There you have it folks. Hopefully next summer.
President, Ken Potrock, about Disneyland Resort.
STATEMENT FROM KEN POTROCK, PRESIDENT, DISNEYLAND RESORT
We have proven that we can responsibly reopen, with science-based health and safety protocols strictly enforced at our theme park properties around the world. Nevertheless, the State of California continues to ignore this fact, instead mandating arbitrary guidelines that it knows are unworkable and that hold us to a standard vastly different from other reopened businesses and state-operated facilities. Together with our labor unions we want to get people back to work, but these State guidelines will keep us shuttered for the foreseeable future, forcing thousands more people out of work, leading to the inevitable closure of small family-owned businesses, and irreparably devastating the Anaheim/Southern California community.
Also sharing a few additional assets for your stories:
- Local Anaheim business testimonials on ReopenOCNow.com: https://reopenocnow.com/testimonials/
- (Attached) – Statement from Erin Guerrero, Executive Director of the California Attractions and Parks Association
- (Below) – Quotes from Dr. Clayton Chau, Director, Orange County Health Care Agency (Board of Supervisors Meeting, Oct. 20, 2020)
QUOTES FROM DR. CLAYTON CHAU, DIRECTOR, ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH CARE AGENCY
“I think for a large county like us, especially a county with institution of higher education where folks [are] coming in from outside the county and outside the state, I think it’s going to be very hard to achieve the yellow tier.”
“It depends on when the vaccine will come as well as how many doses [are] available for our populations as well as how many of our residents will readily accept the vaccine – those are the three factors that will determine how soon we can get to the yellow tier.”
“Personally, I think that we can look forward to a yellow tier by next summer, hopefully. Hopefully.”
Erin Guerrero, Executive Director, California Attractions and Parks Association
10.20.2020
“To say today’s announcement on theme parks is disappointing would be a grave understatement. The
Governor has not used science or data to inform his decision. Theme parks have opened and operated
safely around the world for months. Data and science prove that theme parks can operate responsibly
anywhere – there is no rational reason to believe they can’t do so in California. No one cares more about
park employee and guest safety than the parks themselves.
“Let me be unequivocal– the guidance issued by the Newsom Administration will keep theme parks
shuttered for the foreseeable future. By forcing amusement parks to stay closed until their home county
reaches Tier 4, the Governor has issued a “Keep Theme Parks Closed Indefinitely” Plan which will
devastate California’s major theme park industry.
“This plan prolongs unemployment for tens of thousands of people, hastens bankruptcy for families and
small business owners adjacent to parks, and contributes to insolvency for local governments whose
budgets rely on parks as an anchor economic driver.
“While we appreciate the more nuanced approach in the guidance for smaller theme parks, keeping
California’s larger parks closed is unfair and unreasonable. Based on the responsible reopening of parks in
other countries and states, science and data do not support the indefinite closure of this iconic industry in
California.
“Responsibly reopening amusement parks on a reasonable timeline can and should be done while we
fight this pandemic – the two are not mutually exclusive. California’s theme parks and their phenomenal
workforce are ready to reopen responsibly. Parks’ loyal guests are ready and the communities and local
governments surrounding the parks are ready. We urge Governor Newsom to revise this guidance to
allow for a reasonable and responsible reopening of California’s signature theme park industry in Tier 3.”
