News Surge of international travelers coming to Disneyland & other California theme parks

[Mr Wiggins]

Sorry, MK holders -- guess who won't be told "sorry, no reservation spaces remain."


OC Register: Surge of international travelers coming to Disneyland and other California theme parks

by Brady MacDonald
October 27, 2021

International visitors will soon return to Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood and other California theme parks once the United States lifts a travel ban that has been in place throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United States will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated international travelers on Nov. 8.

International visitors arriving by air to the United States will need to show proof of vaccination and the negative results of a recent COVID-19 test.

The U.S. will accept international travelers who have received the Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson or any COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization. Children under 18 years old and visitors with some medical issues are exempt from the vaccine requirements, but still need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

The reopening of U.S. borders to vaccinated visitors has ignited a surge in travel searches and bookings, according to Visit California, the state’s travel and tourism commission.

British Airways reported a 700% increase in searches for trips to the Los Angeles area following the announcement about the reopening of U.S. borders to international travelers, according to Visit California.

The return of international travel is expected to be a boon to the major U.S. theme park hubs in Southern California and Central Florida.

“Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort are thrilled to welcome back our international visitors and are excited for them to enjoy their favorite experiences, rides and attractions across our theme park destinations,” a Universal Studios Hollywood spokesperson said via email.

The majority of SeaWorld San Diego’s pre-pandemic international visitors came from Mexico and China, according to park officials. SeaWorld expects to see visitors from Mexico return first followed by travelers from further away in the spring.

Before the pandemic, international visitors accounted for 12% of all tourism spending in Anaheim and 33% in Orange County, according to Visit California.

“With Orange County welcoming 4.6 million international visitors in 2019, it underscores the economic power of international travel and the role it will play in Anaheim’s economic recovery,” Visit Anaheim Chief Sales Officer Junior Tauvaa said in a statement released by the nonprofit organization. “Home to world-class theme parks and shopping, Anaheim and Orange County will continue to be a strong draw for international visitors.”

International visitors spent $28 billion in California in 2019, according to Visit California. Travelers from abroad spend more, stay longer and travel midweek and during off-peak seasons — making them the state’s most lucrative guests....



Full story at the link above.

[Starcade]

Well fortunately International travelers rarely have Knott's on their radar as that is where we have been spending our theme park budget. Lines are long but the atmosphere is fun and the roller coasters are a nice change and my kids are finding them more desirable than dark rides. Oh and for $400.00 my family can go anytime for a year. Plus, so far the food at Knotts has been better than DLR.

Curious to see how much this actually works out in the end for DLR as often hype outpaces the reality of predicted large dollar purchases. I am sure if one based home futures off Zillow searches you would not quite get accurate assessment of the real story. From what I understand just like younger Americans love to "window shop for houses" many outside our country do the same with vacations going as far as to book trips to the point of needing to enter payment info and then bailing at that point.

[Eagleman]

Well fortunately International travelers rarely have Knott's on their radar as that is where we have spending our Theme park budget.

Knott's Berry Farm - have always. been more of a Local Park.....than Disneyland
But.....I still love the place - for it's Friendly Atmosphere, Shops and Food.
As well for the "FUN"

I been lucky that Disneyland and Knott's ,has been in backyard as I been growing up.

Sadly Disneyland is now turning me off...
Let other enjoy (if they can)the place.

[InTheRealm]

Gosh….Guys. I didn’t become an APer for weekends, holidays. I did for health issues, and best for me to ride “gentle” rides. I was not fully aware of how Disney changed to mobile, pre-register for everything thing. I was deciding on twice a year 3-day park hopper passes or AP. Just did AP, as I thought less hassle. I understood that access would be by availability, depending on which “bucket “ you were in. It is very confusing for a non-tech person, I came here for help.….did not know AP’s were not liked.

Knott’s is good. I liked being able to buy separate season passes for Camp Snoopy, Soak City. Pick up chicken dinners and fig preserves. ( fig is no longer available) The rides were too much for me…even though my roommate worked there to make rent while attending college. Pink’s is there, but I prefer Portillo’s across the way.

I need to stay close to home at least for this year.

Magic Mountain was a fave during my teen, college days. What a drive! Now they have The outlets in Camarillo and Strawberry festival in Oxnard. So more accustomed to drive.

Universal City by Burbank , means driving through LA… too much traffic. Did see Elton John at Amphitheater.

I visit most botanical gardens, South Coast, LA Arboretum, Huntington Library. Have hiked Chantry Flats, and other local trails, J tree…etc…

Normally visit Cambria, Moro Bay,Monterey, Big Sur , coastal redwoods…and then across to the Sequoia’s. And places in between.

Great tips here, thanks for that.

[Eagleman]

I visit most botanical gardens, South Coast, LA Arboretum, Huntington Library. Have hiked Chantry Flats, and other local trails, J tree…etc…

Normally visit Cambria, Moro Bay, Monterey, Big Sur , coastal redwoods…and then across to the Sequoia’s. And places in between.

GEEEEEEE
I love all these place's !
Long with with mission's- Great and pretty place's in California
There more to see than Disney.