Josh D’Amaro Says Disneyland Resort is ‘Ready to Reopen’

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A man standing in front of a lake

Credit: Josh D'Amaro on Instagram

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro said that The Walt Disney Company is “ready to reopen” Disneyland Resort as soon as the State of California allows.

D’Amaro told The Dow Report, “…we don’t have any California guidelines for opening. And as soon as a date and those guidelines are set, I can tell you we’re ready.”

Related: Disneyland Has Been Ready to Open Since July, Officials Say

Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California was originally slated to reopen on July 17, the theme park’s 65th Anniversary. However, the reopening was indefinitely delayed due to the ongoing pandemic. Disneyland Resort began a phased reopening with the reopening of Downtown Disney on July 9, but we don’t yet have a reopening date announced for the Disneyland or Disney California Adventure theme parks, or the three onsite hotels.

disneyland fireworks castle
Credit: Disney

Referring back to the initial phased reopening plan for Walt Disney’s first theme park (and for Walt Disney World Resort in Florida), D’Amaro stated that Disneyland’s reopening process was based on 5 key factors:

  1. Health & Wellness
  2. Cleaning
  3. Technology Solutions
  4. Cast Member Training & Employee Safety
  5. Working Together

In regard to health and wellness measures, D’Amaro told “The Dow Report, “Everyone that comes into our parks, they have to be wearing a mask…so we’re putting a lot of layers on health and wellness.” Disney has released face mask guidelines that exclude neck gaiters and other face coverings that may not be effective at preventing the spread of viruses.

As for cleaning Disney theme parks, D’Amaro said, “We’ve taken that to another level.” D’Amaro addressed that technology solutions play into overall cleanliness, as they allow Guests and Cast Members to have limited-contact, or contactless, interactions.

WOD Health and Safety Signage
Credit: Disneyland

D’Amaro acknowledged that The Walt Disney Company is doing everything it can to keep Guests and Cast Members safe, but that prevention ultimately lands on both Disney and park visitors. He shared, “We’re going to do our part at Disney, but the Guests are all going to have to do their part.”

Disney Park fans can rest assured, though, that Disney is happy with how their theme parks are operating at this time. D’Amaro made sure to say that “We’re proud of where we stand right now” in regard to operations.

Orange County, where Anaheim is located, has been officially removed from the pandemic watch list. This means we could have a Disney California Adventure and Disneyland reopening announcement sooner rather than later.

Ultimately, however, the decision about theme park reopening lies in the hands of California Governor Gavin Newsom and the state legislature.

Earlier this month, OC Register had an email conversation with California Health and Human Services spokesperson Kate Folmar, who stated:

“Theme parks are not permitted to open in California at this time, under current public health orders,” California Health and Human Services spokesperson Kate Folmar said via email. “We will continue to review health data to determine when and how theme parks may consider reopening at lower risk to staff and visitors.”

The full interview with D’Amaro can be watched below.

 

What do you think about Disneyland Resort reopening? When do you hope Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will reopen?

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