NEWS: Disneyland Adopts Additional Health and Safety Measures Recommended by Local Health Agency

Although Disney executives, legislators, and others have called on California’s Governor Newsom to open up the theme parks, finalized reopening guidelines have not yet been issued.

Regardless, Disneyland appears to be hard at work preparing the parks for when they’ll be allowed to reopen.

We’ve seen various health and safety reminders installed outside of and within Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. We’ve also seen a potential walking path designated and some reservation signs around the Resort, as well as social distancing markers leading to the Disneyland gates.

According to The Orange County Register, Disneyland has also adopted some more health and safety recommendations made by the Orange County Health Care Agency. The Agency toured Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park last week to take a look at the safety measures that are already in place. After the tour, the Orange County Health Care Agency Director and Communicable Disease Control Division Medical Director made specific recommendations of additional measures for Disneyland to adopt.

Some of the recommendations that Disneyland has adopted are the following:

• Adding Spanish language signs with health and safety protocol information;
• Placing ground markings outside restrooms to help minimize cross traffic; and
• Installing additional hand sanitizing stations at attractions.

According to the Orange County Health Care Agency Director, the Agency has been “engaged with Disney for the reopening of their theme parks” and was involved in conversations with Disney regarding the reopening plans for Downtown Disney. Disney officials have said that they “appreciate the visits and look forward to working closely with [the Orange County Health Care Agency]. ”

The OCR reports that “Disneyland plans to install thousands of coronavirus health and safety measures to prepare for the eventual reopening of the Anaheim theme park resort once California issues guidelines for the state’s major tourist destinations to return to full operation.”

The situation in California is still very much developing. Although some California officials have noted that the guidelines are “very close,” the state has said they cannot promise a specific date for when Disneyland may expect the reopening guidelines. So, it seems Disneyland Resort will continue to be “in limbo.”

Initial reports indicated that the guidelines would only allow theme parks to reopen when they reached the lowest tier, but local health officials have recommended that Disneyland be allowed to reopen once they are in Tier 3 — the Orange Tier.  The Orange County Health Care Agency has worked with various California agencies on the reopening guidelines and the Agency Director notes that he has advocated for theme parks to be reopened in Tier 3. Orange County, where Disneyland is located, is still in the “Substantial” or red Tier.

Currently, with no official reopening guidelines issued and no official reopening date set, Disneyland is cancelling all hotel reservations through October 24th. We’ll keep monitoring this situation and let you know if we spot any updates.

Do you have a trip planned to Disneyland for this year? Let us know in the comments!

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