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Credit: DisneyCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom’s theme park reopening guidelines and the California Attractions and Parks Association — which represents theme parks, amusement parks, zoos, and more in California — have a new recommendation for the pandemic era: no screaming on roller coasters.
This news comes on the heels of the lessening of reopening guidelines for large theme parks in California, which will allow parks such as Disneyland and Universal to open as soon as April 1.
According to the Blueprint For a Safer Economy and the theme park reopening guidelines for California, it is strongly recommended that parks like Disneyland and Disney California Adventure attempt to avoid situations that would cause Guests to scream or shout as much as possible, as this can lead to the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Related: Universal Plans to Build 4 New Roller Coasters Quickly
In the screenshot below from the CAPA Reopen CA Amusement Parks website, we can see that the association lists the concern regarding shouting (as found in Governor Newsom’s Blueprint For a Safer Economy and theme park reopening guidance) and then addresses the way that theme parks should operate accordingly:
This recommendation is part of CAPA’s reopening plan for the theme parks in California. In addition to the “no screaming” recommendation, face masks are compulsory.
We have seen that wearing face masks on roller coasters was implemented in Florida at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. Employees at theme parks in Florida have strictly enforced the wearing of face coverings at attractions. We expect theme park employees in California at the Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood to do the same. However, neither Disney nor Universal has stated that they will enforce a “no screaming” policy at their theme parks.
Related: Universal Ceases Ticket Sales, Restricts Access to the Park
The “no screaming” recommendation is similar to the rules we previously reported on when Guests were asked not to scream while riding roller coasters at Tokyo Disneyland.
At Disneyland and Disney California Adventure attractions that would be considered thrill rides, such as roller coaster, are:
Disneyland
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Space Mountain
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- Splash Mountain
- Gadget’s Go Coaster
Disney California Adventure
- Incredicoaster
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Grizzly River Run
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout
- Radiator Springs Racers
At Universal Studios Hollywood, examples of these attractions are:
- The Mummy
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Jurassic World – The Ride
While Disneyland and Universal have yet to set an opening date for their theme parks, each holds smaller ticketed events. Disneyland’s event is called A Touch of Disney, and Universal’s is called, Taste of Universal. Both of these events do not have attractions operating for Guests, so this new recommendation will be more impactful if the theme parks actively choose to follow it and attempt to enforce a “no screaming” rule (or recommend for Guests not to shout while riding attractions) once the parks reopen fully.
For now, neither Disney nor Universal has said that screaming will not be allowed, but it is still unclear whether they will actively recommend against shouting on rides.
What do you think about the “no screaming” recommendation? Let us know in the comments!