Disney World Closing Due to Coronavirus
Walt Disney World is closing all of its Florida theme parks due to the coronavirus outbreak, the company has announced. This comes after an onslaught of cancellations and closures today.
This includes the closure of Disneyland Resort in California, which was announced earlier in the day. Previously, Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland all have closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This story is still breaking, and thus far all we have is an official statement from Disney that was released via the company’s subsidiary ABC News:
“In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort, beginning at the close of business on Sunday, March 15, through the end of the month.
Disney Cruise Line will suspend all new departures beginning Saturday, March 14, through the end of the month.
The Walt Disney Company will pay its Cast Members during that closure period.
The hotels at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris will remain open until further notice. The retail and dining complexes, Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and Disney Village at Disneyland Paris, will remain open.
Domestic Walt Disney Company employees who are able to work from home are being asked to do so, including those at the Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Television, ESPN, Direct-to-Consumer, and Parks, Experiences and Products.
We will continue to stay in close contact with appropriate officials and health experts.”
Let’s start with the silver lining here, which is that Walt Disney World will continue to pay Cast Members while the parks are closed. As the largest single-site employer in the entire United States, it would’ve been devastating to many families in Central Florida to have to ride out the closure without income.
Between closures and cancellations, this is already going to take a heavy economic toll on Central Florida, and one that will ripple far beyond just the parks. The entire tourism industry will be impacted, including a number of smaller businesses that cannot sustain a prolonged hit the way Disney can. (On a tangential note, we’d expect all other Florida theme and amusement parks to follow Disney’s lead and announce their own closures within the next day.)
At least Cast Members are being paid during the downtime. Huge kudos to Walt Disney World for that.
You might notice that the rest of the announcement is incredibly vague, with a lot of details still to be determined. It wouldn’t surprise us if this closure mandate came from on high in Burbank, with leadership in Florida blindsided and left scrambling to figure out how to pick up the pieces.
Suffice to say, right now the phone lines are totally jammed and even if you do get through, you might speak with a Cast Member who isn’t totally sure of what’s going on. If you’re not traveling within the next 2-3 days, we’d encourage patience. Walt Disney World will release more details as they’re ironed out. Take a deep breath, be patient, and save yourself the headache of being on hold over the phone for hours.
The move to close Walt Disney World follows a press conference during which Florida Governor Ron DeSantis strongly recommended all mass gatherings be postponed, saying he did not have the authority to require them to be canceled. Health officials say they currently consider mass gatherings to be more than 250 people.
After previously declaring a state of emergency, Governor Ron DeSantis strongly advised municipalities and businesses to limit or postpone events and limit non-essential travel as concerns spiked over the new coronavirus, which stood at 27 cases statewide including a man testing positive at a Palm Beach airport.
At the news conference, Govern Ron DeSantis stated, “I am recommending to local municipalities and private entities to strongly considering limiting or postponing mass gatherings…I think taking proactive measures will help us flatten the curve of this as people get exposed.”
Once Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris close, no Disney theme parks will be operating anywhere in the world. Shanghai Disneyland is in the process of resuming operations, but the park itself has not yet reopened.
As we’ve noted with previous closures, the current end date for Walt Disney World’s closure is very much tentative. Do not expect the parks to reopen at the beginning of April 2020, in time for Easter, or whatever your Spring 2020 travel dates might be.
Walt Disney World and Disneyland are both taking an incremental approach to these closures, announcing something near-term with the intention of reevaluating the coronavirus situation in a couple of weeks and making a determination about reopening then. We’ve already seen the closure of Tokyo Disney Resort extended, and there’s absolutely no reason to believe Walt Disney World will be different.
In terms of commentary beyond that…we really don’t have much to offer. This will have a bunch of long-term ramifications, ranging from crowd calendars to construction…and much more. However, those are a range of topics for another day.
Right now, we’re honestly still sitting here in shock. (Even though the source was ABC News, I triple-checked to confirm this was legit.) Despite Disneyland closing earlier today and the belief that Walt Disney World closing was an inevitability at that point, we didn’t expect this to come so soon.
It’s a bold move, but Disney along with other businesses deserve credit for prioritizing public health above profits. Even in the last couple of days, Walt Disney World has not seen any attendance downturn. The company probably could’ve hesitated on closing Walt Disney World for another week–perhaps more–without facing public backlash or negative press if a coronavirus case emerged that was tied to the theme parks. While this will undoubtedly leave a lot of disappointed and upset guests, it’s hard to fault Walt Disney World for making this difficult decision.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you surprised that Walt Disney World is closing due to the coronavirus pandemic, or do you think it’s overdue? Will this impact your spring break or other vacation plans? Did you cancel your WDW trip prior to this announcement, or were you in ‘wait and see’ mode? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Has anyone gotten a hold of Disney to find out if they still have the resorts open. I have seen mixed reviews I know they’re open now so that people that are there have a place to stay until they are able to get flights out ect. We are scheduled to do a hotel only stay next week.
There is currently no plan (at least not publicized) to close the resorts. My guess is they likely wouldn’t close all resorts fully unless it ends up significantly extended
The message on their website says that if you’re not already checked in for stays between Mar. 16-EOM you need to reschedule or cancel.
Any predictions for mid-June?
I am grateful they will still pay their cast members. That is really awesome! (Although, in some ways, I would expect them to.) Hopefully we get this figured out and let’s not panic in the meantime
I wonder if the closure will extend to construction, repairs, maintenance, etc. A silver lining could be the opportunity to carry out much needed maintenance and even expedite construction projects without having to worry about impacting guest experience.
Agreed!
Our trip is scheduled for 4/4 through 4/10. We are going to try to reschedule for the early fall. Most likely the parks will remain closed through the Easter holiday. We will have to add our daughter onto our reservation since her band trip to Disney World was cancelled by our school district. Hoping Disney will allow us to add her onto our package reservation by just transferring over her park tickets and adding dining plan for her and it not costing as much more if anything since rates are cheaper in September.
We were booked for 6th April. Although I know disney and universal are likely to give refunds or modifications. Does anyone know where I would stand with a refund from cirque de soleil Drawn to Life? I am unable to find an email through which I could contact them. If we cant go to Disney and I move my holiday dates because of closures, and the state have said no gatherings of over 250…will I get my money back?? How would I apply for it???
I would reach out to Cirque du Soleil directly. It looks like their email is [email protected] or you can call the number for the individual show:
https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/contact-us
Thanks. I will try those addresses.
Let us know how you make out, I just got off the phone with Cirque Du Soleil, our tickets are for 3/25, and they said no refunds! Needless to say, I am very disappointed.
I should have elaborated, they said “no refunds, no rescheduling.” I would have been okay with a reschedule. The tickets were $343 with fees and taxes so I am not okay with nothing!
That is very disappointing. Especially as international guests have no options. I wonder if that policy will change if they have to shut down performances?? The auditorium hold more that 250 people right?? I sent an email and no response yet. Disney are asking guests travelling in April to call back. So our holiday still hanging in the balance.
Ridiculous! I bet if they get enough push-back they’ll adjust their policy. Or out of good business! I mean Broadway here in NYC shut down and they are refunding everyone!
Yup. Just minutes ago I received my refund on my “Plaza Suite” Broadway tickets for Monday night. CarRentals.com, on the other hand, will not refund a dime of my prepaid car rental. I’ll never use them again.
Seeing as Drawn to Life is in conjunction with Disney maybe enough noise will help to change their policy. I paid over $300 dollars for the tickets (And that was not the most expensive in the house) I don’t understand how cirque de soleil is still operating. I know their in Disney Springs. But are they exempt from the latest restrictions?
@Kelly D, same here with Expedia. If it’s one thing this all taught me was to not deal with 3rd party. Easier to deal direct. I used Expedia to book a flight that leaves tomorrow. Decided not to go but couldn’t get a hold of them all day to cancel/change the flight via phone or chat. Like nothing was working, not a long wait, just not working. And I couldn’t do it through their website because of a glitch. I called American Airlines directly and waited 2hrs before I got someone but she gave me a credit to use on a future booking. If I did it with Expedia it would have been a credit with them to book another AA flight. The AA rep said typically I’d have to go through Expedia but because of the circumstances they have been helping their clients. All this to say, did you try calling the car rental company directly? May as well try.
MontreaLady, I learned the hard way with Expedia a few years back. I had an Expedia confirmation code for a hotel in Vermont, but the hotel would not recognize it at check in. They told me that they had never accepted the reservation request from Expedia and that I shouldn’t have received a confirmation email. Expedia told me that individual hotel operators have the right to cancel any reservations and that they couldn’t help me. I stayed on the phone through multiple levels of supervisors and all they ended up doing for me was helping me to book a room for that night. They made me pay the significant cost difference, despite the fact that I made no error, and the replacement hotel was not as nice as the original. Not once did anyone I spoke with offer me an apology. I have never used them again and never will.
My kids were supposed to march in the parade at Disney World in 11 days with their high school marching band, along with a bus trip to and from, and spending the week there with their friends.
I personally feel this is all an over-reaction.
You will regret that comment when someone you know ends up in the hospital with this. I’m glad you’re not in charge of anything.
Seriously? An over reaction? People are dying! Closing amusement parks, cancelling parades, sports game and all social events are the only way this horrible, worst than the flu virus is going to wind down. I for one applaud Disney for closing their parks. So many people don’t care that attending crowded events and parks are just putting more people in jeopardy and some will die! They are totally selfish. This way, they don’t have the chance to spread and kill innocent people.
Glad to know your kid is more important than the health of cast members and residents of Central Florida, many of whom are high-risk because of the population demographics. Spoiler alert: there’s a reason most of us locals dislike self-absorbed tourists who think their vacation is more important than anyone else.
Yeah your poor precious children. Wake up and actually open your eyes to what is happening. Your own government down there is finally waking up to the reality. Do you part by staying home and away from crowds for 2 weeks. Actually come up with ways to interact with your children. Board games, getting out into the nature, you know things kids and people once did.
I don’t get the venom that is being spewed at this dad. You all must be quarantined at home with nothing better to do than put other people down or maybe that’s how you always react to other people’s misfortune. That’s just sad.
I applaud Disney for attempting to protect their guests and employees. While I am sorry that there are thousands of guests and employees that will have a change in plans, I am very glad that we got to complete our trip the last week of January! I am so glad that we got to go and to fulfill our vacation time there.
I have a trip planned on April 6. I do not know what to do- do I wait and see? I do feel that they should allow you to use tickets into 2021, though.
I am no expert, but I have been closely following the coronavirus since Chinese new year. I will eat my foot if WDW is only closed for 2 weeks. I’m thinking at a month. Maybe longer. I’m not apocalypse nut, but based on what I’ve read these past two months, two weeks is not realistic. Even a month seems low end.
More realistic given where things are at in the US, think early May.
Perfect time to finally fix the yeti!! We want the A-Mode back!
Silver lining…maybe Rise of the Resistance will work reliably by the time they re-open?
Disney has updated their website overnight. Parks closed Mar. 16-EOM. All their waiving applies to those dates only (I guess for now).
They are extending unexpired/unused park tickets and date specific theme park tickets until Dec. 15th 2020. Annual passholders are getting back the number of days lost during the Dec. 16-31st closure. Disney Villains/After Dark, Early Morning Magic, etc tickets will be refunded. If you have a hotel booking you can move or cancel it up until your check-in date including vacation packages. If no action is taken you will be reimbursed within 7 days of the check-in date. All prepaid dining and experiences (lightsaber) during that time will be refunded and no one will be charged no-show fees for dining held with a credit card. More details on their website. All the best everyone.
Thank you
How do you reschedule anything when they are answering phones, I know they are busy I just don’t want to wait until the last minute to try to change it over either
I have room-only bookings and tix separate so I can change/cancel online or through My Experience. Did you book a package? I personally don’t know if you can cancel or change those online. If you’re traveling during that time period and don’t do anything they said they will cancel. I wouldn’t try canceling or calling if you’re booked for after that because that would just tie up the lines for those who are.
Hey Tom, Do you still recommend the DVC rental store? What do you think about their policy of no refunds even when the parks are closed? Have you talked to them about what they intend to do about all their customers with worthless and potentially worthless reservations? You recommend them and this may lead people who trust you to trust them, what do you have to say about their policies in light of all that is happening?
I think it is up to the actual owner of the points you rented from. If they are compassionate and if they are allowed to, they might be able to get their points back and offer you a refund. I would not hold my breath because it might not be allowed. We used them before buying a used resale. Very happy. I hope you get something back! If not, I would get a little louder. Good luck as I know you would have loved your stay. Well worth it.
You know the DVC rental store policy before renting from them. As an informed adult I wouldn’t base my trust on someone else’s opinion, I’m a well educated consumer and since I’m a former renter of them I”m a very informed buyer. Buying travel insurance is a must. Do your research and any decision you make are your responsibility not someone else’s.
I’m in the same boat. I hope the DVC owner is willing to at least pass along whatever accommodation Disney offers, whether that be a cancel and refund or re-booking at a later date. Fingers crossed.
Well done Disney for doing this so early. Holiday due April 21 for World Cheerleading competition Just waiting for ICU to announce they are cancelling (hopefully) Coming from UK and Disney Travel site states:
“We will waive all Disney imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in and through June 30 2020”
Therefore my only loss will be my flights.
Will be back once the world is back to normal
You should be able to cancel your flights and receive a refund!! Most airlines have been very reasonable with flight cancellations.
Airlines aren’t offering cash refunds (that I know of), they are putting the ticket cost into a bank with them that you can use later. And most aren’t even mentioning cancellations at all on their website, only changes. I think the only actual cash refunds are for flights to/from the places that have been affected like China, Italy, etc.
I would think if you call and ask nicely you could probably get some sort of credit with the airline if not a full cash refund. Since you are planning on going when things get back to normal that is still something!
My daughter and her family arrived at Disney world florida on Wednesday what will happen to them they are staying at a Disney resort hotel .
Does this mean future prices will be inflated to make up for the huge financial losses involved? I know Disney make humongous profits but I can’t imagine they’re going to take the hit on the chin. I expect next years prices will already be inflated somewhat due to the probable increase in bookings for its 50th anniversary. I’m sure they are doing what’s right with the closure as health/lives comes before money but was just curious of the financial impact on future customers in the long term.
I doubt it. Disney charges what the market will bear and their desire is always to make more money 🙂
I’m more interested in whether they regret their ridiculous new annual pass pricing. Too bad I just renewed…
I actually don’t think a huge spike in prices is on the cards. It seems incredibly likely that all the closures from this virus will push the country into a recession which will cut into the amount of people who are able to take expensive leisure trips. I think the most likely scenario is an increase in line with what we’ve seen in the past few years along with more aggressive discounting/deals being offered to keep rooms full.
Largely agree with the previous two replies.
My expectation is that Disney will test out some novel discounting and/or entertainment to lure guests back. Perhaps something akin to Summer Nightastic (from back during the Great Recession). I could see that throwing crowd calendars for a loop…but it’s not like those have been super reliable this year, anyway!
We were in wait and see mode. Absolutely gutted. My family have planned and saved for this holiday for two years. I work in the NHS and it is so back-breaking at the moment, I was hugely anticipating my holiday. On balance, as heartbroken as I am, there are more important things in life than a trip to Disney world. If my travel from the UK put others or myself at risk, it would be devastating. Just holding out hope that the park will reopen, we were set to leave in 40 days.
Us too. We saved for two years and last time my grandson got sick. (2016) So we promised him this trip. Then my husband broke three ribs and now the closure. I think it wasn’t meant to be. I’m holding out for awhile bc we are scheduled to leave in 43 days. I just don’t know what to do. I guess i will wait until next month and see what Easter brings.
We experienced a postponed trip several years ago due to a hurricane & WDW closure. It was to be our 8 yr old granddaughter’s 1st trip there. She understood that we were only postponing for a few months and took it very well. Yes, the planning had to be done all over again, and we had lost some valuable reservation lead-in time. But psychological and emotional disappointment don’t even compare to physical safety. Not on the same level.
My daughter is truly upset we are not sure where she stands now tomorrow was to be her first day as an intern for Disney and Magic Kingdom we came from Texas and booked Airbnb for 5 months she came through the Disney College Program and we don’t know if she will still be getting paid. On top of that we pray for those who are affected and hope all goes well for our country. Everyone be safe..
Well, Tom, looks like you’re going to have some extra free time on your hands. You want to go fossil hunting while on Disney hiatus?