The best way that California theme parks can show state officials — and skeptical consumers — that they can operate safely is to … operate safely.
Knott’s Berry Farm had the right idea two months ago. Take what state and local officials offer you and open in any way that you can. Knott’s reopened its gates for hard-ticket food festivals under state guidelines allowing outdoor dining. Since then in Southern California, SeaWorld San Diego and Legoland California have reopened parts of their theme parks as well.
And now the Disneyland Resort has announced that it will reopen Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure for shopping and dining, calling it an “extension” of the resort’s Downtown Disney district.
State officials’ decision to label theme parks as a more dangerous environment for COVID-19 transmission than outdoor stadiums shows that the state clearly does not trust theme parks to protect their visitors and communities from the virus. The industry and its allies can debate that point as long as they would like, but with California in a state of emergency, theme parks will need more than arguments to change minds in Sacramento.
It’s a cliché taught to anyone who writes for a living, from newspaper columnists and theme park designers: show, don’t tell. If the state is not listening to what theme parks have to say, theme parks will have to find another way to make their case for reopening safely.
Limited operations offer the state’s parks their best opportunity to show that. If Gov. Newsom wants a “slow and stringent” reopening, then deliver one. Start with Buena Vista Street and then slowly add Main Street USA, followed by other lands in the parks. Enforce mask rules stringently throughout. Require visitors not just to pass a temperature check at entry, but also to use official apps when visiting and agree to contact tracing through them.
Reopening shops and restaurants also gets theme park employees back to work while showing the state that parks can keep their employees safe. But a limited reopening is not just for parks and their workers. It provides theme park fans a chance to show that they can visit the parks safely and responsibly, as well.
Want the parks and other attractions to reopen? Then stay home if you have any symptoms. Wear your mask whenever you leave the house. Don’t crowd people’s space. If you visit Downtown Disney, Knott’s or any other theme park property, don’t put the parks in position to have to enforce their health and safety policies. Follow them, stringently, from before you arrive until after you leave.
Theme parks do not need their fans to spam state officials with emails that no one will read. They need fans to do their part to stop the spread of this virus everywhere in California. Together, parks and their fans can show the state that this is not the 2015 measles outbreak and that theme parks can operate without becoming vectors for the spread of disease.
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Disneyland should follow Knott’s Berry Farm’s lead and host food events for now - OCRegister
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