Earlier this month, Southern California’s theme parks were cleared to reopen as early as April 1st (with reduced capacity and other precautions and restrictions). As Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal, Six Flags Magic Mountain and other venues get ready to slowly reopen their doors, there’s still a lot going on that theme park enthusiasts can do.
UPDATED 4/12/21 new information on the reopening of Knott’s Berry Farm and SeaWorld!
UPDATED 3/30/21 with info on Universal Studios Hollywood’s reopening WITH RIDES! And new Orange Tier guidelines.
We’ve rounded up some of the best family attractions in SoCal which are currently offering events and festivals, as well as the tentative dates they’ll resume theme park operations with rides (some already have!).
Keep in mind that all of the theme parks listed below will need to comply with new state guidelines for theme park operations. Parks are only allowed to sell theme park tickets to guests from the state of California for now (though they do not have the same requirement for the festivals they are already offering). Additionally, rides which don’t permit outdoor queuing and/or are more than 15 minutes in length, can not operate. Additional restrictions and the now standard health and safety guidelines (masks, social distancing, hand washing/sanitation) are also in place everywhere.
As of April 12th, most of Southern California is now in the Orange Tier of the state’s blueprint for reopening. That’s the level at which theme parks can operate at 25% capacity. Here’s a handy guide to what theme parks can open in the Orange Tier and how much they’ll be able to expand when the region hits the less restrictive Yellow Tier (expected to happen soon):
Beyond theme parks, here’s what else can reopen or expand operations once the Orange Tier is reached:
Universal Studios Hollywood
APRIL 15/16 THEME PARK REOPENING (updated 3/30/21) – Universal Studios has confirmed that they’ll resume theme park operations, with rides, on April 15th for passholders and April 16th for everyone else! Dated tickets or park reservations required. Tickets go on sale April 8th.
The reopening of the park will also bring a brand new family ride, the “Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash.” The ride casts guests as pets as you head off on adventure. 64 animatronics are packed into this major new dark ride. Guests will also find something new and terrifying on the lower lot of the park as a giant new Indominus Rex animatronic has been added to the “Jurassic World” ride.
The park recently completed a successful first attempt at a food festival “Taste of Universal“. They surprised guests in the last week by opening nearly all of the theme park attractions.
Physically distanced photo opportunities with popular characters will also be available.
Tickets and more information: Universal Studios Ticket Page.
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland’s announced April 30th reopening comes more than a year after it initially closed for what was supposed to be a two week period on March 14, 2020. While California’s newly-revised theme park reopening guidelines allow theme parks to open starting April 1, the process for an operation as large as Disneyland’s theme parks will take time.
UPDATE: Disneyland tickets and park reservations begin April 12th for those who already hold tickets and April 15th for those needing to buy new tickets. Information on Disneyland Reopening Ticket Sales Here
Meanwhile, Disney California Adventure is offering a food festival called “A Touch of Disney.” While the event is currently sold out, you can get a taste of it in our opening day coverage:
Disney California Adventure’s “A Touch of Disney” Serves Tasty Memories
Be sure to visit our website often, as we’ll have up-to-date information on the reopening, ticketing information and more.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s has announced that it will reopen with a limited capacity and new safety features this May. However, you can still enjoy the flavors of Knott’s Taste of Boysenberry Festival.
On select dates from March 5th through May 8th, guests can catch a taste of the popular springtime Boysenberry Festival, with the all-new Knott’s Taste of Boysenberry Festival version of the annual event. The retail and food event offers boysenberry-inspired savory bites, sweet treats, and refreshing drinks that can’t be found anywhere else. Handmade and personalized gifts can also be purchased from over 20 local artisan & crafters. While the rides remain closed, the food and merchandise-focused outdoor event offers over 65 boysenberry-infused food and drink items which are included on the $45 5-item event tasting card.
MiceChat has written our thoughts on this berry good event in the article below:
Knott’s Boysenberry Festival Blooms & Preparing for Reopening
To purchase tickets, select available dates, and view the festival’s food items, visit the event’s website: Taste of Knott’s Boysenberry Festival Tickets.
UPDATE 4/12/21: Knott’s Berry Farm has just announced plans for a grand opening on May 21! The park will be celebrating its 100th anniversary (that had to be postponed from last year) and the debut of the all-new Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair attraction. Tickets and reservations will be available starting April 26, and Season Pass previews will begin May 6.
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Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags Magic Mountain reopened to the general public on April 3.
All 2020 Season Passes have been extended until December 31, 2021. If you have a 2020 Season Pass, you do not need to purchase a 2021 Season Pass. If you have already purchased a 2021 Season Pass, please contact Six Flags Magic Mountain for more information.
Six Flags’ comprehensive reopening plan, which the company developed in consultation with epidemiologists, meets or exceeds federal, state, and local guidelines for sanitization, hygiene, and social distancing protocols. Park reopening dates are subject to change based on local, state, and federal guidelines related to best safety practices.
For more ticketing information, visit sixflags.com/magicmountain/store/tickets.
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld is bringing back international flavors, amazing beverage tastings and live music performances with the return of Seven Seas Food Festival. The event will run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from March 5 through May 2, with the park’s enhanced health and safety measures, including limited capacity, reservations, increased cleaning and sanitation, temperature checks, and face covering requirements.
Guests will be able to sip and sample “around the world” with international dishes, craft beers, wines, and specialty alcoholic and zero proof cocktails at unique festival marketplaces.
The park will offer fireworks nightly from March 26th through April 4th. Fireworks begin at 7:45pm and can be watched from a variety of physically-distanced viewing areas available around the park.
For a complete menu, pricing, and event safety guidelines, be sure to visit SeaWorld San Diego’s official website. Ticket details can be found here.
UPDATE 4/12/21: SeaWorld reopened theme park attractions on April 12! If you’ve been wanting to enjoy a thrilling roller coaster with views of San Diego, you’re in luck.
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LEGOLAND California Resort
LEGOLAND California Resort will be offering Park Preview Days with access to select rides and attractions beginning April 1, 2021, under California’s reopening health and safety guidelines with official reopening on April 15, 2021. Priority access will be offered to Hotel guests, pass holders and existing ticket holders who were impacted by the Park’s closure this past year, for the month of April. Be sure to visit the official website for ticket information.
During Build ‘N Play Days, LEGOLAND will open The Hideaways and Duplo Playtown play areas, along with Kai’s Spinners and Cole’s Rock Climb in Lego Ninjago World. Miniland USA also will be open, and Legoland will offer an I-Spy Scavenger Hunt for guests.
LEGOLAND Castle Hotel has also reopened with rooms now available for as low as $169 per night. Hotel guests can get access to Miniland U.S.A., The Big Shop and exclusive access to the Hideaways outside play structures inside the park.
Tickets for Legoland’s Build ‘N Play Days can be purchased HERE.
San Diego Zoo
Located in the heart of San Diego’s Balboa Park, the world-famous San Diego Zoo is now open and offering limited shows, shopping, dining and transportation during the initial reopening phase. The venue will also offer wildlife exhibits that visitors can experience with their families, and stroll among diverse habitats that celebrate the natural world.
All visitors ages 3 and up will require a ticket or membership and reservation to visit (to maximize social distancing, the park requires all guests to have a park reservation for their day of visit): San Diego Zoo Tickets and Reservations.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The San Diego Safari Park houses a large array of wild and endangered animals including species from the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Australia. The park is limiting the amount of guests per day to follow health and safety guidelines, but has a massive amount of outdoor space and exhibits available to guests on a daily basis.
More information, ticketing, and park reservations can be found at: The San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Aquarium of the Pacific
Long Beach’s premiere aquatic venue is now fully open with all indoor and outdoor attractions now open in accordance with state guidelines. The number of visitors is being limited through an online reservation system.
Tickets and reservations can be purchased at: The Long Beach Aquarium Tickets
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
After being closed since the beginning of December, the gates to the Los Angeles Zoo are open again, but advanced online reservations are now required.
For more information on making reservations, be sure to visit The Los Angeles Zoo official website
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Let’s Hear From You
In addition to the great family attractions above, a variety of museums, gardens, and family fun centers have also reopened throughout the region. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on which events and activities are being added to your family’s schedule.
Article Revision History:
- This article was first published on February 25th.
- It was updated on March 4th with additional offerings from Universal and festival information from various venues.
- It was further updated on March 24th with theme park reopening dates.
- Universals Studios Hollywood reopening plans were added on March 30th along with new state theme park guidelines.
- April 6 – updated to add Disneyland
We will continue to update this article as attraction reopening information becomes available.
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