The COVID-19 pandemic has caused massive impact across the world this year. The 2020 theme park season has been severely disrupted with closures across the globe in March and a staggered reopening for those where government guidelines allowed it starting in June.

All theme parks that have reopened have extensive new health and safety guidelines and measures in place to ensure they are as safe as possible for employees and guests as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Theme parks began to reopen their gates back in June with Universal Orlando, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens as well as a selection of Six Flags Parks. Walt Disney World begun its phased reopening on July 9.

Unfortunately for some theme parks, they will not be reopening at all during the remainder of the 2020 season. This includes Kings Dominion, California's Great America, Carowinds and Valleyfair.

Cedar Point began its phased reopening on July 9 with Kings Island reopening slightly earlier on July 2 for Season Passholders. With the continuing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 Cedar Point and Kings Island have now announced confirmed plans for the remainder of the 2020 season including slimmed down Halloween events, reduced hours and operating schedule and closing dates.

Cedar Point

Due to the continued uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 Cedar Point has had to make a number of decisions regarding how and when it operates for the rest of the 2020 season. 

For 2020 only, it will be hosting a new family slimmed down Halloween event named "Tricks and Treats Fall Fest", which will take the place of its HalloWeekends. This event will begin on September 12 and will have food, activities and entertainment for a range of ages. More information will be announced in the coming weeks so check out their offical site for updates on this.

There have been rumors over the last few weeks that Cedar Point would close after Labor day as on their official calendar the park was labelled as closed from September 8. Cedar Point has now announced that Post Labor Day, the park will be open on Saturdays and Sundays only and the last day it will operate in the 2020 season will be Sunday November 1.

For any one who has purchased a 2020 Season Pass, those and add-on products have been extended through 2021 season. Season Passes for 2021 will be available for purchase beginning September 8, 2020.

2021 is set to be an exciting year for Cedar Point with the following things promised for guests to enjoy:

• Rescheduled 150th Anniversary Celebration
• The Snake River Expedition family adventure ride
• The Celebrate 150 Spectacular parade and street party
• The continuation of the Ticket of a Lifetime contest, with new opportunities to win while inside the park.

Kings Island

Due to the continued uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 Kings Island has also had to make a number of decisions regarding how and when it operates for the rest of the 2020 season.

Kings Island have had to make the difficult decsion to cancel both its Halloween Haunt and Winterfest. The Halloween Haunt will be replaced with a new family slimmed down Halloween event named "Tricks and Treats Fall Fest". This event will begin on September 26 featuring rides, unique food, activities and entertainment for a range of ages. More information will be announced in the coming weeks so check out their official site for updates on this.

All 2020 Season Passes and add-on products have been extended through 2021 season and 2021 Season Passes will go on sale on September 8, 2020.

Kings Island have included in the announcement that the park will be open on select dates in the fall but have not released the calendar as of yet. From August 17 they will be closed weekdays and will just open on Saturdays and Sundays so it is likely something similar may continue into September and beyond.To keep updated on these dates visit their official site where the fall calendar is promised to be released soon.

2021 is set to be an exciting year for Kings Island with the following things promised for guests to enjoy:

• The return of hallmark events like Grand Carnivale, Halloween Haunt and WinterFest.
• Continue to experience Orion, one of only seven giga coasters on the planet, and its 300 feet first drop at speeds up to 91 mph.

For all the latest news from Cedar Point, Kings Island, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and all other theme parks in the US and around the World, by checking out our News Page and Facebook Page.

To read two of our top articles this week, click on one of the links in the content box below, and if you click on page 2, you can find out what else Theme Park Tourist has to offer to help you plan for your next theme park trip. We have also included links to the results article for our most recent Big Debates and listed our new featured articles for you to check out...