What does Disneyland look like after 412 days closed? Take a look at joyous reopening
On March, 14, 2020, Disneyland shut its doors to guests as the coronavirus began to spread through the U.S.
The closure was originally planned to last through the end of the month. But as COVID-19 devastated the country, the park stayed closed for 412 days.
On Friday, Disneyland finally reopened to California residents. And judging from videos online, fans couldn’t be more excited to get back to a place they consider like home.
“Favorite sights and familiar sounds have returned, from the smiling face of Mickey Mouse on the Pixar Pal-A-Round to the welcoming whistle of the Disneyland Railroad. Beloved characters from favorite Disney stories are here to entertain and delight in new ways and sometimes in unexpected places,” Disney said in a Friday news release. “And those much-missed treats – DOLE Whip, Corn Dogs, not to mention churros – are also back to satisfy cravings.”
Only California residents can currently visit the park with limited capacity and additional safety measures. Parkgoers need a reservation and a valid ticket to enter the park, and reservations are limited. Some people waited hours to get a ticket to visit Disneyland.
Fans aren’t used to Disneyland shutting down. The theme park typically stays open year-round, including on Thanksgiving and Christmas, McClatchy News reported.
Disneyland had only closed a handful of times before, including in 1963 on a national day of mourning for President John F. Kennedy; in 1994 after the Northridge earthquake; and on Sept. 11, 2001. It has also closed due to extreme weather from time to time.
Here’s what the park looks like on the first day of a long-awaited reopening:
Welcome back! Catch a glimpse inside the @Disneyland Resort to discover #MagicIsHere: https://t.co/9rZmcNYsqE pic.twitter.com/nZzQKOUP9c
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) April 30, 2021
I’m so happy right now! Disneyland is back! #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/l2pK7Xwb5z
— David Vaughn (@DavidVaughn) April 30, 2021
Seeing the Castle again in #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/Bftdeiz4ud
— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) April 30, 2021
Disneyland is now open once again pic.twitter.com/NKPX5Yq0mK
— Disneyland News Today (@dlnt) April 30, 2021
Back home pic.twitter.com/AuF723NffW
— Disneyland News Today (@dlnt) April 30, 2021
Disneyland Resort is officially open, and everybody is honking their horns in celebration! pic.twitter.com/kxxqf2tdZA
— carlye wisel hosts Very Amusing! (@carlyewisel) April 30, 2021
The countdown & bringing people in #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/IEGFzcwIxF
— Parks And Cons (@ParksAndCons) April 30, 2021
These #Disney fans will be the first in line for the grand reopening of #Disneyland and #CaliforniaAdventure ! Gates won’t open til 8am, but they wanted to wait on the esplanade between parks to be the first in!! #Disney Were live all morning on @ABC30 pic.twitter.com/AQ3thgmHoJ
— Vanessa Vasconcelos (@VanessaABC30) April 30, 2021
CMs line all of Main Street to welcome back guests #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/ufvFlhfgip
— Parks And Cons (@ParksAndCons) April 30, 2021
Disneyland is open! #disneyland #disney #disneylife #disneyparks #mickeymouse #disneyphoto #disneylandresort #anaheim pic.twitter.com/bDjSiu4yKF
— Jeff Gritchen (@jeffgritchen) April 30, 2021
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