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. For those that are yet to reopen they have continued to work on their plans and implementing of measures in the parks in preparation for their reopening.

Unfortunately, for some parks a reopening is just not going to be possible in 2020. Kings Dominion, California's Great America, Carowinds and Valleyfair have officially announced this week that they will not be able to reopen for any of the remaining 2020 season. 

They have all made official statements on their websites regarding the reasons for this decision, information for current Season Passholders and what guests can look forward to in 2021.

For those parks that have reopened, due to the continuing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19  for some reduced scheduled and events are being announced, including this week from Cedar Point and Kings Island.

Kings Dominion

Kings Dominion has made the difficult decision to remain closed for the remainder of the 2020 season due to the uncertainty surrounding the current COVID-19 situation and because of the state’s Phase 3 reopening restriction of limiting the park to only 1,000 guests.

Current 2020 Season Passes and add-on products have been extended through 2021. Further to this, all 2020 Season Passholders will also receive Pass Perks Loyalty Reward which will be valid for purchases within the park during the 2021 season. 2021 Season Passes will be available to purchase from September 8, 2020.

Any guests with Pre-K Passes that were registered or activated in 2020 will be valid through 2021. An email will be sent to those affected with relevant details regarding this.

Any day tickets sold for the 2020 season will also be valid through September 6, 2021.

Kings Dominion is promising an exciting year for 2021 where guests can look forward to:

• The opening of a reimagined area in Soak City, Coconut Shores, featuring an all-new multi-level aqua play structure, a mini wave pool for kids, and a new dining experience
• The return of our popular seasonal events including the nighttime international festival Grand Carnivale; and
• New exciting dining options designed by the park’s executive chef and culinary team.

California's Great America

California's Great America has made the difficult decision not to reopen at all for any of the remainder of the 2020 season due to the continued uncertainty in the region surrounding COVID-19 as well as the diminishing number of calendar days left in the 2020 operating season.

Current 2020 Season Passes and add-on products have been extended through 2021. Further to this, all 2020 Season Passholders will also receive Pass Perks Loyalty Reward which will be valid for purchases within the park during the 2021 season. 2021 Season Passes will be available to purchase from September 8, 2020.

Any guests with Pre-K Passes that were registered or activated in 2020 will be valid through 2021. An email will be sent to those affected with relevant details regarding this.

Any day tickets sold for the 2020 season will also be valid through September 6, 2021.

California's Great America is promising an exciting year for 2021 where guests can look forward to:

• The debut of its all-new waterpark, South Bay Shores, featuring seven new water attractions, new food and shopping locations, premium cabanas and a family-friendly lagoon play area with eight kid-sized water slides—all richly themed to reflect the excitement and fun of the Northern California coast and South Bay regions.
• The return of popular seasonal events, such as Halloween Haunt, The Great Pumpkin Fest, WinterFest and more.

Carowinds

Carowinds has made the difficult decision not to reopen at all for any of the remainder of the 2020 season due to the continued uncertainty in the region surrounding COVID-19 as well as the diminishing number of calendar days left in the 2020 operating season.

Current 2020 Season Passes and add-on products have been extended through 2021. Further to this, all 2020 Season Passholders will also receive Pass Perks Loyalty Reward which will be valid for purchases within the park during the 2021 season. 2021 Season Passes will be available to purchase from September 8, 2020.

Any guests with Pre-K Passes that were registered or activated in 2020 will be valid through 2021. An email will be sent to those affected with relevant details regarding this.

Any day tickets sold for the 2020 season will also be valid through September 6, 2021.

Carowinds is promising an exciting year for 2021 where guests can look forward to:

• Boogie Board Racer, the longest mat racing slide in the Southeast, opening next summer at Carolina Harbor waterpark
• The debut of Grand Carnivale, a nighttime international festival and street party celebrating global culture in grand scale.

Valleyfair

Valleyfair has made the difficult decision not to reopen at all for any of the remainder of the 2020 season due to the continued uncertainty in the region surrounding COVID-19 as well as the diminishing number of calendar days left in the 2020 operating season.

Current 2020 Season Passes and add-on products have been extended through 2021. Further to this, all 2020 Season Passholders will also receive Pass Perks Loyalty Reward which will be valid for purchases within the park during the 2021 season. 2021 Season Passes will be available to purchase from September 8, 2020.

Any guests with Pre-K Passes that were registered or activated in 2020 will be valid through 2021. An email will be sent to those affected with relevant details regarding this.

Any day tickets sold for the 2020 season will also be valid through September 6, 2021.

Valleyfair is promising an exciting year for 2021 where guests can look forward to:

• Peanuts Celebration, a special event honoring the classic cartoons of Minnesota native Charles Schulz
• Corn Feast, the park’s longest-standing event featuring 30,000 lbs. of free corn on the cob and corn eating competitions
• The new Lakeshore Landing event space, a new Corn Cart building where guests can watch corn roasting and popping through giant glass windows, and restroom renovations for an improved guest experience.

For all the latest news from Kings Dominion, Californa's Great America, Carowinds, Valleyfair, 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...