As California theme parks reopen, Disneyland announces reservation system
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
This is the news many Californians have been waiting for: Disneyland plans to open its theme park reservation system on April 12. This is in anticipation of Disneyland throwing its gates open once again on April 30. The catch is, you have to be a California resident to visit any of the state's theme parks in the first phase of their reopening.
Other California theme parks, such as SeaWorld San Diego, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, have already reopened.
Tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood go on sale April 8 and the park reopens on April 16. (Annual pass holders get a free sneak preview: more details below.)
Knott's Berry Farm hasn't set its reopening date yet but says it will be in May.
Opening dates aren't all up to the theme parks. The county in which they are located must first attain red/substantial tier 2 risk status.
How to make a Disneyland theme park reservation
Part of Disneyland's reopening plan included a reservation system. In order to visit a park, you need both a paid ticket and a free reservation -- both for the day you wish to visit. You need a reservation whether you're visiting Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure. This is a requirement for all guests ages 3 and up.
According to Disneyland's website, "Only California residents may visit the parks, and in groups no larger than three households, in line with current state guidelines." Here are the particulars about ticket sales and reservations, according to Disneyland.
"The theme park reservation system will launch on April 12, and guests with existing valid theme park tickets can begin making park reservations for the days that their ticket is valid. Theme park ticket sales will resume on April 15, and guests without park tickets may begin purchasing tickets and making park reservations. As a reminder, ticket expiration dates were extended for many outstanding tickets. To accommodate as many types of ticket holders as possible, park reservations for select dates may be made available on a rolling basis. Ticket calendars will be updated on a rolling basis. Check for updated availability."
These are the dates to be aware of:
- April 9: If you have a theme park ticket, you can check available days for your one-day ticket type.
- April 12: The theme park reservation system will open no earlier than 8 a.m. PT. Guests who already have theme park tickets may begin making park reservations.
- April 15: Theme park ticket sales will resume no earlier than 8 a.m. PT on April 15, and guests without park tickets may begin purchasing tickets and making park reservations.
If you plan to try to get a reservation to a Disneyland theme park, make sure to log in to your Disney account first and link your valid theme park ticket. The reservation system will need to access that data in order to confirm a reservation on a particular date.
Universal annual pass members get a special preview day
While Universal CityWalk, the dining and shopping complex, and Universal Cinema are now open, it won't be until April 16 that you can walk through the gates of Universal Studios Hollywood.
However, if you are an annual Pass Member, there's a special preview day just for you on April 15. Additionally, there will be complimentary Bonus Days from Thursday, April 15 through Sunday, May 16. You can reserve these special days online as of Monday, April 5. Pass Members can return to using their passes as usual on Monday, May 17.
If you aren't a pass holder but have a regular ticket purchased before April 8, 2021, you can make online reservations to visit the park as of April 5.
Whether you have an annual pass or not, you must be a California resident to visit Universal Studios Hollywood when it reopens. Non-pass holders can buy tickets and make a theme park reservation beginning April 8.
The group you travel with is limited to three households and a total of 10 people.
Universal says that most rides will be running as of April 16, but select shows and attractions will reopen later in order to fully comply with the state government restrictions.
Visitors will be required to undergo temperature checks and wear face masks. You'll be asked to be mindful of social distance and Universal will offer contactless payment and "no-touch" options whenever possible throughout the park.
You can buy Universal Studios Hollywood tickets and make park reservations here on the dates noted above.
What will be different at the theme parks?
For all parks, capacity will be limited to comply with governmental requirements and promote physical distancing, and advance reservations are required for guests ages 3 and up.
Note that, until further notice, tickets are only available to California residents. The buyer's location will be verified by a new reservation system that uses GPS data to track purchases. (The system also allows for contact tracing should there be a COVID-19 outbreak tied to a park.)
Bottom line
We have reason to be hopeful. Cases in Los Angeles County, the most populous in the state and home to several of the state's high-traffic parks, have been on a downward trend since peaking in January. With the three highly effective vaccines and aggressive efforts to vaccinate the state's most vulnerable communities (many of whom keep the state's tourism running), it's safe to assume we could be touring a theme park this spring, summer or fall.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.