Six Flags Magic Mountain knows a thing or two about high-speed roller coasters and the Valencia amusement park will waste no time when it reopens on the first day California theme parks can return to full operations after more than a year of coronavirus closures.
Magic Mountain will reopen for season passholders and members on April 1 and 2 before swinging open the gates to the general public on April 3, according to park officials.
“Six Flags Magic Mountain is the undisputed Thrill Capital of the World and we are excited to get our park open and our world-class collection of coasters running again,” Magic Mountain president Don McCoy said in a statement. “Our team is eager to return to work and entertain our guests in a safe environment, providing the much-needed fun and escape we have all missed this past year.”
Six Flags sister park Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo will follow a similar playbook — reopening for members on April 1, season passholders and members on April 2 and the general public on April 3.
SEE ALSO: No screaming on California roller coasters and thrill rides, state guidelines say
California theme parks have been closed since March 2020 under COVID-19 health and safety reopening guidelines issued by the state.
California theme parks can reopen on April 1 provided the counties they reside in reach the red/substantial tier 2 risk status of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s updated Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Los Angeles and Solano counties — home to Magic Mountain and Discovery Kingdom, respectively — have reached the red tier.
Starting on April 1, California theme parks can reopen at 15% attendance capacity in the red/substantial tier 2, 25% capacity in the orange/moderate tier 3 and 35% capacity in the least-restrictive yellow/minimal tier 4.
SEE ALSO: Why Six Flags isn’t worried about losing nearly 4 million members and passholders in 2020
Magic Mountain and Discovery Kingdom leapt at the chance to reopen as soon as possible under the revised state guidelines. Six Flags’ rivals have moved at a much slower pace.
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in Anaheim will reopen on April 30 — a month after the restrictions lift. Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park will wait even longer, announcing plans to return to full operations in May without specifying a date. Universal Studios Hollywood, Legoland California and SeaWorld San Diego have not announced a reopening date or time frame yet.
Discovery Kingdom’s Bay Area rival California’s Great America was the first park in the state to set a reopening date — but that won’t be until May 22. The Six Flags park in Vallejo has been partially reopened since July without roller coasters or thrill rides under the state’s zoos and aquariums COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.
Many California theme parks held food festivals and special events without rides or shows during the pandemic closures — leading to some of the delays in reopening. Magic Mountain held a series of drive-thru events while Discovery Kingdom hosted a Renaissance fair.
SEE ALSO: How California theme parks will enforce out-of-state visitors ban
Magic Mountain won’t be burdened by the state-mandated 15% ride capacity limitation placed on indoor attractions. Virtually all of the park’s rides are outdoors.
California ride enthusiasts who have been waiting more than a year to ride X2, Twisted Colossus and Tatsu will have their wish granted on April 1. Superman: Escape from Krypton — one of the fastest coasters in the world — reaches a top speed of 100 mph. West Coast Racers, the racing coaster that briefly opened in late 2020, will still be new to most visitors.
Magic Mountain and Discovery Kingdom will follow the now-familiar “new normal” of COVID-19 health and safety protocols with required masks, temperature screenings, social distancing and enhanced sanitization.
Single-day visitors, members and passholders will be required to make advance online reservations for both Six Flags parks.
from Irvine Business Signs https://ift.tt/3cEjBB2
via Irvine Sign Company
