Disneyland employees give us our first glimpse into the reopened park

Disneyland will reopen its gates to the California public beginning Friday — and we have our first look into the park.

It’s been more than a year since Disneyland allowed guests inside. The park was closed in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The park was close to reopening over the summer but California never issued guidelines for theme parks to reopen.

But California eventually issued guidelines allowing theme parks to reopen. Disneyland met the requirements to reopen in March, the Deseret News reported.

Now, Disneyland employees began to share photos of what it looks like inside the park as it is set to reopen.

“‘For the first time in forever there’ll be magic, there’ll be fun …’ After being closed for a year, the magic is finally returning to #Disneyland Resort theme parks on April 30. Our cast members eagerly await your arrival! #MagicIsHere,” Disneyland Resort said in a tweet.

For now, Disneyland will only be open to California residents. But, as I explained for the Deseret News, the park may soon allow out-of-state residents. California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” would allow out-of-state residents to visit the park.

The California Attractions and Parks Association, which represents a number of theme parks like Disneyland, said parks will likely make changes.

• “This addendum now allows fully vaccinated persons from out of state to visit or attend activities or events that were previously restricted to in-state visitors,” the CAPA said in a statement, according to the OC Register. “As vaccinations become more widespread and state guidance evolves, individual parks may update their own responsible reopening plans in accordance with state and local public health regulations.”