Disneyland is back! Here's what to expect.
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As of June 15th, Disneyland and California Adventure have re-opened to bigger crowds, with fewer COVID related restrictions in place. Things aren’t quite back to normal, but they’re getting there. We visited just after the reopening and came up with a few important things to know before heading back:
While California relaxed its capacity restrictions on June 15th, Disney hasn’t fully re-opened its doors yet. How many people the park is actually letting in is unclear, but a cast member told us on June 18th it was around 40% of capacity. Expect the parks to ramp up over the course of the summer, with crowds back to normal by August or September.
What does that limited capacity mean for visitors? At least for now there are relatively short lines for lots of rides, especially at the beginning and end of the day. You’ll probably still have to wait over an hour for the big-ticket rides like Radiator Springs Racers and Space Mountain, but often you can hop on crowd pleasers like Little Mermaid or even Haunted Mansion in less than 10 minutes. We walked straight on to Big Thunder Mountain around 4PM with no wait at all.
Mask policies have changed dramatically. Fully vaccinated visitors are now no longer required to wear masks at all, and Disney does not require proof or even ask if you’ve been vaccinated. Unvaccinated individuals, including children, are required to wear masks inside unless eating, but again there’s no real method of enforcement. The result is that only 10-20% of guests were masked when we visited, and it’s safe to assume that there were plenty of unvaccinated people, including kids under 12 who aren’t eligible for the vaccine yet, that were unmasked.
Social distancing requirements have been dropped as well, so prepare for old school crowding when waiting in lines. People seem to be voluntarily spacing themselves out slightly, but if you haven’t been out in public for a while, hit a few grocery stores first before you brave a theme park.
If you’ve been dying for a picture with Mickey, Elsa, or Spiderman, don’t worry, you can still get it. But for now he’ll just be hanging out in the background. (That’s a Spiderman joke. Get it?) Disney characters are easily found in all the usual spots around the park, but you’re not allowed to get close to them. Fortunately, they’re still happy to wave for your socially distanced selfie, and without the crowds pushing in around the performer it’s actually a little easier to get a photo.
The Disneyland app is king. While you can certainly still visit Disneyland and California Adventure without a phone, the official Disneyland app makes things much easier. Checking wait times at rides is huge, so you can strategize your next moves, and knowing where the nearest bathroom is is a life saver. The app stores your tickets digitally so if you have a Park Hopper ticket it’s easy to go back and forth between the parks without having to keep track of your paper tickets. You can have the app installed on multiple devices, all connected to the same account.
For now, access to the two newest, high-demand rides, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Spiderman: Web Slingers, is via the app only. As of this writing, each ride uses a virtual queue system that requires you to log in at either 7AM or noon to try and get a spot in line later that day. The queue fills up almost instantly, so make sure you’re logged in and in a place with good reception if you want your chance to ride. Use multiple devices if you can. When you’re assigned your spot you’ll have a flexible window to arrive at the ride, and if you’re a little late for your window they may let you on anyway. You can only be in one virtual queue at a time.
Many restaurants allow you to order via the app, which can save you some time. First you’ll have to choose a window in which you’d like to pick up your order, then let them know you’re there so they’ll actually prepare it. It’s a good idea to tell them you’re there before you actually arrive, because it could take a while before the food actually comes out. And naturally, avoiding meal rushes is key. At noon even the pretzel and churro stands have long lines.
In addition to the main Disneyland app, there’s a game app called Play Disney Parks that can be good for killing some time in lines, especially with kids. Most of the games are short and simple, but if you’re looking to really immerse yourself in the Star Wars experience, try the Data Pad game and embrace your inner nerd.
Bring a power bank! Trust us, if you’re using the app as much as we did, you’ll need it.
If you really want to get the most out of a day at Disney, consider booking a room at one the Disney hotels. The Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is a great choice because you can walk directly into the park from the hotel, saving a lot of time in the morning so you can be the first one on the rides.
And remember, Woodlyn Travel can book your next Disney adventure for you, whether it’s park tickets, a hotel, or even a Disney cruise. Just let us know how we can help make your next vacation even more magical!
