Local Lawmakers Looking To Ease Reopening Guidelines For Disneyland, Other Theme Parks

ANAHEIM (CBSLA) - State lawmakers are set to consider a bipartisan bill that would allow Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain and other theme parks to reopen ahead of the current California guidelines.

Under Assembly Bill 420, sponsored by Sharon Quirk Silva (D-Buena Park) and Suzette Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) - two districts hit hard by the closures of Disneyland and Six Flags - all theme parks would be placed in the "orange/moderate" tier under Gov. Gavin Newsom's reopening plan.

"My big concern is the longer we stay closed, the deeper our economy dives," said Assemblymember Quirk Silva Thursday. "We know they're concerned about health but they're also concerned about getting food on the table."
Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu agrees, saying that the economic impact has been devastating on the city. He said Disneyland, which is now the vaccination epicenter of Orange County, can be an example of how to safely reopen.

The governor's "Blueprint for a Safer Economy" currently prohibits any theme parks from reopening until their corresponding county reaches the "yellow/minimal" tier.

Under AB 420, theme parks and indoor dining locations would be allowed to reopen at 25% capacity.

RELATED: 'Worst Possible Outcome': Theme Park Enthusiasts Blast California's Reopening Guidelines

Last month, Orange County opened a mass-vaccination site at Disneyland Resort, while some shopping reopened in Downtown Disney.

Disney fanatic Kris Harris flew to Anaheim from the Bay Area for 24 hours to get her fix. Disneyland remains closed so she eats and shops at Downtown Disney.

"We've done many Disney trips and we are continuing keeping that tradition
until it gets opened," said Harris.

After Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm were all closed in March 2020, revised state guidance in December opened the door for smaller theme parks to reopen under the orange level.

The move came weeks after the state's biggest theme park operators said they would consider legal action to reopen and get their employees back to work in response to a new wave of closures.

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