Disneyland’s Big Reopening: The Return to Civilization!

There’s a favorite spiel that for many years has been heard on the Jungle Cruise towards the end:

“Now for the most dangerous part of our journey, the return to civilization”.

That’s what lies ahead for Disneyland as it reopens. From the Governor’s office to Avengers Campus we share all of the crazy details that may result in Disneyland being back to normal in only a few more months. We look at the details involved in reopening Disneyland on April 30th. We’ll look at a host of reservation issues and then turn our attention to what rides and attractions are opening–and not opening when that day arrives. Avenger’s Campus has been given an opening date of June 4th, and we’ll look at what’s coming there when that moment unveils itself. There’s a lot going on at Disneyland. So keep your hand and arms inside the boat until we are safely back at the dock.

California is Back to Business as Usual?

The pandemic has dropped considerably, and that’s what Governor Newsom said could happen by June 15th if conditions continue according to a CNN post. In fact, the state of California has the lowest COVID rates according to the governor. That doesn’t mean masks will go away by then, but this does mean that Disney could raise the percentage of people coming to the parks, and that most attractions could be operating again. That means an end to the color tier system and back to a position where the state is fully reopened.

With cases trending downward, that Orange County and border counties Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego are all in the orange tier, which allows Disneyland to operate at 25% capacity.

Unique Disneyland Issues:

• Existing ticket holders can book admission on April 12th. Everyone else (including former pass holders) will wait until April 15th.
• If you can get the reservation, there is no limit to the number of days you can enjoy. But you have to get the reservation. That said, a reservation can’t include more than 10 tickets.
• Prices are the same as back in 2020.
• MaxPass cannot be obtained.
• Park hopping is possible, but you have to wait until 1:00 pm to move from one park to another. And that assumes the park is not at capacity.
• Theme park hours will be 9 am until 7 pm starting out.
• Out-of-state visitors are not permitted. Could June 15th be the date when that changes?

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will reopen on April 29th, 2021 with limited capacity. Guests can book their rooms starting April 15th 2021. Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier will reopen at later dates. Remember, that a hotel reservation does not guarantee park access.

What About Rides?

Disney has already shared what attractions will open when the parks do at the end of the month. At Disney California there are some 20 attractions that will be open like Soarin’, Incredicoaster and Radiator Springs Racers.

At Disneyland there will be some 30 attractions operating to include Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, all but one mountain (can you guess which?) and Rise of the Resistance (which will be on a virtual queue). Snow White returns, but not as Snow White’s Scary Adventures but as the newly refurbished Snow White’s Enchanted Wish.

Perhaps what’s more interesting is which ones won’t. Of course parades, fireworks and many live entertainment shows won’t be happening. But here’s the list as we see understand it:

Disney California Adventure–Not Reopening

• Red Car Trolley
• Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar
• The Bakery Tour
• Animation Academy
• Sorcerer’s Workshop
• Golden Zephyr
• The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Grizzly River Run–Under Refurbishment until May 4th)
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

Disneyland Park–Not Reopening

• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
• Disneyland Monorail
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (Return Date is to be Determined)
• Star Wars Launch Bay
• Frontierland Shootin’ Gallery
• Davey Crocket’s Explorer Canoes
• Pirate Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
• Sailing Ship Columbia
• Goofy’s Playhouse
• Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse
• Mickey’s House
• Minnie’s House
• Donald’s Boat
• Main Street Cinema
• Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
• Matterhorn Bobsleds (Return Date is to be Determined)
• Sleeping Beauty Walk Through
• Storybook Land Canal Boats
• Jungle Cruise (Return Date is to be Determined)

In the latter case, Jungle Cruise is being remodeled as we’ve shared before. It’s return date is yet to be determined

Avengers Campus on June 4th

What’s even more interesting is that starting June 4th, Avengers Campus opens, which includes:

• WEB Slingers: A Spiderman Adventures
• PYM Kitchen
• Shawarma Palace Food Cart
• Sanctum, Featuring Dr. Strange
• WEB Suppliers
• Spider-Man flying above Avengers Campus from time to time.
• Character Meet ‘n’ Greets to include
  • Iron Man
  • Captain Marvel
  • Black Panther
  • Dora Milaje
  • Black Widow
  • Ant-Man
  • The Wasp
  • Thor
  • Loki
  • The Guardians of the Galaxy
  • WEB Slingers: A Spiderman Adventures
• PYM Kitchen

• Shawarma Palace Food Cart
• Sanctum, Featuring Dr. Strange
• WEB Suppliers
• Spider-Man flying above Avengers Campus from time to time.
• Character Meet ‘n’ Greets to include
  • Iron Man
  • Captain Marvel
  • Black Panther
  • Dora Milaje
  • Black Widow
  • Ant-Man
  • The Wasp
  • Thor
  • Loki
  • The Guardians of the Galaxy

We assume that these meet ‘n’ greets will allow you to remove your mask, as has been instituted at Walt Disney World. But that hasn’t been confirmed. All this and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout which opened a few years ago. Also, Avengers Headquarters will be shown along with a quinjet which will sit on the top of the roof. The whole thing will be like the Haunted Mansion in the 1960’s, sitting there and tempting you with no guarantee of when an attraction will eventually be opened.

Other:

• Queues will largely be outside–not too big a deal for Disneyland as most of their queues have been that way all along.
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will not be reopening at this time.
• There will be surprise character moments and perhaps cavalcades.
• Blue Bayou will re-open as the second restaurant in Disneyland to allow alcohol.
• Table service restaurant reservations will begin on April 22nd.
• It will be questionable as to whether parking lot trams will be utilized. For the Taste of Disney event at Disney California Adventure, they were not used.

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And when you donate, a portion of your contribution goes to Embrace Celebration, dedicated to helping Disney Cast Members and others in this area who are unemployed during this pandemic. To learn more, visit our site to discover our offerings and various tiers. Join us!