Fun makes a comeback: New attractions coming soon
Theme parks host their own attractions to bring some fun into the pandemic.
After a year of being closed, theme parks in California make plans to reopen as Southern California leaves the purple tier and enters the orange tier which is expected as soon as late April.
In the meantime, some theme parks already have activities and attractions prior to reopening; some of these parks include: Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Disneyland.
Universal Studios opened CityWalk in Hollywood, California on June 11, 2020. The Universal CityWalk is a place for dining and shopping. Information from the Universal Studios website says that, “Select venues are open for limited operations from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily.”
In addition, the Universal Cinema AMC opened on March 19 so that you can, “start watching movies again at the place where movies are made.”
On March 12, a limited time event called a Taste of Universal debuted. This event takes place Fridays through Sundays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m with prices ranging from $44 to $59 (plus tax) depending on what day you visit. It’s an event filled with foods from fun lands such as Hollywood and Dine, Springfield, U.S.A., The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and an all-new Minion Cafe.
Freshman Jenny Duran shows concerns about her safety and health.
“Not a lot of people are vaccinated and the virus can spread…the pandemic isn’t really over,” she said.
However, before entering the event you will get your temperature checked, wear a mask (except when seated in eating areas), practice social distancing, and you can be assured that “all chairs, tables and high-touch surfaces will be thoroughly and frequently cleaned and disinfected.”
Similarly, Knott’s Berry Farm began hosting the Taste of the Boysenberry Festival which started on March 5 and will continue until May 2. The prices are a $45 regular tasting card for adults and a $20 junior tasting card for kids (plus tax). The festival will showcase boysenberry treats. The boysenberry is a type of berry that has been infused with raspberries, blackberries, dewberries, and loganberries.
At the event, the park goers will get a tasting card that includes up to five meals. Some of the featured meals are: Boysenberry BBQ carne asada pizza with cilantro and onions, Philly cheese fries with boysenberry onion topping, and boysenberry mashed potatoes with chicken or tofu. On the dessert side of the menu, you can expect to find the boysenberry key lime tart, boysenberry cake with boysenberry cream cheese icing, boysenberry thumbprint cookies, and the boysenberry crisp.
In order to guarantee your safety, you will get your temperature checked and the associates have been trained on the importance of hand washing, social distancing, and hygiene. The park also encourages that the guests wear their masks unless they are sitting at a table or bench and that they use contactless ways of paying such as credit cards, Apple pay or Android Pay.
Freshman Joseph Lira has had the opportunity to go to the Boysenberry Festival and shows his concern for the safety regulations.
“People would wear their masks at the entrance and later find a way to slip it off,” he said.
He also said, “It’s a technical challenge,” to make sure that all of the high-touch surfaces are cleaned.
To ensure his own safety and to enjoy future attractions, he would consider wearing two masks and gloves.
Disneyland in Anaheim, California had opened its retail and dining locations such as the Downtown Disney District and Buena Vista Street on July 9 and November 19 of 2020. However, the Buena Vista Street closed on March 15 to prepare for the limited time event: A Touch of Disney. The event started on March 18 and will follow through until April 19 with a cost of $75 (plus tax). During this event, park goers will have the opportunity to explore, enjoy food and drinks, and shop around outdoor areas located near Disney California Adventure Park.
Lira is happy that many locations are starting to reopen because it’s, “Good for the community and it would help the surrounding areas and businesses.”
Participating restaurants include Sonoma Terrace, Lamplight Lounge, and Smokejumpers Grill, and Award Wieners.
More recently, Disneyland announced that they will be opening on April 30. It will also open other attractions in phases: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will reopen on April 29, Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will reopen May 2, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel will reopen at a later date (all with limited capacity).
In addition, Disney characters will make a comeback in new ways and locations due to social distancing. For example, Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be seen waving from the train station. Other activities such as parades and nighttime spectaculars will return sometime in the future.
In order to stay safe, Disney will follow some procedures and sanitation areas such as easy to access handwashing facilities, hand sanitizer dispensers, and end-of-day sanitation procedures for outdoor locations. It also asks that the guests wear masks at all times.
On April 30, Disneyland in Anaheim, California will be the last out of the six Disney parks around the world to open.

I love strawberries, my favorite animal is the polar bear, and I like going on walks to the park.
Yancy Vasquez • May 6, 2021 at 11:59 am
This article was so informative about what is going on with amusement parks. I was not aware that many of them were opening. I feel like it has been so long since I have stepped foot in an amusement park. The minion cafe sounds so cute but I don’t drink coffee so I hope those who do enjoy it and stay safe. This article gives me hope that things might be getting back to normal but shows me that it is not over yet and we still need to take care of ourselves. Thanks for this informational article Esmeralda it was Awesome! <3
Hugo Santos • May 6, 2021 at 11:51 am
I honestly don’t know what to think of this news, I should be glad that my favorite theme park I like to go to, Disneyland, is opening back up but I don’t know whether it is still safe enough to reopen. Moreover, I understand why these theme parks want to reopen but I do believe that these theme parks are putting profit over the safety of people.
Chelsey Valeriano • May 6, 2021 at 10:27 am
This is a great written article. I have missed going to an amusement park and did not know that they were going to be reopening so soon. It is also good to see that amusement parks are taking precautions for people to be safe and also enjoy their time at the park.
Fatima Del Carmen • May 6, 2021 at 10:23 am
Amazing article Esmeralda! Thank you for sharing with us this news! I am happy that amusement parks are starting to reopen after a long time of being closed. Even though the pandemic isn´t completely over, I am happy to see that many places are starting to reopen and go back to normal. It is awesome that we will soon be able to have fun again but with safety precautions because safety comes first!
Emerly Jaimes • May 6, 2021 at 10:22 am
I’m so excited for amusement parks to come back in action! I missed going to Universal Studios with my family and I wish I could go to other amusement parks soon. I’m glad that our safety and health are being accounted for. Great article Esme!
Victoria Gomez • May 6, 2021 at 10:18 am
This is a great article! I didn’t know that these parks were going to be opening soon. It’s great to see that things are starting to open again with the right safety measures. Everything is going to be a bit different but at least it’s starting to go back to normal.
Cesar Landaverde • May 5, 2021 at 1:52 pm
I haven’t been to an amusement park in around a year so its good to see that they are coming back. The minion cafe seems cool even though I don’t drink coffee. It’s also good to see that even though they are reopening they are still taking safety measures to ensure everyone safety.
Bryanna Rodriguez • May 5, 2021 at 1:44 pm
This is a great article! It shows that soon we will be able to have fun again by still being safe and following the theme parks covid measures.
Gabriela Santos • May 5, 2021 at 10:25 am
Thank you for posting the article. It is really informative about when and what places are reopening. As well as the precautions those places are doing in order for it to be a safe environment.
Tony Vu • May 5, 2021 at 10:24 am
This is Great informative article. I agree with Joseph Lira since I was able to go Knotts for both of their events and his statement was true. Many people wearing their mask wrong. But after Christmas I did saw they greatly had more guidelines and rule and also more employees enforce them when they see people not following.
Andoe Glaser • Apr 23, 2021 at 9:34 pm
This is a very well-written and informative article. I was unaware of how soon these parks are opening and the events that they are currently having. It was important to share what measures these parks are taking to ensure everyone’s safety.
Damon Voight • Apr 21, 2021 at 11:42 am
This is great news Esmeralda. Thanks for writing about it and reminding us of good things coming.