While not much has changed on the Anaheim, California front, this is what we know:
Governor Newsom's administration released guidelines for all theme parks on Tuesday, October 20th as a part of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Under these guidelines, larger theme parks need to achieve a yellow tier or the minimal risk level( . Currently, most of California's counties with major theme parks fall into the red tier or second-most restrictive level( . Los Angeles County, which houses Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain, is in the purple tier, the most restrictive level( .
Other guidelines include: When reopened, the larger parks will have to operate at 25% capacity and only with reservation from local populations.
To see more information and the park leaders' responses, check out this blog.
Erin Guerrero, executive director of California Attractions and Parks Association announced on Wednesday, October 23rd that some of the parks are considering taking legal action against the state, believing the guidelines to be unfair and a plot to keep parks closed for the foreseeable future.
The California Attractions and Parks Association is a Sacramento-based organization that represents most of the big theme parks in California, including Disneyland, Universal Studios, Magic Mountain, SeaWorld and Legoland.
Currently, no theme parks are able to open under these guidelines. It could be weeks, months or even over a year before the parks can reach these requirements.
Under the best case scenario, laid out by Orange County Health Care Agency director Clayton Chau, Orange County can move down to the yellow/minimal tier by November 24th, allowing Disneyland to open for Thanksgiving. However, this is excessively hopeful and not necessarily possible at this point. An additional three weeks would put them opening the week before Christmas; an additional five weeks would put them opening just before New Year's Eve. Chau believes that the county will not achieve the yellow tier until summer of 2021.
Universal Studios and Magic Mountain are looking at even more time than that as they are in the highest level of restriction: the purple tier.
Announced shortly after, Disney California Adventure is partially reopening by extending the Downtown Disney District onto Buena Vista Street.
This was proceeded by the opening of the Backlot Premiere Shop at Stage 17. Accessed from Downtown Disney, it allows more capacity for shopping, offering some of the more popular items. WonderGround Gallery has been repurposed into the Star Wars Trading Post to sell exclusive Galaxy's Edge merchandise. ESPN Zone has been repurposed into reservation-only shopping for limited-edition Disneyland collectibles.
Buena Vista attractions are only shopping and dining options. Shopping includes such locations as Elias & Co., Julius Katz & Sons, and Kingswell Camera Shop. Dining includes such locations as Carthay Circle Lounge, Smokejumpers Grill, and Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe. There is also vending carts for snacking items like popcorn, churros, ice cream and other treats. For more detail, see here.
California Health and Human Services secretary Mark Ghaley laid out the 7 big concerns with reopening the large theme parks at this time.
The random large-scale mixing of households will be difficult to control and track who is in contact with whom, with or without a mask. Disney's rebuttal was that with reservations and attendance caps will allow them to control capacity, and the parades, fireworks and other shows will be suspended until further notice.
There is a concern about social distancing, from standing in line for food to waiting for a restroom. Disney's rebuttal was that there have been many social distance markers set out, and the advent of virtual queuing for rides, as well as mobile ordering at food stands.
A theme park is a high-touch environment -- from doorknobs to trash cans, queue railing to ride restraints. Disney's rebuttal is that they have "clean teams" charged with near-constant sanitizing of high-contact areas, as well as the advent of hand washing stations at every possible location and contact-less transactions to further discourage touch points.
Many larger parks have a number of indoor attractions. Most parks have offered to close their indoor attractions and Disney has implemented virtual queues to reduce line capacity. Live stage shows are not expected to return until further notice.
State officials want to discourage out of state and international travel. The parks say that they rely on local visitors to keep the park open, and while Disney normally attracts guests from all over the world, Southern California doesn't expect much, if any, travel due to the pandemic.
Travelers tend to come to stay for multiple days or a week surrounding the theme park. This can promote mixing and congregating both in the park and in surrounding areas. Visitors are going to make reservations so the theme parks and hotels will be able to control the length of the visitors' stay.
Theme parks will have little to no control on the businesses outside their gates and officials are concerned about the potential for outbreaks. However, that is up to city, county and state officials to enforce per the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, as most of these businesses have been cleared to open.
Finally, there is an argument for the partial reopening of parks. We have seen success in the Food and Beer/Wine Events at Knott's Berry Farm. Legoland California and SeaWorld San Diego have partially reopened parts of their respective parks.
The key is to show the state that you can operate safely. Enforce mask rules. Require temperature checks. Use official apps and agree to contact tracing through them.
What can you do? Stay home if you have COVID symptoms. Don't force the staff to enforce the rules; just follow the rules! Keep your mask on, socially distance, don't crowd other people.
This will get theme park employees back to business, money back into the economy and gives theme park fans a chance to show they are committed to returning to the parks in a safe manner.
Comments