NOT THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH: California theme park reopening guidelines slammed

Disneyland and big theme parks across California are not happy. California issued a long awaited proposal around the reopening of theme parks, and while small and medium-sized parks can reopen at 25 percent capacity, with advance reservations required, large parks like Disneyland, Universal Studios and Six Flags will stay closed.

The larger theme parks will only be permitted to reopen in counties that have reached the least-restrictive, or yellow, fourth tier of the state’s reopening framework, and even then, capacity will be limited to 25%.

Orange County, home to the Disneyland, is currently in the second, or red, tier of that matrix. Los Angeles County, home to Universal Studios, is in the most-restrictive, or purple tier of the state’s framework.

“Personally, I think that we can look forward to a yellow tier by next summer, hopefully. Hopefully,” said Dr. Clayton Chau, director of the Orange County Health Care Agency.

The industry didn’t take long to criticize the ‘arbitrary’ guidelines.

“Together with our labor unions we want to get people back to work, but these state guidelines will keep us shuttered for the foreseeable future, forcing thousands more people out of work,” said Disneyland President Ken Potrock.

Karen Irwin, President of Universal Studios Hollywood called the guidelines ‘shameful.’

“It ignores science, reason and the economic devastation this will bring to the thousands of our employees,” Irwin said.

The California Attractions and Parks Association also slammed the guidelines.

“To say today’s announcement on theme parks is disappointing would be a grave understatement. The Governor has not used science or data to inform his decision. Theme parks have opened and operated safely around the world for months,” it said.

Theme park reopening guidelines include:

• Smaller theme parks may resume operations in tier 3, with limited capacity at 25% or 500 people, whichever is fewer

• Ticket sales will be limited to residents of the same county as smaller theme parks

• All theme parks may resume operations in tier 4 at 25% capacity

• All theme parks must implement a reservation system and screen guests for symptoms in advance. Face coverings are also mandatory throughout the park, except while eating or drinking

• For all theme parks, capacity for indoor dining and drinking establishments within the park must be limited to 25%

“I hope one recognizes our stubbornness on a health-first, data-driven decision making process is done with our eyes wide open on what’s happening now around the world,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday. “… We have to maintain that vigilance so we can avoid any further increase in transmission.”