?

In every Disney Resort around the world including 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 . . .”

And at Walt Disney World we find that Cast Members will undergo training on how to keep themselves and guests safe and healthy. Further, “Cast Members and Operating Participant employees will be required to complete a health screening and temperature check at home, prior to coming to work.”

Disneyland Capacity & Physical Distancing

New operations means many things that still aren’t quite normal. Especially at a place like Disneyland. Many of you have had question about how Disneyland will enforce capacity and physical distancing. 

Will Disneyland limit the number of people inside the parks?

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.

If you’re concerned about a lower number of people being admitted to Disneyland Resort following the reopening, here’s some things I would consider:

• The earlier you arrive, the higher your chances for getting into Disneyland (if policies change on queueing up outside the gates, I will update this article). I always recommend Rope Drop at Disneyland. 
• If you want access before the general public (and before capacity is met), consider staying at one of the
• Disneyland Resort owned hotels: Disney’s Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier Hotel.
• Follow the guidelines in my article specifically about Disneyland reaching capacity.
• Purchase your tickets before you arrive. Don’t worry about the expiration date too much (details on extensions here)
  

How will Disneyland enforce physical distancing guidelines?

Again, we look to Walt Disney World for cues, “Managing density within Disney Springs has been a major consideration as we implement physical distancing guidelines based on recommendations from health authorities and government officials. One of the ways to do that is to limit the number of Guests in any given time for each location. One-way and other directional signage has been installed to assist Guests to responsibly move throughout the property. Additionally, ground markings have also been installed to allow for proper physical distancing when queuing is needed at a location. We are also adding a new team to engage with Guests and promote physical distancing guidelines in common areas and queues.”

Walt Disney World has also implemented a Cast Member team called the “Social Distancing Squad” who energetically remind people to follow the guidelines of space and face coverings.

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 more questions on Disneyland’s reopening—your comments will help me better refine this article as reopening details are released.