Covid-19 has wreaked havoc across America and the world at large. The first cases of coronavirus were reported in January 2020, and ten of the initial cases were in California.

Influenza was hitting hard in the Bay Area, and this made it harder to distinguish which patients were suffering from a yet-to-be-discovered virus and the usual flu. From these accounts, it is clear that Covid-19 was spreading unheeded. By February 2020, the CDC confirmed that community spread had begun.

Latest data from the New York Times show that California has recorded 5.09 million Covid-19 cases and over 74,000 fatalities. The state is implementing safety protocols to curb the spread and save lives. Mask mandates, pushing exposure notifications, workplace safety, free testing, and vaccinations are some of the Covid-19 protocols in place.

With that in mind, you might be asking yourself whether you need to be vaccinated to go to Disneyland, California. Read on to find out and why not check out our guide to the best hotels near Disneyland?

Table of Contents:

Vaccination in California

The state recognizes that vaccination is the best weapon against Covid-19 and the mutations that keep cropping up locally and abroad. Any person aged five and older is eligible for vaccination at no cost. Insurance cover or immigration status are not important factors here; anyone can and should get vaccinated.

Parents who are reluctant to have their kids vaccinated can rest assured that no harm will arise from these jabs. Kids aged 12 and older can safely get Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine, and a lower dose is safe for children aged five and above.

While naysayers claim that vaccines are harmful, science proves that Covid-19 vaccines teach your immune system how to fend off this virus. It takes several weeks for this immunity boost to happen, which means you must protect yourself from exposure.

Vaccines are effective in fending off other variants like Delta and possibly the latest one Omicron. Since the rollout of vaccines, hospitalization cases and deaths have declined in every state. Nevertheless, people with compromised immune systems and who have active prescriptions of immunosuppressive drugs may not be fully protected by vaccines.

Vaccination Mandates for Theme Parks

California recommends that all persons entering theme parks be fully vaccinated and have a negative Covid-19 test in the past twenty-four hours. However, guests don’t have to show proof of vaccination when entering theme parks like Disneyland Resort.

All visitors aged two and older must wear face coverings while visiting indoor spaces, using enclosed transportation like buses or taxis, and on several tourist attractions. Please note, being partially or fully vaccinated does not exempt one from these mandates.

It is prudent for persons aged 18 and older to get booster shots before visiting high-risk areas like theme parks during holiday festivities. People who got a Pfizer or Moderna jabs are eligible for booster shots after six months and those who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after two months.

If a different vaccine brand is available, you can still take it, provided you completed the required dosage of the previous vaccine.

Do I Need a Booster Shot to Visit Disneyland?

A booster shot is currently not required for Disneyworld, but many guests may want to consider getting one if they haven’t already. The World Health Organization acknowledges that the fight against Covid-19 is far from over, and that is why they recommend every eligible person to get their preferred choice of the vaccine.

In addition, booster shots are highly recommended for people with compromised immunities. The first two jabs may not be adequate in keeping them safe, as is the case with their healthy counterparts.

Another persuasive reason for getting a booster shot is that the immunity levels obtained from the first shots start to wane, thus necessitating another dose. For now, however, research indicates that vaccines are holding up well in safeguarding people from the virus.

Changes or mutations in the genetic composition of coronavirus are triggering the advent of new variants. Omicron is the latest strain discovered after a surge in new Covid-19 cases in South Africa. It has quickly become a variant of concern due to its high rates of infection, and that is why booster shots are necessary.

If you are fully vaccinated and wish to protect yourself ahead of visiting Disneyland, please go ahead and get a booster shot.

Other Covid-19 Protocols for Theme Parks

Apart from asking guests to get vaccinated, there are other safety measures in place at theme parks like Disneyland Resort. Themed Entertainment Association/AECOM derives that 18.7 million visitors graced this world-renowned park in 2019, a year before the pandemic struck.

Disneyland reopened on April 30 with limited capacity as a way of curbing the spread. The possibility of contracting Covid-19 evokes fear, so many ardent fans will continue to stay away.

If you are vaccinated and yearn to explore your sense of adventure, adhere to all Covid-19 protocols, and you will be fine. For instance, guests in outdoor areas can choose to adorn face coverings or not, without any repercussions.

There are no on-site temperature checks, and guests are free to “self-determine” social distancing as they roam around the various parks. As expected, some parks have reduced capacity and demand temperature checks upon entry.

Other parks like Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong require guests to wear masks throughout, regardless of their vaccination status. The Paris Disney parks only require masks for persons aged 11 and above.

Limited Attractions at Disneyland

Please beware that certain attractions may be closed off to visitors or have limited availability.

It is not all doom and gloom. Covid-19 has spurred creative problem solving so life can resume normalcy, new virus outbreaks notwithstanding. As such, some attractions, hotels, restaurants, and other offerings have been modified to suit the prevailing circumstances.

The company had to suspend the Disneyland annual pass program due to the ravaging virus. There are over one million pass holders, and these fans will no longer get advance virtual reservations until further notice.

Final Note

In a nutshell, visitors are strongly urged to get vaccinated before visiting Disneyland. You don’t need to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test to be allowed entry. But failure to comply with Covid protocols as they are rolled out will bar you from the park. Guests must also present same-day tickets or reservations for the particular parks they wish to visit.

Do you need help planning your family trip to Disneyland California? Our top tips will help you every step of the way.

Facebook X Reddit

More about our TFVG Author

Author Profile

James Brockbank

Founder at The Family Vacation Guide

A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.

Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.

Additional menu