Disney California Adventure, which includes the Route 66-inspired Cars Land attraction, will reopen April 30 after being closed for more than a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The news is another sign the U.S. is flattening the number of cases of the potentially fatal virus due to mass-vaccination efforts.
Disney Parks made the announcement Wednesday, adding the reopening will come with limited capacity:
Because theme park capacity will be significantly limited to comply with governmental requirements and promote physical distancing, the Disneyland Resort will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that requires all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance. To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date are required for guests ages 3 and up. Theme park reservations will be limited and subject to availability and, until further notice, only California residents may visit the parks in line with current state guidelines. More details about this new reservation system will be available soon. […}
The health and well-being of guests and cast members remain a top priority. Just as the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort reopened with enhanced health and safety measures, operational changes will be in place at the theme parks and hotels to align with guidance from health authorities and learnings from our parks around the world to promote physical distancing, enhanced cleanliness and reduced contact. This guidance is fluid and applicable at any given time as community situations change. With that guidance, many factors will determine the timing of when offerings may be available. Cast members will be available to explain our new procedures and answer questions you may have.
Cars Land, which opened in 2012, is inspired by the original 2006 Disney-Pixar animated film “Cars” and Route 66. The $1.1 billion project replicates the fiction Route 66 town of Radiator Springs from the movie that was inspired by real-life people and places along the Mother Road.
The Route 66 research for “Cars” included trips with Michael Wallis, author of the seminal book “Route 66: The Mother Road” and the voice of the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the “Cars” films.
(Image of Cars Land at Disney’s California Adventure by HarshLight via Wikipedia)
