Hong Kong Disneyland to reopen — for the third time since the pandemic began

Much like the "Small World" song and its incessant, repeated promises of "laughter" and "hope," Hong Kong Disneyland is once again teasing fans with the possibility of actually setting foot inside the theme park.

"I could not be more thrilled to announce that our park will be reopened on February 19, to welcome guests to experience the magic of our 15th anniversary and our new Castle of Magical Dreams," said Michael Moriarty, the managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, in a news release issued Wednesday. "I want to give thanks for the support of our guests and the countless efforts from our cast members during this challenging time." Once reopened, the Chinese theme park will mandate a number of strict health and safety regulations for both cast members and guests. Among them, cast members will be required to undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing every 14 days; visitors will be required to reserve the date of their visit and make a "health declaration" during the process; guest will have to provide contact-tracing information, by scanning a QR code or registering their names; and the park will be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.