Los Angeles County to Detail Steps for Theme Parks' Return

May 29, 2020, 7:06 PM · Officials in Los Angeles County next week will detail their roadmap for reopening theme parks in the county, which is home to Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Theme parks will be one of the many industries that county officials will discuss Tuesday, along with film and television production and sports venues. California Governor Gavin Newsom Friday gave Los Angeles County approval to begin moving into Stage 3 of the state's reopening plan, allowing for the immediate reopening of barber shops and hair salons, as well as in-person dining at restaurants at 60 percent of normal capacity.

The approval for in-person dining in Los Angeles County, coupled with the approval earlier this week for in-person retail, would clear the way for Universal to reopen its CityWalk shopping and dining area in Hollywood, though the park has made no announcement yet about a potential reopening.

Elsewhere in Southern California, Orange and San Diego counties last week were cleared to begin Stage 3, prompting several San Diego County attractions, including Legoland California and SeaWorld San Diego, to apply to for permission to reopen on July 1. In Orange County, neither Knott's Berry Farm nor the Disneyland Resort has made any move toward reopening their theme parks or shopping districts.

In Florida, Universal Orlando has reopened its CityWalk and the theme parks reopen to the public next week. Walt Disney World's Disney Springs also has reopened, though the resort's theme parks will not return until mid-July. Disney World got approval today from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for the reopening plan it detailed earlier this week.

SeaWorld Orlando also is set to return now on June 11, while Legoland Florida will reopen June 1. Six Flags is kicking off its reopening with Oklahoma's Frontier City on the same day. So far, no other Cedar Fair parks (that's Knott's chain) have applied to reopen in their states.

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Replies (4)

May 29, 2020 at 7:31 PM

I have to think political leaders are under insurmountable pressure to open things up. Robert, perhaps it is time to start submitting some FOIA public record requests to see what execs at theme parks and other businesses have been communicating to these leaders.

May 29, 2020 at 8:11 PM

Stephen Curry's beard looks ridiculous in the ad that plays halfway through the article.

May 30, 2020 at 11:16 AM

I wonder if Universal will still go along with the opening of Secret Life of Pets? Or hold off on it until the park has more "normal" operations.

May 30, 2020 at 5:17 PM

Universal sent out a contest announcement for the ride yesterday, so I’d guess it’s opening when the park does.

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