The Historic Reopening of Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Resort closed on March 14, 2020 in response to the global health crisis. The unprecedented closure has lasted over one year. However, a reopening date has been announced, and the Disneyland theme parks — Disneyland and Disney California Adventure — will reopen to guests on April 30, 2021!

Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle

Here we are sharing everything you need to know about this historic reopening of Disneyland Resort — The Happiest Place on Earth!

Disneyland’s reopening announcement! © Disney

“To all who come to this happy place: Welcome.” — Walt Disney

Reopening Guidelines

Reopening Capacity

The initial reopening phase of Disneyland Resort will follow guidelines as set by the state of California.

Disney California Adventure

While Orange County is currently in the Orange Tier, Disneyland Resort will operate at a limited capacity. Further capacity adjustments can be made once the county reaches other tiers.

©COVID19.ca.gov

Please note that only California residents will be permitted to attend the theme parks upon initial reopening. (Over the next several weeks, updated government guidelines will be developed in partnership with the California theme parks.)

Health and Safety Measures

Disneyland Resort is set to implement many of the health and safety measures that have already been put into place since the reopening of the Downtown Disney District. These include — but are not limited to — heightened cleaning and sanitation measures, physical distancing measures, and the required wearing of face masks.

Disneyland Health and Safety Sign

Face coverings will be required for ALL guests ages 2 and up, Cast Members, and Operating Participant employees.

Briar Rose Gold Disneyland Face Mask by Spirit Jersey

You can read the Face Mask policies in full here.

CLICK HERE to be informed of the Face Mask policies for Disneyland Resort.

Park Pass Reservations and Tickets

Similar to the current procedures in use for the Walt Disney World theme parks, Disney has announced that ALL Disneyland Resort guests, including Annual Passholders and resort guests, will be required to obtain an advance reservation for park entry with the Theme Park Reservation System. Guests ages 3 and up will need valid admission in addition to that Park Pass reservation. Also remember that groups must be smaller than 3 households in order to visit.

Entering Disney California Adventure

The use of the reservation system helps to monitor entry since theme park capacity will be significantly limited to comply with governmental requirements and promote physical distancing. These reservations will need to be made in advance.

Find out everything you need to know about making Theme Park Reservations here!

Please Note: guests with valid theme park admission who are staying at the reopened Disneyland Resort hotels will also need to book theme park reservations in advance. So, a hotel stay does NOT guarantee a park reservation.

Disney has provided the following 4-STEP GUIDE to making a theme park reservation:

©Disney

This reservation system launched on April 12th for guests with existing tickets, and ticket sales for eligible guests resumed on April 15th! Upon purchasing valid tickets, guests are immediately able to make park reservations, too.

Find out everything you need to know about making Theme Park Reservations here!

As for the tickets themselves, the previous five-tiered ticket system remains in place. These tiers allow Disneyland to charge less for entry on slower days, and more on busier days. You can find those tiered prices below. And as before, your Park Hopper tickets will cost more.

©Disney

Find more details regarding Tiered Tickets and ticket blockout dates here!

Yes, Park Hopping will also return, and will begin at 1PM each day! Upon reopening, park hours are currently scheduled for 9AM-7PM. Guests will need to make a Park Pass reservation for your first park of the day.

Guests will be able to park at the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals parking structures off Disneyland Drive

The Theme Park Experience

Disney Characters

Disney shares that when the California theme parks reopen, “characters from dozens of favorite Disney and Pixar stories will entertain and delight guests across both parks.”

MICKEY!!!

Characters could make surprise appearances along Main Street, U.S.A. and Pixar Pier, and there will also be other playful character interactions. The characters are set to “pop up in new ways and sometimes in unexpected places as they remain mindful of physical distancing.”

Daisy and Pluto

You may be able to see Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse waving from the train station. More of a Disney Princess fan? Disney has also said that Disney Princesses such as Mulan may appear at the Royal Theatre to wave and pose for some socially distanced selfies.

Just like in Disney World, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will have a few familiar faces like Rey, Chewbacca, and Vi Moradi above the speeder garage at Black Spire Station or Stormtroopers and Kylo Ren at the TIE Echelon starfighter platform.

Look for Rey and Chewbacca (and more!) in Galaxy’s Edge

Of course, there will be characters in Disney California Adventure too. Disney characters may appear at Carthay Circle and the Pixar Pier bandshell. Plus, you’ll be able to spot Disney Junior characters like Vampirina and Doc McStuffins at the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land.

Hey Mater!

And, of course, you can take photos with Mater and Lightning McQueen along Route 66 in Cars Land.

Prior to June 4th (when Avengers Campus opens), the Hollywood Backlot Stage will play host to Avengers and heroes such as Black Widow, Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, Black Panther, and the Dora Milaje.

Captain America

After June 4th? They’ll be hanging around the just-opened Avengers Campus!

Entertainment — Parades and Fireworks

When Disneyland’s theme parks reopen, “experiences that draw large group gatherings,” such as parades and fireworks will be temporarily suspended.

Cinderella in the Magic Happens Parade

According to Disney, these experiences “will return at a later date.”

Theme Park Attractions

The following attractions are confirmed to reopen along with the Disneyland Resort theme parks:

Disneyland:

Alice in Wonderland
Astro Orbitor
Autopia
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Disneyland Railroad
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Gadget’s Go Coaster
Haunted Mansion
Indiana Jones Adventure
“it’s a small world”
King Arthur Carrousel
Mad Tea Party
Main Street Vehicles
Mark Twain Riverboat
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Peter Pan’s Flight
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
Pirates of the Caribbean
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — will utilize virtual queue, more details to come
Tarzan’s Treehouse
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Disney California Adventure:

Games of Pixar Pier
Goofy’s Sky School
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
Incredicoaster
Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
Jessie’s Critter Carousel
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
Pixar Pal-A-Round – Non-Swinging
Pixar Pal-A-Round – Swinging
Radiator Springs Racers
Silly Symphony Swings
Soarin’ Around the World
The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Turtle Talk with Crush

Theme Park Restaurants

If you’re planning on eating while you’re in the parks, reservations for select locations are expected to open on April 22nd, with limited capacity. You’ll be able to book your dining reservation 60 days in advance. For Quick Service restaurants, you can utilize Mobile Order to order and pay ahead.

The following restaurants are confirmed to reopen along with the Disneyland Resort theme parks:

Disneyland

Plaza Inn

Disney California Adventure

Lamplight Lounge
Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining
Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats
Angry Dogs
Award Wieners
Churros
Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
Cozy Cone Motel – Cones 1-3 (Churros, Ice Cream, Cone-coctions)
Cappuccino Cart
Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe
Flo’s V8 Cafe
Ghirardelli® Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
Hollywood Lounge
Ice Cream Carts
Pacific Wharf Distribution Co.
Popcorn
Poultry Palace
Rita’s Baja Blenders
Señor Buzz Churros
Smokejumpers Grill
Sonoma Terrace
Studio Catering Co.

Disneyland Resort Hotels

Disneyland’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa plans to reopen on April 29th, 2021, with limited capacity. Reservations are open as of April 15th, and you can learn more about the booking process here.

Welcome to the Grand Californian!

While the main resort will reopen on April 29th, the Villas are still set to reopen on May 2nd.

The two other Disneyland Resort hotels — Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel — will reopen at a later date.

And note that over 50 (!!!) nearby hotels just off Disneyland property are offering some terrific discounts — find out more here!

“The Magic is Back” Merchandise

Guests attending the reopening of Disneyland Resort will have access to a new line of merchandise just for the VERY special occasion: “The Magic is Back” merchandise!