NEWS: Disneyland Resort Theme Parks Remain Closed as Orange County Stays in the “Substantial” Tier

By Kelly Oliveros Leave a Comment

Although the Disneyland Resort Backlot Premiere Shop has opened and Buena Vista Street is set to reopen soon for shopping and dining, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park currently remain closed under California’s theme park reopening guidelines.

Red Car Trolley

Today, we received an update as to whether there has been any change in the tier status of Orange County, where Disneyland Resort is located, which would move the parks closer to an eventual reopening.

During today’s press conference, Dr. Mark Ghaly, the current secretary of California’s Health and Human Services, provided an update as to California’s COVID-19 positivity rate. Specifically, Dr. Ghaly noted that California’s 14-day positivity rate has gone up from 2.6% on October 20th to 3.3% on November 4th. COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU hospitalizations have also increased over the last 14 days.

Screenshot from Dr. Ghaly Press Conference

Dr. Ghaly shared that California’s 7-day average COVID-19 case numbers is now 4,471.

Screenshot from Dr. Ghaly Press Conference

After discussing a number of other issues, Dr. Ghaly provided an update as to the movement of certain counties through California’s risk tiers. While two counties (Shasta and Plumas) will actually be moving back to higher risk tier levels, one county (Colusa) will be moving forward to a lower risk tier.

Screenshot from Dr. Ghaly Press Conference

Disneyland Resort is located in Orange County. No change was announced today in terms of Orange County’s tier status. When we checked California’s website regarding COVID-19 we confirmed that Orange County is still in the red or “substantial” tier where some non-essential indoor business operations are closed, and theme parks are closed as well.

Screenshot from covid19.ca.gov

In order for Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park to reopen, Orange County must move from the red tier to the “minimal” or yellow tier. It is unclear how long it will take the county to get to that tier status, and some have even indicated that Disneyland may not be able to reopen until the summer of 2021. Some California mayors have called on Governor Newsom to adjust the guidelines and allow large theme parks to reopen under the orange or “moderate” tier, but we have not yet seen any change announced as to that issue.

Metrics needed for California counties to advance to reopening tiers. Source: covid19.ca.gov

Despite many theme parks reopening around the world, Governor Newsom has shared his thoughts as to why large theme parks in California cannot yet reopen. We’ll definitely keep an eye out for more updates regarding Orange County’s tier status and other news related to Disneyland. Be sure to come back for more updates.