Photos show large, maskless crowds filling Disneyland for the first time in over a year

• Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is now increasing capacity and welcoming out-of-state visitors.

• Photos taken at the park Tuesday show crowds waiting to enter, smiling parkgoers on rides, and more.

• Fully vaccinated visitors were not required to wear masks or social distance.

• Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Tuesday marks the first day Disneyland has allowed out-of-state visitors to visit since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020.

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Christy Foster from Sacramento, California, photographed some of the lines that formed to enter the theme park on Tuesday morning. She told Insider that the “large crowds” reminded her of Disneyland “at Christmas time.”

Many of those visiting Disneyland on Tuesday went without masks, as the theme park is no longer requiring face coverings throughout its theme park.

Source: Insider

One of those parkgoers was Dakota Arbolado. He posed in his mask at the start of his trip, but told Insider that he was choosing not to wear one afterward because he’s fully vaccinated and feels Disneyland “is doing their part and keeping the parks sanitary and clean.”

Foster, on the other hand, noted that it was “a little scary” to enter the theme park today, but said she’s also confident in the safety precautions Disneyland has taken.

Rebecca Ohanian from Los Angeles, who visited Disneyland on Tuesday with her family, told Insider she also chose to forgo her mask because she’s vaccinated. “My kids are without masks too. We aren’t indoors for long anyway,” she said.

As visitors were let into the theme park on Tuesday, many of the early morning crowds dispersed.

Ohanian told Insider that lines on Tuesday have been “short” with “almost no wait.” She was able to ride the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and order some beignets at the start of her visit.

Foster also noted short lines on rides like Splash Mountain, where she said parkgoers ditched their masks. Disney employees, however, continued to wear them.

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After Foster rode the water ride, she pointed out that crowds were still slim – even without social-distancing measures in place.

The Disney fans who spoke with Insider on Tuesday said they expected crowds to increase throughout the day. Still, they all agreed that Disneyland opened with a smooth start.

“It looks fairly busy but there are no lines so far,” Ohanian said. She added that it’s her first time back at Disneyland since the pandemic started and that it “feels amazing.”

“I couldn’t wait for normal to come back,” Foster added. “I’ve been very cautious during the pandemic, but it’s nice to be here. It feels like coming home.”

Correction: June 16, 2021: This article previously stated that Disneyland is back to operating at full capacity. The state of California is allowing theme parks to open at full capacity, but Disneyland has not done so yet. It’s gradually increasing its number of daily visitors.

Read the original article on Insider