Disney, Universal and other theme parks in the state that had been forced to limit attendance to California residents can now allow out-of-state visitors under revised state guidelines — but not all parks are swinging open their gates to interstate travelers just yet.
Revised guidelines in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy now allow fully vaccinated out-of-state visitors to attend activities or events that are currently limited to California residents only.
California theme parks can allow fully vaccinated visitors from out of state, according to California Department of Public Health officials.
The California Attractions and Parks Association said in a statement that an addendum to the state’s COVID-19 health and safety guidelines allows California theme parks to admit fully vaccinated out-of-state visitors.
“Amusement parks’ responsible reopening plans are guided by the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy which was recently updated with an addendum to Blueprint Activity & Business Tiers Chart,” CAPA officials said in a statement. “This addendum now allows fully vaccinated persons from out of state to visit or attend activities or events that were previously restricted to in-state visitors. As vaccinations become more widespread and state guidance evolves, individual parks may update their own responsible reopening plans in accordance with state and local public health regulations.”
The Sacramento-based CAPA represents Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and California’s Great America.
California theme parks were permitted to reopen on April 1 under revised state guidelines after more than a year of coronavirus closures. Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain, SeaWorld San Diego and Legoland California have already reopened. Disneyland and Disney California Adventure return on April 30 while Knott’s Berry Farm will reopen on May 6 for passholders.
California theme parks are required to limit ticket sales to in-state residents under revised state guidelines in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
Updates to the guidelines this week allow fully vaccinated out-of-state visitors to attend activities or events that are currently limited to California residents only. State guidelines currently limit attendance to only California residents at theme parks, live performances and professional sporting events.
California residents are not required to be vaccinated or show proof of vaccination to enter theme parks in the state.
SeaWorld San Diego is allowing out-of-state visitors who show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. Visitors must be fully vaccinated – meaning two weeks have passed since the second shot of the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or the only shot of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
SeaWorld has since removed an option that allowed out-of-state visitors who could show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their park visit.
Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood are not allowing out-of-state visitors yet.
Until further notice, only California residents are allowed to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks, according to Disney officials.
“While visitation to our theme park is currently available to California residents only, we are assessing next steps to implement changes to previously released guidance and will share updated information when it becomes available,” according to a Universal Studios Hollywood spokesperson.
Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Legoland California and other California theme parks have not yet announced if they will allow out-of-state visitors.
The “Californians Only” rule for theme parks – which continues through the red, orange and yellow tiers of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy – is tied to the current California Department of Public Health travel advisory.
Travel from outside California is “strongly discouraged” and out-of-state travelers are advised to self-quarantine for 10 days, according to the travel advisory. The advisory urges California residents to avoid traveling more than 120 miles from home.
U.S. and California health officials have discouraged recreational travel during the pandemic, which increases the risk of spreading coronavirus variants.
California theme parks are using online reservation systems with geocoding capabilities and GPS data to determine where theme park visitors live.
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