Disneyland's Grand Californian to Begin Reopening in May

February 23, 2021, 6:08 PM · The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa - a Disney Vacation Club property - will reopen on May 2, the DVC announced in an email to members.

Disneyland's theme parks officially remain closed, but the resort has reopened its Downtown Disney shopping and dining district, with plans announced for a food and merchandise event starting next month inside Disney California Adventure.

"Our Cast Members on the West Coast are excited to make their magic once again and 'welcome home' Members with enhanced health and safety measures based on guidance from health authorities and appropriate government agencies," Disney Senior Vice President Terri Schultz wrote.

Schultz also noted under "Member Policy Updates" in the email:

"We would also like to share that some of the temporary adjustments made last year to certain Disney Vacation Club policies will be ending soon. We ask that you please visit the member website for details about policies related to reservation cancelations, the borrowing and holding of points, exchange fees and more. We have appreciated your patience and flexibility as we’ve worked to adapt policies in support of our entire membership while continuing to deliver the vacation experiences you expect from Disney."

There's no word yet from the resort on any potential reopening for the non-DVC rooms in the Grand Californian, or for the Disneyland and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotels.

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Replies (7)

February 24, 2021 at 11:36 AM

Will I feel comfortable taking my family to Disneyland in 2021? Man, I hope so. The vaccine for me is the gating issue, and here in California there's no telling when a generally healthy, not too old dude is going to qualify. And even when I can go, will I be able to get in??? I have to think that half the world has a planned trip on backlog, like me, so it's going to be rammed, especially if it has to run at partial capacity. And it's less fun to go in the winter months, because we need a mid-day pool . . .

I'm not a religious man, but I'm praying for a September/October miracle! Help me Walt!!

February 24, 2021 at 12:45 PM

Here is the chart to watch on US vaccinations. That number is heading in the wrong direction right now and needs to get up over 2.5 million a day within the next few weeks to save the September/October Halloween season this year.

However, approval for the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine could come as early as Friday night, and Pfizer has said that it is substantially increasing its production, so there are a couple of reasons for optimism there.

February 24, 2021 at 7:17 PM

Fingers crossed! This is the longest span of my life I didn't go to Disney, it's killing me.

February 25, 2021 at 12:48 AM

We got off to way too slow a start on the vaccinations and still some resistance in places. But the J&J push can aid it and folks accepting this is a faster way to get things back on track is good.

February 26, 2021 at 1:21 AM

I think this is pretty moot. While I believe Disneyland will finally reopen soon, the capacity limits for both parks will be less than 5000 based on California’s resistance to let the parks open even at significantly reduced capacity so far. And if the parks aren’t even open yet why go?

February 26, 2021 at 8:32 AM

I go to the parks a lot in Orlando never felt unsafe. The infection rate in states that are closed are the same as Florida. What's sad is all the jobs lost and all the children hurt by not attending schools. Hopefully we getting to the end. If you can go to a zoo you should be able to go to a theme park

February 26, 2021 at 10:58 AM

Couldn't agree with you more Floridapgapro! I also believe with the recall election of CA's state governor about to happen, and people of the governor's own party asking for the CA parks to re-open at an easier tier, we will see Disneyland reopen sometime in May... of course at a limited capacity, mask wearing, temperature check. As for the the J&J vaccine coming out, that is great news! I had my second dose of Pfizer just over 2 weeks ago with no issue past less than a day of feeling *meh*.

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