{"id":262164,"date":"2021-04-30T19:47:55","date_gmt":"2021-04-30T19:47:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/breaking-news\/we-have-waited-so-long-for-this-disneyland-reopens-after-412-days.html"},"modified":"2021-04-30T19:47:55","modified_gmt":"2021-04-30T19:47:55","slug":"we-have-waited-so-long-for-this-disneyland-reopens-after-412-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/breaking-news\/we-have-waited-so-long-for-this-disneyland-reopens-after-412-days.html","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;We have waited so long for this&#8217;: Disneyland reopens after 412 days"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park reopened at 8 a.m. local time with the first guests cheering, clapping and waving as they came through the gates.\u00a0The\u00a0Anaheim parks are only\u00a0open\u00a0to California residents at limited capacity for now.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Kate Fail of Los Angeles couldn\u2019t hold back the tears, she was so happy to be back in Disneyland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cSpending time with friends and just riding rides again\u201d is what she most was looking forward to as she entered the park.\u00a0First stop for Fail: Space Mountain.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Kevin Pryor, from Fountain Valley, California,\u00a0and Brittany Roth, from Santa Ana,\u00a0met at Disneyland just before the pandemic and have been dating since. They stopped at Town Square to kiss, re-enacting the famous photograph of a\u00a0kiss between a sailor and nurse at the end of WWII. The kiss\u00a0was symbolic of the park reopening as a victory over COVID-19, similar to the\u00a0victory at the end of WWII, Pryor told the USA TODAY Network.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong class=\"gnt_ar_b_al\">&#8216;We&#8217;re home!&#8217;:<\/strong>Engagements, excitement abound as Disneyland reopens<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"gnt_em_gl_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpressdynamos.com\/timesofnewscdn\/USA\/14656_c35e5ecf-a441-4154-8cb3-f219962b2e5e-XXX_Disney_1.JPG\" data-gl-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2021\/04\/30\/USAT\/c35e5ecf-a441-4154-8cb3-f219962b2e5e-XXX_Disney_1.JPG?crop=5730,3223,x0,y233width=1320height=744format=pjpgauto=webp 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Cast members monitored lines and enforced distancing rules, and guests were spread out except when coming through the entrance. Concrete benches in front of King Arthur Carousel have signs to keep people distanced, allowing just one person to sit. Wait times on rides varied in the morning from about 5 to 45 minutes but changed quickly as people moved around. Before the pandemic, popular rides could have wait times over an hour.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside aria-label=\"advertisement\" class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\"><\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Characters in Toontown came out randomly, standing at the doorways or front porches of their homes and waved. Guests are not currently able to go into the homes of Mickey, Minnie and other characters but stood on the curb outside the houses, waved\u00a0and took photos from afar. Mickey came out of his house at 10:30 a.m. and waved to guests who quickly began to gather. A cast member verbally reminded all to \u201cstay 6 feet away\u201d from each other.\u00a0These are the pandemic-era\u00a0character meetings under current COVID-19 safety guidelines.<\/p>\n<aside aria-label=\"advertisement\" class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\"><\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">But despite some differences, enthusiasm remained high, and guests were thrilled to be back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Henry and Angela Hong from El Dorado Hills in Northern California, made the drive with their 9-year-old son, Maxwell, to Anaheim for the reopening.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">They had a trip planned when the parks closed last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to having fun,\u201d Maxwell said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">This is the first trip they have taken since the pandemic and said they felt safe inside Disneyland with all the safety precautions being taken.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cIt was beautiful the way all of the cast members were out waving\u201d as guests came in, Henry Hong said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cIt was kind of emotional,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Getting ready to reopen Disneyland<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The morning started at 6:50 a.m. with the raising of the American and California flags by the Disneyland color guard at Town Square on Main Street.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpressdynamos.com\/timesofnewscdn\/USA\/4d0c2_ab71132a-2967-41c8-92af-0d7d314ad5ec-XXX_Disney.JPG\" data-gl-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2021\/04\/30\/USAT\/ab71132a-2967-41c8-92af-0d7d314ad5ec-XXX_Disney.JPG?width=1320height=880fit=cropformat=pjpgauto=webp 2x\" alt=\"Disneyland cast Members watch as Color Guard members raise the flag inside of Disneyland.\" \/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">A select number of masked and distanced cast members attended and were welcomed by Disney CEO Bob Chapek.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cWow. What a day,\u201d Chapek said. \u201cWe have waited so long for this.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The excitement and energy can be felt throughout, he said, then thanked cast members for all they do.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cWe\u2019re not just another place. We\u2019re not just another theme park. We\u2019re something special because of you,\u201d Chapek said. \u201cNow, let\u2019s go make the magical memories that last a lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\"><\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In the final hours before opening, crews were watering plants and setting up kiosks. The Disneyland train began to circle the park about 7:15 a.m. Cast members lined Main Street USA, getting ready to greet guests as they come through the gates.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Safety is key, as evidenced by the hand\u00a0sanitizer stations every few feet and lines on the pavement, in shops and line queues reminding all to keep guests well distanced.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Disneyland has always been known for cleanliness. That is now stepped-up with cast members constantly wiping down handrails, tops of walls and areas where people may lean or randomly touch as they walk by.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Added safety features also include plexiglass around cashier areas of kiosks. Because there is no indoor dining, there are more tables and chairs outdoors through the park where people can sit and eat. A reminder, too, that guests must be stationary when eating \u2013 no more snacking while walking around or waiting in line for rides.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">The path to reopening Disneyland<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Disneyland is the only one of the company\u2019s theme parks to be built by Walt Disney, though he had begun buying land and making plans for what would become Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, before his death in 1966.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cTo all who come to this happy place, welcome,\u201d he said at the July 17, 1955, opening, which drew more than 28,000 people \u2013 nearly double the number invited.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Until the <a href=\"javascript:void(0);\">coronavirus pandemic<\/a>, Disneyland had been closed just three times before \u2013 on the National Day of Mourning in 1963 after President John Kennedy was assassinated; in 1994 following the Northridge earthquake; and on Sept. 11, 2001, following the 9\/11 terror attacks. Each of those closures was for one day.<\/p>\n<p>Disney closed its\u00a0California parks on March 14, 2020, executives expected to reopen by the end of the month. But coronavirus continued to spread. Disney tentatively set a reopening date of mid-July 2020, which again had to be delayed, pending government approval.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Shops and restaurants in Downtown Disney, however, were able to reopen in July under <a href=\"javascript:void(0);\">California\u2019s COVID-19 guidelines<\/a>. A few months later, Disney opened some retail shops inside California Adventure and in March hosted the ticketed \u201cA Touch of Disney\u201d food-tasting experience inside the park, which brought back about 1,000 cast members.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Rides and attractions remained closed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In March, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that all of California\u2019s theme parks could reopen on April 1, and soon after Chapek announced that Disney was starting to call back furloughed employees, who have since been trained on the new COVID safety standards.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">More than 15,000 cast members have been brought back to both parks, so far. At peak, the Disneyland Resort employs about 32,000 people, and Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort, has said he hopes\u00a0that soon, more can be called back.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Disney California Adventure Park and Disneyland reopen with COVID changes<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong>Temperature checks: <\/strong>Guests<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>will be required to undergo temperature screenings with no-touch thermometers before entering the parks. Based on state health guidelines, anyone with a temperature of 100.4 F or higher will not be allowed entry, nor will anyone in their party.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong>Masks: <\/strong>Face coverings can only be removed when actively eating or drinking, but you must be stationary and physically distanced from others when doing so. Eating and drinking are permitted only in designated dining areas and are not permitted while in line or on rides. Masks must fully cover the mouth and nose. No neck gaiters or open-chin triangle bandannas. Check the <a href=\"javascript:void(0);\">Disneyland website<\/a> or app for acceptable face coverings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong>Cashless payment: <\/strong>Guests are encouraged to use debit, credit or gift cards for purchases rather than cash.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">For tickets and reservations, park hours, lists of rides, attractions and dining spots that are open, visit <a href=\"javascript:void(0);\">Disneyland.com<\/a> or download the Disneyland app.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"gnt_em_gl_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpressdynamos.com\/timesofnewscdn\/USA\/67341_c61de0cb-ce5f-4cd2-a397-a1dc440d13ae-Avengers_Campus.jpg\" data-gl-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2020\/12\/24\/USAT\/c61de0cb-ce5f-4cd2-a397-a1dc440d13ae-Avengers_Campus.jpg?crop=2181,1227,x259,y0width=1320height=744format=pjpgauto=webp 2x\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Article source: http:\/\/rssfeeds.usatoday.com\/~\/650432282\/0\/usatoday-newstopstories~We-have-waited-so-long-for-this-Disneyland-reopens-after-days\/<\/a>\r\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park reopened at 8 a.m. local time with the first guests cheering, clapping and waving as they came through the gates.\u00a0The\u00a0Anaheim parks are only\u00a0open\u00a0to California residents at limited capacity for now. Kate Fail of Los Angeles couldn\u2019t hold back the tears, she was so happy to be back in Disneyland. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":262165,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[75],"tags":[13],"class_list":["post-262164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-breaking-news","tag-breaking-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=262164"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262164\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/262165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=262164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=262164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=262164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}