NEWS: Anaheim Officials Support Bill That May Speed Up Disneyland’s Reopening

Disneyland has yet to reopen since its closure nearly one year ago.

Disneyland

Downtown Disney and Buena Vista Street are open for shopping and dining, and a special limited-ticket event is coming to Disney California Adventure next month. Beyond these opportunities, Disneyland parks have not been able to resume normal operations due to the global health crisis. Now, Anaheim officials are pushing for Disneyland to reopen.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Anaheim City Council has voted in support of a bill that would change the reopening requirements for theme parks. Currently, California counties must be within the “minimal” COVID-19 tier to reopen, meaning there is less than a 2% positivity rate.

Disney California Adventure

Orange County, where Disneyland is located, is within the “widespread” tier, with a positivity rate greater than 8%. This new bill that the Anaheim City Council supports would allow theme parks to reopen in the “moderate” tier instead.

Mickey Print Mask

The “moderate” tier describes a county with a positivity rate between 2% and 4.9%. The city council voted 6-1 in favor of this state assembly bill. Currently, smaller theme parks are able to open within the “moderate” tier, and this new bill would allow bigger parks like Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm to do the same.

Disneyland Park Social Distancing Markers

Mayor Harry Sidhu shared, “Anything that we can do to safely reopen theme parks is critical to economic recovery for our city and region.” He believes that reopening these parks will be able to revamp the local economy.

Health and safety signage outside California Adventure

Councilman Jose Moreno who is in opposition to the bill voiced concern regarding the fact that the areas around Disneyland are currently a hotspot for the virus. Moreno expressed that the primary focus during these times should be public health.