Monterey Bay Aquarium reopening: Here's what you need to know before you visit

MONTEREY, Calif. (KGO) -- The Monterey Bay Aquarium is finally reopening its doors more than a year after COVID-19 forced them to shut down to the public.

The reopening of the world-renowned attraction has been hotly anticipated by families and tourists from around the Golden State and the world.

But there are some changes to how things work at the aquarium.

Here's what you need to know before you plan your visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium:

May 15 is when non-members can start visiting

The Aquarium will only be open to members until the middle of May, but then the general public will be able to come visit. But tickets for non-members will go on sale starting May 5.

You're going to need to make a reservation

Even if you are a member, you're going to need to make a reservation to visit the aquarium so that they can regulate the number of visitors to comply with COVID-19 reopening regulations. The tickets will be for specific days and times. Tickets will NOT be available at the main entrance of the aquarium. Members can reserve tickets for visits through July 31. The general public and book tickets for their visits starting May 5, at 9 a.m. (PST). Click here to make a reservation.

While the doors of the aquarium were closed to the public, a little penguin named Rey got to run free. She is so cute and so, so clumsy.

RELATED: Monterey Bay Aquarium like you've never seen it before: Through the eyes of a clumsy penguin

When the Natividad Hospital in Monterey County needed help storing the life-saving COVID-19 vaccine, the Monterey Bay Aquarium stepped up to help their community get through the pandemic.