To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit.

Disneyland has made a LOT of history in its time, but who could have predicted that the park would be forced to close for over an entire year? Since reopening, Disneyland has introduced a new attraction, brought back some classic festivals, and introduced new characters to the park. Although Disneyland has been open since late April 2021, the resort isn’t operating quite like it did before the pandemic.

During the phased reopening process, Disneyland has seen some major changes in its parks and resorts. While the health and safety guidelines continue to change, there are plenty of other operational changes both guests and Cast Members have had to contend with as Disneyland reopened.

Recently, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock commented on the park’s reopening process and how the 412-day closure impacted the resort.

Disneyland’s one-year reopening anniversary is set for late April 2022. While the park has brought back quite a few of its major offerings, Potrock explained that Disneyland “has only just reached the halfway point of an extended phased reopening,” noting that the park will need “another year needed before operations fully return to pre-pandemic levels,” according to The Orange County Register.

This is in part due to the fact that Disneyland’s staff level was cut “from a pre-pandemic level of 32,000 to a low of 2,000 due to furloughs and layoffs.” Since then, The Orange County Register stated that Disneyland rehired and hired 28,000 Cast Members since reopening, bringing the total to about 30,000 current working Cast Members. 

As the park continues to return to its pre-pandemic status, Potrock explained that the process hasn’t been 100% perfect. Potrock said, “I tell the team again and again, ‘We’re going to try stuff and I’m OK if we don’t get it perfect right away,’” according to The Orange County Register.

Referencing the roughly 10,000 new Cast Members Disneyland has hired since reopening, Potrock stated, “We’re never going to be back to where we were until those 10,000 people truly have it in their DNA as to what their role and what their mission is as we begin to go forward.”

As we approach the one-year anniversary, we’ll continue to look out for more theme park updates and Disney news, so stay tuned! In the meantime, check out our other posts on Disneyland and all there is to see in do in Anaheim California!

DATE Announced for the Return of Traditional Character Meet-and-Greets at Disneyland Resort

Have you been to Disneyland since it reopened? Let us know in the comments!

The post NEWS: Disneyland President Says Park is Only At Halfway Point of Reopening first appeared on the disney food blog.