It signals a big shift for the nation's most populous state from just months ago, when COVID-19 cases were surging and hospitals were running out of ICU beds.
Disneyland reopens as Calif. emerges from depths
A family takes a photo in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., on Friday. ap Jae Hong
Guests walk down Main Street USA at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness. (AP Photo/Jae Hong) Jae Hong
Employee Norali (last names not given), sheds a tear as they prepare to open the gates at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness. (AP Photo/Jae Hong) Jae Hong
Four months ago, America's most populous state was struggling to combat a surge in coronavirus hospitalizations that packed patients into outdoor tents and killed hundreds of people each day. On Friday, Disneyland, California's world-famous theme park, will reopen to visitors after an unprecedented 13-month closure in what tourism officials hope is a sign of the…
Disneyland Reopens After 13-month COVID Closure
Voice of America
01 May 2021, 04:05 GMT+10
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - Four months ago, America s most populous state was struggling to combat a surge in coronavirus hospitalizations that packed patients into outdoor tents and killed hundreds of people each day.
On Friday, Disneyland, California s world-famous theme park, will reopen to visitors after an unprecedented 13-month closure in what tourism officials hope is a sign of the state s rebound from the pandemic. For now, the park is allowing only in-state visitors and operating at limited capacity. It has such a symbolic nature to really quantifying that we re finally rolling out of COVID, said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of the state tourism agency Visit California.
May 1, 2021
A family takes a photo in front of Sleeping Beauty s Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, April 30, 2021. The iconic theme park in Southern California that was closed under the state s strict virus rules swung open its gates Friday and some visitors came in cheering and screaming with happiness. (AP Photo/Jae Hong)
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Disneyland reopened to excited visitors Friday, marking a dramatic turnaround in a state that was so overwhelmed with coronavirus cases just four months ago that patients were being treated in gymnasiums and outdoor tents.
Visitors cheered and screamed with happiness as California’s world-famous theme park unlocked its gates after an unprecedented 13-month closure. Many had been gathered outside since the previous night.