Disneyland and the state of California remain at a standstill in regard to reopening during the pandemic after almost a year, and neither seems set to budge, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Context
Disneyland closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disney Parks considered opening the park in July 2020 for the park’s 65th anniversary, however California did not issue guidelines for theme park reopenings, so it stayed closed.
- California eventually announced its plan for reopening theme parks in the state but it didn’t change anything for Disneyland because the park didn’t meet those guidelines (they’re based on case counts from the counties where the theme parks are located). Experts suggested Disneyland would have a hard time meeting the requirements before 2021.
What is the park like right now?
Disneyland employees have been speaking out on what it is like to work at the park now and how not working at the park has impacted California workers.
Mike Morrison, the team leader of the maintenance crew for the attractions in California Adventure, told The Hollywood Reporter that it’s weird working in the park right now.
- “The days feel longer,” he said. “You have this eerie sense of silence as you’re walking through. And occasionally that silence is broken by the chirping of birds, something from the outside world that you would never typically notice.”
Chris Duarte, the union president for Workers United Local 50, which represents food and beverage employees at Disneyland, told The Hollywood Reporter that the empty park has created a struggle for those who would normally be working there.
- In the meantime, Disneyland employees are hurting. “We know members are experiencing economic stress because of the pandemic,” he said. “Struggling to pay rent, mortgages and other bills is something we hear in online chatter or directly when people contact us looking for assistance options. We’ve heard of some individuals contemplating leaving California because of the stress but are not aware of anyone pulling that trigger.”
What’s next?
Disneyland officials said in February that the California theme park will have a small reopening in March for a limited-capacity event called “A Touch of Disney.”
- “On March 18, get ready to be delighted with beloved flavors of the Disneyland Resort at the upcoming food and retail experience, ‘A Touch of Disney!’” Disney said on Twitter,
A Disneyland spokesperson told me in an email: “No word yet on the parks reopening, as still going by state guidelines of course.”