Disneyland is currently in the seventh month of its historic closure due to the pandemic. In recent weeks, we have reported on several sightings that could indicate the resort is preparing to reopen. This has included benches and signs added throughout the resort area, as well as new safety information and social distancing markers appearing in and around the park main entrances.

If you were to only look at what is being added around the Disneyland Resort, you could easily suppose that a reopening date is right around the corner. But according to Disney officials, it seems to be an entirely different story behind the scenes.
California Governor Gavin Newsom promised nearly a month ago that discussions regarding theme park reopening guidelines were “forthcoming,” followed by comments made a couple weeks later on September 16th that an announcement related to theme parks was coming “soon.”

According to Orange County Register, officials at the Disneyland Resort have yet to see the fruits of this promise. Recently, the California Attractions and Park Association (CAPA) also expressed similar frustrations, noting that the Governor’s remarks about “forthcoming” discussions and guidance had yet to take place.

Disneyland President Ken Potrock met today with the Southern California News Group editorial board, where he stressed that “It is the time to open responsibly,” which echos the remarks made by Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products. In a press conference this week, D’Amaro called specifically on California state government to produce those theme park industry guidelines.

Without those industry guidelines from the state government, Potrock stated that the resort is “in limbo.” In California, in order for any industry to move forward with reopening plans, guidelines must be released by the state that addresses how business can reopen and operate safely.

Many industries have received such guidelines, including restaurants, schools, salons, movie theaters, zoos, and aquariums. Theme parks, however, have yet to receive guidance on reopening protocol, and until they do, they cannot reopen.

Potrock stated today that Disney has “made many, many, many recommendations as to what those protocols should be. We’ve offered to help with guidance so that we can get to a place that would be reasonable for us to open. Unfortunately we haven’t received that guidance.”

Disneyland’s extended closure has certainly been felt beyond the resort, as the city of Anaheim where Disneyland resides currently faces a $100 million deficit. Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu has called on the resort to reopen; not just for Disney’s sake, but for the “hundreds of small businesses” and “tens of thousands of jobs” in Anaheim surrounding Disney.

Meanwhile, Governor Newsom stated earlier this month that an “open-ended” negotiation has been taking place with the theme park industry, which includes several major parks throughout the state of California, including Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld San Diego, and Knott’s Berry Farm.

Ken Potrock commented on this specific remark in his discussion today, expressing his hope that the conversations are less like “negotiations” and instead more like “collaborations” between the state government and the theme park industry.

Currently, Orange County is in the “red” level of reopening, which allows for certain facets of businesses to reopen, such as indoor dining and movie theaters. But without any reopening guidance, Disneyland is stuck, as Ken Potrock expressed, “in limbo.” As of this writing, Disneyland has canceled hotel reservations with arrivals through October 10.

We will continue to closely monitor news coming from the Disneyland Resort and will let you know of any updates as we see them!
How soon will you visit the Disneyland Resort once it reopens? Let us know in the comments!
Disneyland News
- Disney Announced a NEW Halloween Character Dining Experience Is Coming Soon!
- Virtual Queue Rules CONFIRMED for NEW Walt Disney Attraction
- FIRST LOOK Inside the NEW Hotel Lounge That Just Opened at Disneyland
- When Is Disney Going to Update This Long-Abandoned Ride?!
- NEWS: Disneyland Reveals Opening Date for This Classic Attraction
- Disney World Announces CHANGE for “it’s a small world” Ride
- Disney Reveals NEW Card for Visa Cardmembers
- What Is the BEST Airport for Disneyland?
- 10 Quiet Changes Disneyland Was Hoping You Wouldn’t Notice
- REVIEW: We’ll Say It — This Disneyland Cars-themed Restaurant Is Severely Underrated!
Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!

Trending Now
Why isn't Disney getting more specific about a soon-to-be-changed ride?
We asked our resident Disney adults which ride at Hollywood Studios they would rope drop...
Amazon is clearing out the Disney vault!
Amazon has Loungeflys on sale as part of Prime Day!
Get your calendars out; we know when Disney World Christmas party tickets go on sale!
Let's breakdown the major changes coming to Disney World this Fall 2025.
Let’s be real: Disney World is basically a maze of vibes, snacks, and tiny details...
We found the best Disney essentials you can get on sale on Amazon right now!
Amazon Prime Day is giving us amazing deals on Oura Ring accessories!
This big celebrity recently went to all four parks at Disney World!
Everyone say hello to Whimsy!
Let's have a chat about an Oura Ring that Disney Adults just can’t seem to...
Amazon Prime Day is here with some HUGE deals on Disney souvenirs.
We're sharing our absolute favorite Disney finds that are on sale right now!
EVERYWHERE Disney World refillable mugs are available.
Have you seen Disney Visa's newest Disneyland 70th card design?
EPCOT's latest ride reopening could prove chaotic for land hopping.
Disney's Boardwalk Villas got a scathing review recently that could indicate some issues with a...
If you are flying home from Disney World with these souvenirs, be extra kind to...
Don't miss out on this brand new Disney World hotel discount during one of the...