Disneyland Resort closed on March 14, 2020 in response to the global health crisis. The unprecedented closure lasted over one year. But, as of April 30, 2021, the Disneyland theme parks — Disneyland and Disney California Adventure — are REOPEN to guests!

Here we are sharing everything you need to know about this historic reopening of Disneyland Resort — The Happiest Place on Earth!

PLEASE NOTE: One year after the reopening of Disneyland Resort — on April 30, 2021 — this page was retired. We are keeping the information below as a history of the first year of the reopening of Disneyland Resort after its unprecedented closure from March 14, 2020 through April 30, 2021. 

“To all who come to this happy place: Welcome.” — Walt Disney

We were able to attend a preview ahead of the official reopening — and were back again on REOPENING DAY — and you can see our experience here!

Click here to step INSIDE Disneyland as the parks are NOW REOPEN!

Reopening Guidelines

Reopening Capacity

The reopening of Disneyland Resort followed guidelines as set by the state of California. During the initial reopening, only California residents were permitted to attend the theme parks.

However, Disneyland opened to out-of-state guests on June 15, 2021. Visitors are not required to be vaccinated, but the State of California does recommend vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

Health and Safety Measures

Disneyland Resort implemented many of the health and safety measures that were put into place during the reopening of the Downtown Disney District. These included — but were not limited to — heightened cleaning and sanitation measures, physical distancing measures, and the required wearing of face masks.

As of April 30, 2022, the Disneyland face mask policy, as posted on the Disneyland website, was as follows:

“The State of California strongly recommends that all Guests be fully vaccinated or obtain a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the Disneyland Resort. It is strongly recommended that Guests wear face coverings when indoors and in enclosed transportation. Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and older), regardless of vaccination status, in certain indoor health settings, such as in First Aid. Face coverings are optional for Guests in outdoor areas.”

Temperature checks were previously required upon entry; however, these ended on June 15th.

Park Pass Reservations and Tickets

Similar to the procedures in use for the Walt Disney World theme parks, ALL Disneyland Resort guests are required to obtain an advance reservation for park entry with the Theme Park Reservation System. Guests ages 3 and up need valid admission in addition to that Park Pass reservation.

The use of the reservation system helps to monitor entry since theme park capacity is significantly limited to comply with governmental requirements and promote physical distancing. These reservations MUST be made in advance.

Find out everything you need to know about making Theme Park Reservations here!

Please Note: guests with valid theme park admission who are staying at the reopened Disneyland Resort hotels also need to book theme park reservations in advance. So, a hotel stay does NOT guarantee a park reservation.

This reservation system launched on April 12th for guests with existing tickets, and ticket sales for eligible guests resumed on April 15th! Upon purchasing valid tickets, guests are immediately able to make park reservations, too.

For guests who NEED TO PURCHASE A TICKET:

If you need to purchase a ticket and make a theme park reservation together, start by going to the Disneyland Park Reservation website and hit “Select Ticket”. You’ll then select the days, number of tickets you need, and ticket type as usual when buying tickets.

After that, you’ll make your theme park reservation by choosing the date and park. Park hoppers will want to choose the park they will start their day in. To finish, you’ll review your choices and hit purchase! Disney has also laid out instructions for how to use this new perk online.

For guests who HAVE ALREADY PURCHASED A VALID TICKET:

If you have already purchased a ticket, but haven’t made reservations yet, you can also head to the Disneyland Park Reservation website and hit “Make Park Reservation” after logging in to your account. You’ll then create a reservation using the steps below.

As for the tickets themselves, in October 2021, the Resort has moved from a 5-tier demand pricing system for one-day tickets to a 6-tier system. These tiers allow Disneyland to charge less for entry on slower days, and more on busier days.

For example, 1-day, 1-park tickets in Tier 1 are $104. The times of year with the highest demand are considered Tier 6 and will cost $164 for a 1-day, 1-park ticket. A 1-day Park Hopper in tier 6 will be $224. Multi-day tickets are also available. 

Find more details regarding Tiered Tickets and current prices here!

Yes, Park Hopping has returned, and begins at 1PM each day! Park hours are currently scheduled for 9AM-7PM. Guests will need to make a Park Pass reservation for your first park of the day.

The Theme Park Experience

Disney Characters

Disney shared that when the California theme parks initially reopened, “characters from dozens of favorite Disney and Pixar stories will entertain and delight guests across both parks,” and we certainly found that to be the case!

Characters make surprise appearances along Main Street, U.S.A. and Pixar Pier, and there were also other playful character interactions.

But guess what?!? Traditional face-to-face character meet-and-greets have started to return to Disneyland!

The traditional meet-and-greets are coming back in phases throughout spring and early summer, so not all locations are available immediately. But the phased return of traditional meet-and-greets at some spots officially started on April 18, 2022. Guests are now able to go up to the characters and give them hugs, and characters are able to sign autographs! (It is largely be a return to “normal” in terms of what many guests were used to prior to the pandemic.)

Click HERE to read more about the return of classic Character Meet-and-Greets!

Entertainment — Parades and Fireworks

As previously announced, “experiences that draw large group gatherings,” such as parades were temporarily suspended upon the initial reopening of the parks.

However, fireworks, which were previously suspended, came BACK to Disneyland Park as of early July 2021!

Mickey’s Mix Magic has returned with its projections, lasers, and (of course) fireworks above Sleeping Beauty Castle! And Disneyland Forever returned in April 2022, to be seen on weekends!

The Main Street Electrical Parade returned — just in time to celebrate its 50th Anniversary — in April 2022!

And, in Disney California Adventure, the World of Color nighttime spectacular made its return on April 22, 2022, as well!

In more GREAT entertainment news… the Dapper Dans made their return to Disneyland on September 3, 2021!

The Dapper Dans are back on Main Street, U.S.A., joining already returned entertainment like the Bootstrappers, Pearly Band, Five & Dime, and the Coke Corner piano player.

Theme Park Attractions

The following attractions have now reopened in the Disneyland Resort theme parks:

Disneyland:

• Alice in Wonderland
• Astro Orbitor
• Autopia
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Casey Jr. Circus Train
• Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
• Disneyland Monorail
• Disneyland Railroad
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Fantasy Faire
• Gadget’s Go Coaster
• Haunted Mansion
• Indiana Jones Adventure 
• “it’s a small world”
• Jungle Cruise
• King Arthur Carrousel
• Mad Tea Party
• Main Street Cinema
• Main Street Vehicles
• Mark Twain Riverboat
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon
• Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
• Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• Storybook Land Canal Boats
• Tarzan’s Treehouse
• Tom Sawyer Island
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Disney California Adventure:

• Animation Academy
• Disney Junior Dance Party
• Games of Pixar Pier
• Golden Zephyr
• Goofy’s Sky School
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Incredicoaster
• Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
• Jessie’s Critter Carousel
• Jumpin’ Jellyfish
• Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
• Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
• Pixar Pal-A-Round – Non-Swinging
• Pixar Pal-A-Round – Swinging
• Radiator Springs Racers
• Silly Symphony Swings
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Sorcerer’s Workshop
• The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Toy Story Midway Mania!
• Turtle Talk with Crush
• WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure

Attraction lines initially had new health and safety measures in place. As per California’s theme park reopening guidelines, all queues for attractions and rides were required to be outdoors. Social distancing was enforced, and plexiglass was installed to ensure that guests were properly spaced.

Additionally, the guidelines noted that guests were prohibited from eating and drinking while waiting in a ride queue, and guests spotted distancing markers indicating 6 feet distances between parties.

And, though it’s not technically an attraction, many guests will be glad to know that Parking Trams returned on February 23, 2022 to transport guests to and from the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals garages.

Theme Park Restaurants

If you’re planning on eating while you’re in the parks, reservations for select locations opened on April 22nd, with limited capacity. You are able to book your dining reservations for Table Service locations 60 days in advance. For Quick Service restaurants, you can utilize Mobile Order in the parks to place your order and pay ahead.

The following restaurants are now reopen in the Disneyland Resort theme parks:

Disneyland

• Alien Pizza Planet
• River Belle Terrace
• Plaza Inn 
• Bengal Barbecue
• Café Orleans
• Carnation Cafe
• Churros
• Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
• Edelweiss Snacks 
• French Market Restaurant
• Galactic Grill
• Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor
• The Golden Horseshoe
• Harbour Galley
• Hungry Bear Restaurant 
• Ice Cream Carts
• Jolly Holiday Bakery Café
• Kat Saka’s Kettle
• Little Red Wagon
• Market House
• Maurice’s Treats 
• Milk Stand
• Mint Julep Bar
• Oga’s Cantina
• Popcorn
• Rancho del Zocalo
• Red Rose Taverne
• Refreshment Corner 
• Ronto Roasters
• Ship to Shore Marketplace
• Stage Door Café
• Tiki Juice Bar
• The Tropical Hideaway

Disney California Adventure

• Lamplight Lounge
• Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining
• Carthay Circle Restaurant
• Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats
• Angry Dogs
• Award Wieners
• Bayside Brews
• Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta
• Churros
• Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream 
• Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
• Corn Dog Castle
• Cozy Cone Motel (Churros, Ice Cream, Cone-coctions, and Popcone)
• Cappuccino Cart
• Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe
• Flo’s V8 Cafe
• Ghirardelli® Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
• Hollywood Lounge
• Ice Cream Carts
• Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums 
• Lucky Fortune Cookery
• Mendocino Terrace
• Pacific Wharf Cafe
• Pacific Wharf Distribution Co.
• Popcorn
• Poultry Palace
• Pym Tasting Lab
• Pym Test Kitchen
• Rita’s Baja Blenders
• Schmoozies! 
• Señor Buzz Churros
• Shawarma Palace
• Smokejumpers Grill
• Sonoma Terrace
• Studio Catering Co.
• Terran Treats
• Wine Country Trattoria

Disneyland Resort Hotels

Disneyland’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa reopened on April 29th, 2021, with limited capacity. You can learn more about the booking process for room reservations here. 

Find our Complete Guide to Disneyland’s Grand Californian Hotel Reopening here!

Hearthstone Lounge, GCH Craftsman Bar, and GCH Craftsman Grill reopened along with the hotel as well.

Napa Rose and Storytellers Cafe reopened on May 28th, 2021! Both restaurants are available to guests staying at the Grand Californian and non-hotel guests as well. 

And Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures returned to Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa on August 26th!

You can see more about the newly reopened and modified experience here!

Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel reopened on June 15, 2021 with limited capacity!

The Disneyland Hotel reopened on July 2, 2021! 

Three restaurants reopened along with the hotel: Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill, and The Coffee House. Goofy’s Kitchen reopened on August 18th, although characters were not present during the initial reopening.

A number of changes have been made to the guest rooms and other areas of the Disneyland Hotel.

You can take a FULL ROOM TOUR here!

“The Magic is Back” Merchandise

Guests attending the reopening of Disneyland Resort had access to a new line of merchandise just for the VERY special occasion: “The Magic is Back” merchandise!

See ALL of “The Magic is Back” line here!

We are keeping this page active to remember the Historic Reopening of Disneyland Resort!