The magic returns to Disneyland Resort as it reopens after yearlong closure

Today, the magic returned to Disneyland Resort as it finally reopened to guests after more than a year of closure due to the pandemic.

disneyland resort

After hosting various cast member previews, both parks officially reopened to California residents today, Friday, April 30.

disneyland resort

Prior to the gates of Disneyland park opening this morning, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company Bob Chapek took part in the daily ceremony to raise the American flag and shared a few remarks to cast members as they prepared for the big day.

Guests will be able to experience new magic on classic attractions, in addition to the more modern experiences in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Cars Land, and Pixar Pier. The newly-reimagined Snow White’s Enchanted Wish is opening to guests for the first time, the Haunted Mansion has been enhanced with new ghostly surprises, and King Arthur’s Carrousel has been refurbished.

The hotels at the Disneyland Resort are still in a phased reopening stage. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa reopened on April 29 with limited capacity; Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa plan to reopen on May 2. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel will reopen at a later date.

Disneyland Reopening Day - Welcome Back! | Disney Parks

As part of the reopening plan, operational changes are in place at the theme parks and hotel based on guidance from health authorities and experiences from Disney Parks around the world to help promote physical distancing, enhanced cleanliness, and reduced contact. These measures include required face coverings for all guests ages 2 and older, temperature screenings prior to park entry, capacity limitations and cashless transactions.

Characters will make surprise appearances along Main Street, U.S.A. and Pixar Pier, popping up in unexpected ways in order to bring the magic of these encounters in a safe, physically-distant way.

At Disneyland park, guests might see Mickey and Minnie waving from the train station, or Disney Princesses appear at the Royal Theatre posing and taking selfies form a distance. At Disney California Adventure, Pixar friends might say hi from the bandshell at Pixar Pier, or guests can share a laugh with Mater and Lightning McQueen in Cars Land.

Other experiences that draw large groups — like parades and nighttime spectaculars — will return at a later date.

At several dining locations around the resort, mobile ordering on the Disneyland app is now the primary way to order meals. Dining reservations are recommended for table-service restaurants. Other helpful features include QR code menus, a mobile check-in walk-up list, and mobile check-in for dining reservations — all done through the app.

The Disneyland app will also provide guests the ability to join a virtual queue to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, check park hours, make dining reservations, and view other important updates. Cashless transactions are also available to reduce contact.

To learn more about the Disneyland Resort, visit Disneyland.com.

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