Disneyland Could Reopen in Late April, According to CEO

Today was The Walt Disney Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders and there have been some big announcements.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, CEO Bob Chapek said that he hopes Disneyland will open in late April. This is amazing news for the 10,000 furloughed cast members who could be brought back to work.

Here’s the article from The Hollywood Reporter:

“About 10,000 furloughed park employees will be recalled.

Disneyland is anticipated to reopen in late April, Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Chapek said Tuesday. Chapek added that about 10,000 furloughed park employees would be recalled.

On March 5, California Gov. Gavin Newsom paved the way for Disneyland to open its gates to visitors for the first time in a year. Beginning April 1, the state plans to allow theme parks in counties that have a seven-day average of 4 to 7 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 — labeled as the red tier — to reopen with 20 percent capacity and in-state visitors only.

Orange County, where Disneyland is located, is in the more restrictive purple tier, meaning that it has a COVID-19 case rate of greater than 7 per 100,000. “Disney has gone to great lengths to be ready for a safe and responsible reopening,” Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu told The Hollywood Reporter. “Everyone should feel comfortable and confident about coming back.”

Union Workers United Local 50, which reps food and beverage workers at the Anaheim park, told employees March 5 to be ready for recall as the resort “may open sooner than expected” if the park moves into the red tier. Disneyland’s Toy Story Parking Area is now in use as a vaccination site.

The trade group California Attractions and Parks Association, which pushed Newsom on a reopening plan, praised the state’s guidance. CAPA exec director Erin Guerrero added, “We appreciate the administration’s willingness to work with the state’s theme parks on the finer details of the plan so parks can responsibly reopen soon, putting people safely back to work and reinvigorating local economies.”

Shuttered for nearly a year, Disneyland officials had been the most vocal about allowing the beloved theme park to reopen with new health and safety measures in place. The Downtown Disney shopping and dining district has been open since last summer. And Disney recently announced that California Adventure would be expanded into the open area for additional shopping and dining.”