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Theme parks in California can reopen next month after a year-long closure, but the roller coaster experience may be very different thanks to an unusual new rule: try not to scream.
The California Attractions and Parks Association (CAPA) advises in thenew guidelinesfor its “Responsible Reopening Plan,” that theme park visitors should avoid activities that increase the spread of COVID-19, such as singing, shouting, heavy breathing and raising one’s voice.
This rule applies when visitors are on the parks' rides, meaning guests are recommended to stay silent on roller coasters that usually encourage people to do anything but.
California’s parks are not the first to promote an unusually quiet ride experience amid the pandemic:Japan implemented a no-screaming rulewhen it began reopening its amusement parks back in July 2020.
The Fuji-Q Highland amusement park outside Tokyoreceived a lot of attentionat the time for its creatively worded request to roller coaster riders:“Please scream inside your heart.”
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Major theme parks in California — including Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain — have been closed since March 2020.
But beginning April 1, parks in the state can begin reopening at 15 percent capacity in counties that fall in the red tier of their rating system, and 25 percent capacity in counties that fall in the orange tier. If COVID-19 case rates continue to drop, the theme park capacity in the state may go up to 35 percent. There is no guidance for reopening at a higher capacity at this time.
Disneyland is set to reopen on April 30with 15 percent capacity. However, only California residents will be allowed into the park as visitors at this time.
“The day all of us have long been waiting for is almost here,” Ken Potrock, president of Disneyland Resort,said in a press releaseTuesday. “We’re excited to have more than 10,000 cast members returning to work as we get ready to welcome our guests back to this happy place.”
Disneyland Resort sign.David McNew/Getty
While Disney World in Orlando, Florida has since reopened at limited capacity withmask mandatesand distancing restrictions,stricter regulationsin California previously demanded that the parks remain closed.
In November, Disney was able toopen a portion of California Adventure for in-person shopping and dining only, but had toclose its dining operationsjust weeks later due to rising cases in the area.
source: people.com
