What’s opening this month in and around OC?
Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park
The Disneyland Resorts plan to reopen on April 30, although it will operate at 15 percent capacity and initially only California residents can visit. Tickets must be reserved in advance — https://disneyland.disney.go.com will supply more details. Many favorite attractions — from Space Mountain and Star Wars to the Indiana Jones Adventure and the newly reimagined Snow White’s Enchanted Wish — will be open in both parks for guests, along with other fun surprises and priceless memories.
Laguna Art Museum
March 26 was the day that the Laguna Art Museum reopened its doors to the public. To celebrate this well-awaited occasion, LAM is extending its exhibit Wayne Thiebaud: Clowns through Oct. 24. This amusing exhibit features over 40 clown-themed artworks by the world-famous (and 100-year-old) artist. Museum capacity is at 25 percent during the Red Tier stage and timed-entry tickets are required. Go to https://lagunaartmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/ for more details and to make reservations.
Bowers Museum
The Bowers welcomes back museum-goers by extending one popular exhibit and opening a new one. Visitors now have the chance to view Inside The Walt Disney Archives all the way through June 20. The new exhibit, Treasures in Gold & Jade: Masterworks from Taiwan, showcases exquisite jade carvings and golden sculptures by two renowned Taiwanese artists. Admission will be with time-entry and at a quarter of the museum’s capacity. Learn more at http://bowers.org/visit/.
Pretend City
There’s no more pretending! Kids can come play again at Pretend City, which reopened March 27 (Wednesdays-Sundays). The museum has been busy during its hiatus, creating the Mind + Body studio, a creative space dedicated to health and wellness along with adding a child-sized service station. Families must make advance reservations for either the museum’s morning session (10 am-12 pm) or the afternoon one (1 pm-4 pm). Check out Pretend City’s visitor guidelines at www.pretendcity.org/how-to-purchase-tickets/.
Aquarium of the Pacific
It’s time again to wade into the Aquarium. Guests can explore the Aquarium’s three main areas: Southern California/Baja Gallery, Northern Pacific Gallery and Tropical Pacific Gallery, along with the nearly-brand-new Pacific Visions, which has cool features developed last spring so most people haven’t gotten to discover them. The Aquarium is limiting the number of visitors, and managing the galleries’ traffic flow. Timed-entry reservations must be made in advance. Complete details available at www.aquariumofpacific.org/visit/aquarium_safety/.
Santa Ana Zoo
In Prentice Park, families can enjoy a wild time at the Santa Ana Zoo on Wednesdays-Sundays from 10 am-4 pm. Visitors can expect to find open the Exploration Maze, Colors of the Amazon Aviary, Conservation Education Theatre, Primates, Camels, Tierra de las Pampas, Anteaters, and Crean Family Farm. However, the indoor spaces, the playground and rides, the cafe, the Goat Yard and all direct animal-contact interactions won’t be available. Website www.santaanazoo.org has additional safety protocol information.
Birch Aquarium
Inside, outside — you can wander all around the Birch Aquarium now. The Aquarium currently is operating at around 20 percent capacity and some exhibits may not be open yet. However, there are some recently added outdoor exhibits to check out, like the Marine Protected Area Touch Experience, a tropical touch experience, and a small animal nursery. Please note: There will be no in-person ticket sales. More visitor info can be found at https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/.
The Children’s Museum at La Habra
Sure it’s been fun getting an Outdoor Play Pass and enjoying creative activities outside the museum. But you experience the fun of playing inside the CMLH beginning in April. The museum plans to open their door on April 6. The week will be for CMLH members only and then the general public is invited to visit starting April 13. Head to www.lhcm.org for online ticketing, updates and visiting details.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
This baseball season, fans can again attend games at Angel Stadium. During Red Tier conditions, the team can sell up to 20 percent of its seats (around 9,000 seats at Angel Stadium). Season ticket holders probably will get first dibs; however, the team is expected to put some single-game tickets on sale too. The Angels’ MLB site (www.mlb.com/angels/tickets) is a good place to look for ticket information, although many ticket services undoubtedly will have seats too.
Casa Romantica
The San Clemente cultural center has fully reopened, both inside and outside. Visitors can enhance their experience by utilizing the new QR codes located along the self-guided tour to explore the property’s past through various videos. Tuesdays’ Kids Club and Wednesdays’ Storytime are continuing through April, and the Casa also is presenting several family-friendly events during its Spring Break Arts Week April 6-11. You’ll find event and visiting details at www.casaromantica.org.
Legoland
The park has a two-tiered reopening plan for April. Park Preview Days start on April 1, with select attractions available (including the Coastersaurus, Lego-Technic Coaster, Lost Kingdom Adventure and Cargo Ace). The full reopening, which involves the rest of the Legoland’s rides, along with Chima Water Park, and the Sea Life Aquarium, happens April 15. Operating at 15 percent capacity, the park will only be open to in-state visitors. More details at www.legoland.com/california/. And yes, advance tickets are required.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s has a plan for reopening and the plan is to do it in May. But once the park’s doors are open, guests should be ready to enjoy something special. This summer Knott’s will be celebrating its 100th anniversary with a big crop of fun festivities. Keep updated at www.knotts.com. And don’t forget that Knott’s Taste of Boysenberry Festival will be going on through May 2 (every day April 1-11 and Fridays-Sundays thereafter).
By Michael Berick
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