New 'Stay Home' Order Takes Effect in Southern California

December 5, 2020, 7:34 PM · The state of California's new Regional Stay Home order will go into effect at the end of the day on Sunday, as ICU capacity in the 11-county region has dropped below the prescribed 15 percent.

The new rules bar restaurants from serving guests on site, even outdoors, further limits retail capacity, and closes zoos, aquariums, and museums. As a result, many Southern California theme parks that had resumed limited operations will be forced to cut back those operations.

The Disneyland Resort has announced that it will close its restaurants inside Disney California Adventure that had been operating as part of the expansion of Downtown Disney into the park's Buena Vista Street. Third-party restaurants elsewhere in Downtown Disney will close everything but their take-out counters, and food purchased at Downtown Disney will be packed to be consumed off site.

Disneyland will return more than 300 cast members to furlough as a result of the closure, though the resort has said that it plans to open more retail locations within the parks to expand capacity in the weeks ahead. For now, retail and take-out restaurant counters at Downtown Disney will continue to operate from 9am-9pm daily, though hours may vary for individual locations.

Knott's Berry Farm said Saturday that its Taste of Knott's Merry Farm event will go on Sunday, but that it will update the event's schedule early next week. The park has removed event tasting cards from sale through December 28, which is the first date that the three-week Stay Home order may be lifted. However, if ICU capacity does not improve in the region, the order will remain in place. (Monday Update: The event cancelation is now official.)

As we noted earlier this week, Universal Studios Hollywood has no in-park operations, and food service locations in CityWalk have been forced to go to takeout only since Los Angeles County banned outdoor dining last month.

Sunday Update: SeaWorld San Diego announced Sunday morning that it will close to the public as of Monday, due to the Stay Home order. Animal care will continue at the park, and guests who have booked holiday events should await word on rescheduling or refunds.

* * *
We wanted you to read this article before we make our newsletter pitch, unlike so many other websites. If you appreciate that — and our approach to covering theme park news — please sign up for our free, three-times-a-week email newsletter. Thank you.

Replies (9)

December 5, 2020 at 8:28 PM

Robert, I get the sad feeling you may need to shut down comments on this one.....

December 5, 2020 at 11:34 PM

I mean he didn't allow comments on his Trump post... so.


Don't @ me, I just don't like moves to censor any type of speech, whether it's right or left speech.

December 6, 2020 at 12:02 AM

True but recall he did one on cultural history after Splash Mountain change was announced....and within two hours he was cutting off as "allowing comments here was a mistake." Just see other threads with blatant name-calling around.

December 6, 2020 at 1:13 AM

Citywalk has been on a take out only since Thanksgiving and they’re serious about it. No drinking or eating is allowed on premises: Either take it to your car or home.

December 6, 2020 at 2:15 AM

Its a shame hospitalizations are so high, and as much as I think many of California’s restrictions are overboard, this decision is hard but necessary. Hopefully those people can recover and go home, and restrictions can be lifted soon. Although with Christmas coming up, I fear it will only get worse.

December 6, 2020 at 8:50 AM

And how have the operations at the French Laundry been effected? Is it take out only? Do any changes also impact deep-pocketed lobbyists that donate to the Governor's political interests as well?

December 6, 2020 at 9:14 AM

It’s government “governing” people vs. people governing themselves. Two different ideologies and we know where California stands.

December 6, 2020 at 10:49 AM

Maybe if people didn't "govern themselves" as idiots, government wouldn't have to be so hard on this.

Vacation deals

Park tickets

Subscribe by email

Subscribe by RSS

New attraction reviews

News archive