Officials at Disney, Universal and SeaWorld say Southern California theme parks are ready to open as soon as the state issues guidelines for safely swinging the gates of major tourist destinations.
Managers of Disney, Universal and SeaWorld said theme parks in California were “ready to roll” during a theme park roundtable in Orlando on Wednesday, August 26, led by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
SEE ALSO: Disneyland auditions Marvel superhero stunt performers for Avengers Campus
Officials from Disney, Universal and SeaWorld used the round table in Florida as an opportunity to remind Gavin Newsom, California government, that their theme parks in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties are “ready” after more than five months of coronavirus. the closure.
California theme parks close in mid-March amid the COVID-19 pandemic and remain closed indefinitely while awaiting state guidelines for safe reopening. Disney, Universal and SeaWorld have reopened theme parks in China, Japan, Singapore, France, Florida and Texas after extensive coronavirus closures.
“Disneyland has been ready to roll since July,” Disney World Chief Operating Officer Jim MacPhee said at the roundtable.
SEE ALSO: When will Disney Avengers Campus open?
Disneyland is awaiting guidance and reopening of protocols from Newsom and California officials, MacPhee said.
MacPhee’s statement about Disneyland’s willingness to reopen echoed a similar sentiment from Disney Park President Josh D’Amaro in an interview with the US Travel Association.
“We have no guidelines in California for opening,” D’Amaro told the US Travel Association. “Once a date and those guidelines are set, I can tell you we’re ready.”
Disneyland looks forward to working with officials and officials on a reopening plan.
“Our theme parks will remain closed, and once we have a clearer understanding of when theme park reopening guidelines will be released from the state of California, we will be able to work with the state and Orange County Health Care Agency after a reopening date,” he said. Disneyland officials.
SEE ALSO: What Shanghai Disney Changes May Mean for Disneyland
Universal has reopened theme parks in Japan, Singapore and Florida that were closed by the pandemic. Universal Studios Hollywood is the only theme park of the company that remains closed.
“We’re ready to go,” John Orlando, CEO of Universal Orlando, told Universal’s round table about California. “We are just waiting for the opportunity to do so.”
SEE ALSO: SeaWorld San Diego reopened with attendance limited to one-third of capacity
SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment has completely reopened SeaWorld Parks in Orlando and San Antonio and Busch Gardens Tampa with reduced attendance capacity.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia has partially reopened with a limited event Coasters and Craft Brews. SeaWorld San Diego is preparing to partially reopen for a limited time Zoo Days: Bayside BBQ and Brews event on Friday, August 28th.
“When I talk to people in other states, one of the things I really like to point out is the success that the state of Florida has had with reopening,” SeaWorld CEO Marc Swanson told the round table. “That goes a lot with some of the states saying, ‘Here’s a state that does it, opens theme parks and does it the right way, and finds people coming out and we can do this safely.’ “We appreciate that. It will hopefully help us get the rest of these parks open over time.”
