We’ve been eagerly awaiting any update about a possible reopening of the theme parks at Disneyland Resort.

Red Car Trolley behind the Gates at Disney California Adventure Park

Under the current California theme park reopening guidelines, Orange County — where Disneyland is located — must reach the lowest (yellow) tier in California’s system. Most recently, the county had remained in the red (3rd) tier, but today that has changed.

During a press conference held today, California’s Governor Newsom noted that the state is in the midst of their fastest increase yet in terms of COVID-19 cases.

Screenshot from Today’s Press Conference

So, Governor Newsom noted that they are “now moving backwards, not forwards” and that the state will be pulling an “emergency brake,” which will affect how counties move through the tiers.

Screenshot from Today’s Press Conference

Governor Newsom noted that “we have a long way to go to get to a vaccine that is widely distributed,” but Moderna & Pfizer developments is good news nonetheless.

Due to the latest updates with the coronavirus in the state of California, several counties will be moving back in terms of their tier level.

Screenshot from Today’s Press Conference

Included in those counties moving back in terms of their tier status is Orange County — where Disneyland Resort is located. Although Orange County was previously in the Red (substantial) tier, it has now moved back to the highest tier, also known as Purple or Widespread.

Source: covid19.ca.gov

So, what does this mean for Disneyland Resort? Under the Purple tier, indoor dining is not allowed. Instead, dining must be limited to outdoor dining with modifications. Restaurants can also open for take-out and delivery with modifications as well. Indoor dining had previously resumed at Disneyland Resort in Downtown Disney District, but that will have to stop under these stricter restrictions in the Purple tier.

Source: covid19.ca.gov

In terms of retailers, they can open with modifications, including a 25% maximum capacity limit. This is a reduction from the 50% capacity limit that is in place in the red tier. So, that means capacity at the Downtown Disney stores will need to be maintained at no more than 25%, and if Disneyland had increased them to 50% when they were in the red tier, then that will need to be reduced.

Source: covid19.ca.gov

Shopping malls can also open indoors with modifications, including a maximum of 25% capacity, but common areas and food courts must remain closed. Under the Red tier, indoor capacity was limited to 50% and food courts had to have reduced capacity. So again, the restrictions in the Purple tier are just a bit more stringent.

Source: covid19.ca.gov

Most importantly, for Disneyland, it means that it will have a bit further to go before its theme parks can reopen. As it will now have to go from the highest tier to the lowest, rather than from the 2nd highest tier to the lowest.

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

This week, Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park is set to reopen as an “expansion” of Downtown Disney. While these new restrictions will affect capacity and indoor dining at this spot, we have not seen anything indicating that Buena Vista Street would not be able to or will not be reopening. We will definitely keep you updated as we learn more.

Click here to see some of the food coming to Buena Vista Street when it reopens.