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!
My family has a trip Plan for April 1. We are trying to decide if we should go ahead and change are plans for July are something.
I had a trip for mid April that we are rescheduling because I am almost positive they won’t be opening on time, due to the CDC recommendations
My backup trip is scheduled for early July. Original trip is Apr. 13-20th. Still haven’t canceled yet.
Hi, we booked a travel agency for Disney land Paris via Euro star. Do you think they will be an open middle of May 20-20? Because we live in the UK we don’t hear much about whats going on in France>
I think all Disney parks will be open in May. I don’t think they’ll be open in April at all. I think you’re good for your trip in my opinion. We were scheduled to go WDW in Orlando 4/1, but I don’t think they’ll open back up the 1st, so I rescheduled for June. But on my opinion, I think we’ll flatten the drive within a month and all parks would open in May
Flatten the curve, not drive. Autocorrect
The president just announced this whole thing may not be totally over until August or September. That’s really bad news.
Wow! It all sounds really bad! But if we look at China now, it´s already getting better, it took a little over than a month for things to start to come back to normal!
We were supposed to leave Sunday morning for our honeymoon at Disney World. We heard the news on Thursday night and then a couple of hours later got a wonderfully timed email from Disney World saying “See You Soon!” LOL!
Thank goodness we used a Disney travel agent as she took care of working with Disney to get us full refunds of the room/dining package. Undercover Tourist tickets are subject to the guidelines that Disney posted–tickets can be used until December 15th. Other than the above mentioned email from Disney we have felt very well taken care of by the company!
We immediately rescheduled our trip for October and are now upgrading to stay at Jambo House since we have 6 more months to save–fingers crossed there is no more coronavirus and a massive hurricane doesn’t rip through again!
Tom, do you know if construction inside the parks will continue for now even though they are closed?
Personally I think they are blowing this whole thing way out of proportion. Disney didn’t close for H1N1and those numbers were worse than Covid19. OPen the gates, wash ur hands.
On the plus side, hopefully they’ll use this time to make RoTR more reliable with higher throughput!
I am in sit and wait mode at the moment. I have a vacation planned for April 11 to 16 at Disney World. If they don’t reopen by that time I may end up trying to plan a trip in November or December. It is very frustrating to have done all the planning getting dining reservations and fast passes to have to do the whole process over again.
I just spoke with a cast member…again, and was told they’re always updated, because they need to know what to tell the people like us that have vacations scheduled. Her specific words were only closing from March 16- March 31st.
I’m pretty sure the cast members are the last to know anything, right before the public. The executives are making the decisions. Cruises shut down for a month. 2 weeks seems kind of short. I mean I hope not since we are supposed to arrive mid-April…
I always recommend using a Disney travel agent, if you aren’t already. If you have to reschedule your trip (fingers crossed you don’t!) then try using a travel agent when you re-book! I’ve used the travel agency that is listed on this site (click “Quote Request” tab) and am currently using Perfect Story Travel. Both experiences have been awesome! You tell the agent what reservations you want and when you want them and they will do all the hard work. The best part is their services are free for you to use!
Good luck!
The parks will open back up April 1st. I was able reschedule my trip from March 28 to arrive April 1st instead. They’re pretty certain they’ll open back up 4/1. If they do decide to close, looks like I’m modifying my trip again, maybe for May or June
I would put the chances of the parks reopening on April 1, 2020 at under 10%.
I had a WDW email saying 1st April to. But being from the UK it makes little difference now cos US boarders closed so can’t fly now anyway.
Why do you think that? If they weren’t certain, I would think they wouldn’t have rescheduled my trip to arrive April 1st.
Because an incremental closure done in rolling phases is easier to implement and navigate than a longer one. Just today, Walt Disney World terminated the spring College Program and sent the students home. That’s one of their largest labor pools, and Disney wouldn’t have done that if this were only going to be a ~2 week closure.
What are you basing that percentage on?
â€â™€ï¸ I just rescheduled my trip yesterday. If they even knew there was a chance if not opening back up, why would they reschedule people for April? Makes me wonder if I should just go ahead and reschedule for June to be safe.
I mean, I’m not privy to any inside information here. But for that matter, neither are any front of line Cast Members with whom you would’ve spoken.
All I know is what has happened elsewhere at the international parks that’ve dealt with coronavirus before the United States. That coupled with the College Program being terminated strongly suggests there’s not any serious internal belief this will be resolved by April 1.
Also, the college program ends in May. They aren’t going to send them home for two weeks, and then bring them right back, just to leave in another month (May) to go home. Doesn’t mean they’re not opening back up. I’ve heard from several cast members they’re opening back up and have no plans of extending the closure.
Personally I’m thinking the parks will be closed through April, probably May/June reopening. I have a trip scheduled May 2-10 but scheduled a back up in September since I’m doubtful the May trip will happen based on similar situations.
Hopefully cuz I’m planned for 1st to 6th 30th birthday trip that I wanted to spent at Disney :(… all money lost now DVC points lost, money spent on park tickets lost, and airline lost, oh well probably last time I go to Disney after this plenty more in the world to see.
They actually did cancel the college program. Those cast members have until 11am on March 18th to vacate the college program apartments. My son didn’t find out until 3pm yesterday, when he received the email that his program was being voided. He began in January and was to finish in May. He will be paid for 2 weeks and will get a successful completion for his program, so as to put him in good standing for other Disney opportunities. But all the students currently in the college program will have to apply for a different program term. All this to say, I don’t think they’ll be opening in 2 weeks.
I just heard the Beach & Yacht Clubs pool is closed?!?! Any information as to why?
Who said that? Im looking to go to BC just to hang out
If you were supposed to be going during these next 2 weeks your unused tix will automatically be extended for use anytime before Dec. 15th 2020. If you can’t visit by then they may allow you to put the value of your unused tickets towards new ones. It’s on their website.
A friends daughter staying there…. but to correct they reopened ! Something must have had to get taken care of!
What reopened? Did you mean to reply to the post about Beach & Yacht club perhaps?
I’m a little taken aback that Disney is not allowing date specific tickets for when they are closed, to receive a full refund! They are typing up $600 from my family and we won’t have the opportunity to have this vacation for a few years!!! I’m hoping that I can get a refund if I talk to someone from Disney
Sorry, my post above was supposed to be in reply to yours.
If you were supposed to be going during these next 2 weeks your unused tix will automatically be extended for use anytime before Dec. 15th 2020. If you can’t visit by then they may allow you to put the value of your unused tickets towards new ones. It’s on their website.
Some people can’t come back for the foreseeable future. I was supposed to go mid – April. Obviously, that’s not looking likely now as it appears fear has overrun this country and we are now going to be in a half a year lock down. The economy is going to completely bomb. Disney is going to lose out on so much, I highly doubt they will recover easy. That’s probably why they’re trying to get out of giving refunds, but I am 100% demanding a refund. I am a single mother in MA. Me just ‘rescheduling my trip’ isn’t as easy as all that.
Kari, I would hold off on rescheduling your trip. I think Disney will open back up at least mid April, that’s a month of closure at that point! I’m scheduled 4/1, I don’t think they’ll be open then though.
Can anyone confirm if the FL resident 4 day Discover Disney tickets with a deadline to use by June will have an extended deadline since we cannot go during spring break?
If you go on their website they say you can now use those specific tickets until July 31st 2020. There is a banner at the top of their page that you can click for the new update.
My daughter is a permanent Florida resident after serving a term as a DCP and an extension, so she has many friends who are part-time and interns, and apparently only the full-time CM are getting paid, and only 32 hours regardless if they worked more or depended on tips. Nothing much else Disney can or should do, it just is a big blow to many young people who now won’t be able to afford the exorbitant rent prices in central Florida. Recovery may be very slow for small businesses and those ancillary businesses that depend on the WDW crowds to feed their families. My daughter will be fine and be able to stay because we can afford to co-sign for a house in places like Winter Garden that will actually be about as cheap as her less than savory apartment anyway. But so many young people are unsure what will happen to them and cannot afford 6 weeks of reduced wages. The average 23 year old like my daughter has no concept of living below their means and saving for a “rainy day” – or a pandemic. Cannot really blame Disney, or any company – those that do not fall in line would be heavily criticized if the numbers of cases swell. And if it follows influenza patterns and naturally decreases late spring, they will still look smart as if the closures prevented the spread. Hard to know, and it is not a video game or scientific test, so we all really have no choice. But avoid fear-mongering, and try to stay calm! Unlike what an earlier poster said, the previous Corona virus outbreaks (MERS and SARS) were very deadly and we did not do these closures. This one in a nutshell gives 80% mild or no symptoms, and no long term effects. We are already seeing people who have fully recovered from the disease. Respiratory-compromised individuals do have a worse prognosis, and areas that do not have access to respirators or oxygen have had higher death rates, but we really don’t know much about the long term effects of this virus. Missing a trip to WDW is a small price compared to possible long-term sickness (I worried more about the CMs who would be exposed to so many different groups from all over the world than the guests). But on an even more sober note, my family has been touched by suicide more than once, and with 47,000+ Americans taking their own lives (most young adults) it upsets me that we don’t take that as serious as 29+ deaths due to a possibly seasonal illness. Smoking/vaping, Type II diabetes brought on by obesity and poor diet kill more than that each year but we call that individual freedom, and don’t eliminate the causes or provide more alternatives. Sorry, but there are so many preventable deaths that we just gloss over, that COVID19 looks more like a 23-19. I hope I am right, and it does diminish as the influenza season does. Then maybe we can perspective again.
My daughter is in the DCP. We don’t know anything yet. She just got trained as a lifeguard. Today is her 1st day as a lifeguard. She was fast food from Jan. Thru March 8th. Then she got trained as a lifeguard. She had excepted an extension. She is not sure if she is getting paid or how much. She also doesn’t know if they still will be charged for the rent. Not sure what we are going to do. Thanks , Peggy
Any news for DVC holders? We are scheduled to use our DVC at Gr Cal the first week of April – obviously we are NOT traveling. Not trying to be selfish, just curious if we’ll be refunded the points, given option to reschedule, etc.