Everything Disneyland Cast Members Are Doing to Prepare For Reopening

in Disney, Disneyland Resort

disneyland main street usa

Credit: Disney

Although Disneyland Resort fans are still awaiting an official reopening announcement from the State of California and Walt Disney Company officials, this has been a busy week at Disney’s Anaheim, California theme park.

Essential Disneyland Cast Members have been present throughout the temporary closure, which began for both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure on March 14.

These Cast Members have been consistently maintaining both Disney Parks to make sure Guests and other Cast Members can safely return to the magic as soon as California Governor Gavin Newsom gives the okay.

disneyland resort
Credit: Disney

This week, in particular, Cast Members have been busy preparing for reopening and there have been some new sights in both Disneyland Resort parks that signal a new reopening date could be set sooner rather than later.

Here’s a look at everything the Disneyland Cast is doing to prep for reopening right now.

Necessary Maintenance

One of the ongoing tasks Disneyland Resort Cast Members are doing is maintaining the grounds of the theme parks so they aren’t overgrown when Guests come back to the Happiest Place on Earth.

This week, specifically, we saw tree trimming occurring in Disneyland Park at the Matterhorn Bobsleds roller coaster and near the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage attraction.

tree trimming
Credit: YouTube

In the above screenshot from YouTube live-stream footage, we see Cast Members on a lift working on the fir trees near the popular Matterhorn ride.

The Disneyland Cast and Community Instagram account has also showcased some essential work happening at the California Disney property. Custodian Howard was featured at work this week, keeping the parks beautiful for Guests to enjoy soon!

Testing Attractions

Since the temporary closure in the spring, there hasn’t been much going on at Disneyland in regard to ride testing. That changed this week as Cast Members tested two rides that we know of.

Both the Pixar-Pal-Around Ferris Wheel at California Adventure and the Matterhorn were inspected and run ahead of Disneyland’s reopening.

pixar pal around night
Credit: Disney

In addition to testing how various rides are operating, Disneyland Cast Members also recently lit-up the Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout attraction for the first time in at least a couple of weeks.

All of this signals that CMs are making sure things are running smoothly ahead of a theme park reopening confirmation.

On Twitter, the Anaheim Park Tourist (@AnaheimPark) account noted some additional activity at Disney California Adventure theme park, sharing:

Spotted the lights on in Cars Land and the maint lights on the Incredicoaster. Saw Cars Land lights on last week and in July. Only seen maint lights on Incredicoaster in July. More activity daily, but doesn’t mean much until state guidance.

Working With Animals

The iconic horse-drawn carriages on Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A. are a huge draw for Disney Park goers who thrive on nostalgia. This week the gorgeous horses were seen on Main Street for the first time since Disneyland shut down as a result of the pandemic.

horse drawn carriage
Credit: eBay

While it is unlikely that horse-drawn carriage rides will be available during Phase 1 of the theme park’s upcoming phased reopening, it’s possible that the horses will be involved in a character cavalcade, like Merida at Walt Disney World Resort.

Anaheim Park Tourist also wondered what the significance of the horse sighting this week could be.

Their team Tweeted:

What are your thoughts on this? We were discussing the horses in #Disneyland and wondering significance of it. Are the horses being acclimated to the park with a rider on them? WDW has the cavalcade with characters riding horses, #Disneyland probably will too.

Construction Updates

Disney theme park executives, including Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Josh D’Amaro and Disneyland President Ken Potrock, have given updates on major Disneyland construction projects this week.

D’Amaro showed-off progress at the highly anticipated new Avengers Campus area at Disney California Adventure, while Potrock announced that, although vertical construction, has begun, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will be delayed until 2023.

These specific updates may signal that Disneyland is letting Guests know exactly what to expect when they return to the parks, perhaps in the very near future.

d'amaro avengers campus
Credit: Josh D’Amaro/Instagram

When do you think Disneyland Resort will reopen? Are you a local Annual Passholder looking forward to returning or an out-of-town DLR fan? 

Even though you can’t visit Disneyland right now, our friends at Academy Travel can work with you to plan a Disney vacation you’ll never forget! Whether you want to go to Disneyland Resort when it reopens or Disney World right now, they will help you navigate the new reservation system, book a Disney Resort hotel room, and understand how dining is working during the phased reopening process.

in Disney, Disneyland Resort

Comments Off on Everything Disneyland Cast Members Are Doing to Prepare For Reopening