FILE – In this March 16, 2020, file photo, a visitor to the Disneyland Resort takes a picture through a locked gate at the entrance to Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure park will reopen to visitors on Friday, April 30, 2021.
Guests ride the Splash Mountain attraction at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Mickey Mouse keeps social distance while interacting with guests at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Visitors walk along the Main Street USA at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Employees wave at guests at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Employee Diane, who only gave her first name, wipes her tears after a flag raising ceremony at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Employees welcome guests at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Disney chairman Bob Iger, center, poses for photos with employees at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
A worker cleans the window of a decorative building at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Guests walk along Main Street USA at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Employees wave as guests walk along Main Street USA at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Guests take pictures at Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Guests walk down Main Street USA at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
FILE – In this Monday, March 16, 2020, file photo a lock hangs on the center gate between the turnstiles at the entrance to Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif, as Disneyland Resort shut down due to the new coronavirus outbreak. On Friday, April 30, 2021, Disneyland, California’s world-famous theme park, will reopen to visitors after an unprecedented 13-month closure in what tourism officials hope is a sign of the state’s rebound from the depths of the pandemic.
Employees take a photo on Main Street before the gates open at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Employees hold a meeting before the gates open at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Guests ride the Dumbo ride at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Guests walk down Main Street USA at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Employee Norali (last names not given), sheds a tear as they prepare to open the gates at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
Guests walk down Main Street USA at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
A family takes a photo in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
FILE – In this March 9, 2021, file photo, a woman with a face mask waits to cross the street outside Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure park will reopen to visitors on Friday, April 30, 2021.
FILE – In this March 13, 2020, file photo, Katherine Quezada shows off her engagement ring as she takes a selfie with her new fiance, Fernando Carranza, in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle the during the last day before Disneyland closes because of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, in Anaheim, Calif. Carranza proposed to Quezada in front of the castle earlier that day. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure park will reopen to visitors on Friday, April 30, 2021.
FILE – In this March 13, 2019, file photo, a young visitor to Downtown Disney uses a hand-sanitizer station during the day last before Disneyland closed because of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, in Anaheim, Calif. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure park will reopen to visitors on Friday, April 30, 2021.
Guests walk along the Main Street USA at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state’s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Disneyland reopened to excited visitors Friday, marking a dramatic turnaround in a state that was so overwhelmed with coronavirus cases just four months ago that patients were being treated in gymnasiums and outdoor tents.
Visitors cheered and screamed with happiness as California’s world-famous theme park unlocked its gates after an unprecedented 13-month closure. Many had been gathered outside since the previous night.
“Not having it for over a year was really kind of hard for us, and so it’s just really nice to be able to come back,” said Jaki Montanez, 27, who drove 340 miles (547 kilometers) from Modesto and wore sequined Minnie Mouse ears for the occasion.
The day began with Disney officials and park employees wearing face masks gathered in the park’s town square for the morning flag-raising ceremony. Disney CEO Bob Chapek thanked the color guard for raising the flag daily throughout the 412-day closure and asked employees to “bring the magic back” for returning visitors.
“We’re not just another theme park. We’re something special, and we’re something special because of all of you, because you bring magic to the world,” he said.
For now, Disneyland is allowing only in-state visitors and operating at limited capacity. It has hand sanitizing stations and signs reminding guests to keep their distance and wear masks. Benches are marked as “designated dining areas” where visitors can remove face masks to eat.
Originally Appeared On: https://nonpareilonline.com/business/disneyland-reopens-as-california-emerges-from-virus-depths/article_d0cf11c5-a4a9-5fb8-aeb9-daf9ed1a92f8.html