As California theme parks reopen, Disneyland announces reservation system
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
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.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
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.”
Screenshot courtesy of Disneyland
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.
Featured image by Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants in the first three months of card membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.