The reopening of California’s amusement parks, big and small, has surely been a slow process, with big parks finally fully reopening by mid 2021. California has 30 amusement parks and family entertainment centers with rides.

Counties with attraction are usually placed in the top 3 risk tiers, according to the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. The disappointment of many fanatics and ride lovers because of the delay is overwhelming.

The two most popular amusement parks Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm are at a risk 2 tier, according to Governor Gavin Newsom’s Blueprints for a Safer Economy. Disneyland had to send home about 32,000 staff, Knotts having a grand total of 600, not to mention the 18 million visitors a year that Disneyland has, and the 4 million for Knotts Berry Farm. Both parks have been closed and will stay closed until, what is assumed will be the summer of 2021.

Downtown Disney District has been reopened, with some safety rules that apply for staff and visitors. Buena Vista street (the main street in California Adventure) has also reopened with social distancing guidelines for dining and shopping.

Although we are all trying our best to be understanding, it’s hard not to be disappointed. This year hit us like a truck, that taking away something that kids, teenagers, fanatics of rides and amusement lovers, well, love, kind of adds to the downgrading and overwhelming amount of negativity that has been going around almost all of 2020.

“When I first heard about theme parks closing, I thought they would maybe be closed for about 2 or 4 months so I didn’t really care much about it. Then as quarantine progressed, I noticed that the situation only grew worse so I knew that theme parks wouldn’t be opening this year. This was and still is a huge bummer to me because every year I look forward to going to a theme park,” says Antonio Orduno, a student at Mt SAC ECA who is a fan of what both these amusement parks have to offer.

There is just so much we can do, but hoping for a better New Years, is probably one we all have in common. We hope that the next year treats us well and will lift more spirits. And although Knotts Berry Farm is a lot smaller than Disneyland, they have the funnest events throughout the year. Knott’s Scary Farm and Knott’s Merry Farm best the two most popular events! Sadly, we had to miss out on both the nerve-racking and the heartwarming events of the year.

Until then, California’s big attractions and amusement parks will remain closed until further notice. Recently, Disneyland fanatics have been surprised with news about a new attraction, but are yet to have a set-in-stone date of when they can finally, truly visit “The Happiest Place on Earth.”