When Will Disneyland Reopen? Company Says 'It's Time' As California Weighs Theme-Park Pandemic Guidelines

The Walt Disney Co. on Tuesday made a plea to California officials to reopen its Disneyland theme park in Orange County after more than half a year of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“To our California government officials, particularly at the state level: I encourage you to treat theme parks like you would other sectors and help us reopen,” Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney parks, experiences and products, said in an investor presentation from Disneyland in Anaheim. “We need guidelines that are fair and equitable so we can better understand our future and chart a path toward reopening.”

In mid-March, Disney announced the closing of the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort, along with the Disneyland Park and Disneyland California Adventure in Southern California. Other non-Disney theme parks in California have also remained closed since mid-March.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that an announcement is forthcoming on theme-park reopening guidelines.

"We will be making announcements soon as it relates to theme parks and amusement parks," Newsom said. "Making announcements soon as it relates to some areas, industries as well as sectors and putting out additional guidelines in those spaces very very shortly."

D'Amaro said “we’re ready,” and “it’s time” to reopen Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

Disney lost $4.72 billion in the third quarter, though online streaming has been able to partially offset losses from closed parks and delayed movies.

According to Statista, Disneyland had 18.66 million visitors in 2018 and 18.67 million in 2019.

Disney's facilities in Shanghai, Paris and Florida have already resumed operations, and the Hong Kong park will reopen Friday. The parks are enforcing limited attendance, social distancing, and mask-wearing to prevent the spread of the virus.