After being shuttered since last March over COVID-19 concerns, Anaheim’s Disneyland is finally reopening its doors to the public Friday.
Unfortunately, Disney die-hards in New York and elsewhere shouldn’t book tickets just yet: The Happiest Place on Earth is limiting access to California residents, ignoring state guidelines permitting theme parks to accept out-of-state visitors provided that they’ve been vaccinated, LAist reported.
They will also be capping park capacity at 25% and limiting groups to no larger than three households.
And while the park will operate at a reduced admittance, fans are reportedly clamoring to visit the House of Mouse once again.
“People are tired of being cooped up, not going on vacation,” Greg Antonelle, a representative for Disney-booking agency Mickey Travels, told the New York Times.
In order to keep a lid on the number of visitors, Disneyland is requiring guests to make both a park pass reservation and a ticket purchase in order to enter its two parks, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.
Other expected precautions include face masks for both visitors and staffers, temperature checks upon entry and hand-sanitizer stations throughout the park.
COVID protocols will apply to the rides as well, where visitors from different households will be separated from each other by at least one seat or empty row. It’s unclear if they’ll permit screaming on the attractions.
Meanwhile, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is reportedly experiencing high visitor volume after reopening to guests — also at a reduced capacity — a staggering nine months ago.
Nonetheless, out-of-town fans are reportedly wishing upon a star for the original to reopen its pearly gates.
“I have a file filled with families waiting for Disneyland to open up to non-California residents,” Staci Kimball, a senior adviser with Disney-focused agency Glass Slipper Concierge, told the Times. “They know they can go to Walt Disney World, but there’s so much nostalgia for the original park.”