As part of a new campaign called ReopenOC Now, the Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu made an impassioned plea to California Governor Gavin Newsom to provide reopening guidelines to the theme parks that prop up the Anaheim economy.
In the ReopenOC Now press conference, Sidhu noted that Newsom has issued reopening guidance for a variety of segments of society – from nail salons to schools to places of worship, but has failed to issue guidance for theme parks.
Sidhu notes that Disney will survive the extended closure of Disneyland, but that tens of thousands of people and numerous businesses are struggling. With Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT and the Avengers Campus construction as his backdrop, Sidhu calls on Governor Newsom to visit Anaheim to see the economic impact of having Disneyland closed in person. While motioning to the city around him, Sidhu said “it’s a disaster right here! All the businesses are closed here. How long are you going to keep us closed? Give us the guidelines!”
With this latest plea from the Anaheim Mayor, the public pressure on Newsom is building to a boiling point. Even Disneyland President Ken Potrock made a public statement, saying that Disneyland is disappointed in Newsom’s failure to provide guidance. You can watch the full ReopenOC Now press conference below.
Disneyland is much more than a theme park to the city of Anaheim and the state of California. The economic impact of an open Disneyland resort is $8.5 billion in economic activity in the Southern California region and Disneyland pays more than $500 million in state and local taxes. The Disneyland Resort generated over 78,000 jobs before the COVID-19 pandemic, accounting for 3.6% of all jobs in Orange County California. Jobs generated by the Disneyland Resort
Walt Disney World has been open in Orlando, FL for over two months now, and local officials have yet to link a COVID-19 outbreak to the theme parks despite combing over the data to search for one. Disney World has, in our opinion, been the industry leader in safety at the theme parks, even recently issuing a ban to a guest who refused to follow the mandatory mask rules. Disney World has also implemented physical distancing throughout the parks and is limiting capacity via a theme park reservation system.
Governor Gavin Newsom has teased a reopening announcement, but failed to provide any specifics.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
California has ALWAYS been about the government first.
Look at their homeless population. Their taxation on everything. They could care less about the well being of employees because if they can keep them poor… they will simply blame Disney or other companies for this (ignoring how their own policies really caused this)… make them feel like victims… and promise them unemployment benefits for their vote.
Me thinks the governor may be dealing with more pressing issues like the giant wildfires going on throughout the state… Just sayin’…