Picture Credit: Disney Parks Blog

During 2020 and the beginning of 2021, Disneyland Park was closed due to the pandemic. As cases have slowed and public areas are now opening up again, Disneyland also decided to open on April 30th of this year. Before June 15th, capacity was restricted to 15-35 percent of the normal number of people and admission was only available to local residents.

According to Chris, a third grader resident of Orange County who visited Disneyland and California Adventure Park on June 6th, said “Before COVID it was way too packed and now there were so few people; the lines were much shorter.”

Except for the Matterhorn Bobsleds ride which is undergoing construction, all other major rides are open in both parks. After June 15th however, as the California mask mandate was lifted, the Disneyland capacity limit reverted to 100 percent. 

Additionally, during the lockdown and the closing of Disneyland, a new land was being built in California Adventure Park, adjacent to the famous Incredicoaster and the Little Mermaid ride. This new land is called the Marvel Avengers Land with two new rides: the Spiderman Webslinger ride and the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! ride. 

Chris said, “The Webslingers [ride] was good because it was really real and it wasn’t scary. I also liked it because your hands are guns and they track your movements to shoot down the spiders with them. At the end they give you points based on how many spiders you killed and you play with a few other people, too.”

Another third grader from Orange County, Sally, said, “The Webslingers ride was really fun and I competed with my family who were shooting the spiders with me. Also, at the beginning of the ride there is a short video to watch with Tom Holland who plays Spiderman in the Marvel movies who is talking about the mission. Overall, it was a really fun experience.”

The Guardians of the Galaxy ride, however, was the real showstopper. Sally commented “Guardians of the Galaxy was “super unexpected because it’s not a rollercoaster and instead looks like a room with chairs in it to sit in. It was really thrilling.”

With new attractions and an optional mask rule, many people from all over the country–and world–are able to enjoy the beloved Disneyland and California Adventure Parks once again.