Hotels at Disney World Closing
Walt Disney World has announced that all resorts in Florida will close at 5 pm on Friday, March 20 due to the ongoing public health crisis. In addition to WDW hotels, this also means Vero Beach Resort will be closing. That leaves only Aulani Resort in Hawaii and Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina are the only Disney destinations in the world that are still operating (for now).
Additionally, Walt Disney World will be closing all of its own and operated locations at Disney Springs beginning March 17, which means spots like D-Luxe Burger, NBA Experience, World of Disney, and other stores will all close. Third party tenants will make their own decisions on whether to continue operating or adjust hours.
This follows the closure of the theme parks at Walt Disney World last night, which are tentatively scheduled to remain shuttered through the end of March 2020. Here, we’ll cover what else is closing, what’s staying open (at least as of right now), and other updates from Walt Disney World…
For starters, here’s the bulletin that was posted to the official Disney Parks News Twitter account shortly after midnight. It also discusses the impact on Disney Stores, in case you care:
While not reflected there, Walt Disney World has also updated the list of transportation options will be available to on-site guests in light of this latest operational update. All Walt Disney World transportation will be temporarily suspended starting the morning of Wednesday, March 18 through (at least) the end of the month.
Until then, transportation options include buses to Disney Springs as normal, plus resort-to-resort buses. Additionally, the resort loop of the monorail will be operating on a reduced schedule and without stops at the TTC or Magic Kingdom. The Skyliner, boats, and other monorail loops will not be running.
While the vast majority of businesses at Disney Springs are third party owned and operated, it’s hard to imagine that many of them will continue operating beyond this week. Even if they’re not causing due to public health concerns, there simply will be no business rationale for remaining open.
Locals do make up a good chunk of Disney Springs’ clientele, but many are practicing social distancing and not going out. More importantly, the resorts not operating means the bulk of customers these outlets would depend upon will not be there. By next week, the last business standing will probably be Lefty’s – The Left Handed Store or some other random (but essential!) kiosk.
Despite all of this, Cirque du Soleil is plowing ahead with the debut of ‘Drawn to Life’ this Friday at Disney Springs per their most recent tweets. This is even after cancelling all of its other shows around the United States, including its Las Vegas resident shows. This stance could change with Walt Disney World taking a harder line on closing resorts and its own Disney Springs storefronts.
We’ve received several reports from readers who are not being offered refunds on Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life tickets. If this is still the case going forward and you paid via credit card, we’d recommend initiating a chargeback. While we don’t condone liberal use of chargebacks for buyer’s remorse or in lieu of seeking a refund through traditional means, this is one good use of the consumer protection tool.
If you’ve read any of our other coverage, you’ve probably noticed that we’ve been hammering home our belief that Walt Disney World’s current closure through the end of March 2020 is only tentative, the first wave of a rolling ‘assess and adjust’ plan. That approach is easier to manage, and projects optimism to the public.
Until now, that has been our prediction based upon past precedent at international Disney parks and patterns of containment measures taken in other countries. Last night, the Centers for Disease Control revised its recommendation about mass gatherings.
Now, the CDC is recommending that for the next 8 weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
Quite simply, Walt Disney World is not going to go against the recommendation of the CDC. It’s certainly possible that something will change and the situation will dramatically improve, but we wouldn’t count on that. At this point, we think Walt Disney World’s theme parks reopening at some point in May 2020 is the optimistic scenario.
If you’ve followed the barrage of news, none of this probably comes as much of a surprise. It was pretty much a foregone conclusion before Walt Disney World officially announced it all. Unless there is some radical development, this is probably about it for our coverage (outside of updating our Walt Disney World Closure FAQ).
We spent the weekend practicing social distancing while mostly glued to the television. This morning has been more of the same, alternating between the regular news and the financial market news. We’d imagine many of you did the same. Obviously, it’s important to engage in best health practices and keep apprised of current events but…this can’t be healthy.
As such, we’ll be resuming regular, non-virus posts this week in an effort to establish some sense of normalcy. I’m trying to think up some upbeat topics (meaning no deep dives into the backstory of Dino-Rama!), which will probably include some top 10 lists, photo tours, random bizarre stuff, and more.
Fortunately, my procrastination powers have resulted in a backlog of tens of thousands of unedited photos along with roughly one-dozen incomplete restaurant reviews. Beyond that, I’m totally open to suggestions. If there’s a topic you’d like to see tackled, feel free to share in the comments below. I can’t make any promises about what will be covered, but I’ll try!
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
What do you think of all this news? When do you anticipate that Walt Disney World will reopen? Any blog post content requests? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we can help you answer? 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!
Being a lifelong resident of Florida, I find it very unlikely that the virus will persist into July since it is a flu like virus. I can’t remember ever hearing of anyone coming down with the flu in Florida in the summer. Flu disappears during the summer – It apparently does not survive well in the heat —and Florida has a super summer! All schools in Florida are closed through the end of March, and the officials want to get an idea of the true rate of infection through testing, and isolating those infected.
But the largest reason the park will almost certainly be open in May is becausethe pressure will mount to reopen all businesses, because life has to go on. People simply cannot stay behind closed doors for month after month after month or else the entire fabric of the economy will collapse, And people find it impossible to get necessities to survive. If the officials insist on social distancing beyond March, the ensuing economic collapse and shortages will make the effects of the virus look like a hangnail, by comparison.
it’s not a flu. it’s a new virus which we haven’t seen before, so we don’t know what it will do in warm weather. just keep that in mind.
I’d love to hear what’s in your photography bag right now!
Hey Tom! Could you write a post explaining what the closure means for Disney Vacation Club members/point renters during the hotel closures? We booked a vacation in late June using DVC Rental Store and while we hope the parks will be open and all will be A-ok, I think it seems unlikely at this point.
DVC has issues a statement that everyone who has a resort booked during the time frame will receive a full credit of points (that email came to me today since I am a DVC member). That being said, I would assume the points would revert back to the original owner. I would contact the rental company that you used to get a dollar refund for those points. It would however be at their discretion. Did you buy vacation insurance? I never do, but my Chase Visa card offers free vacation insurance coverage. I would explore all options if you are denied a refund through the rental company.
Thank you Amelia!
Bring back the photography articles. What’s in your bag… best lenses and how / when to use them… tips… I love me some photography nerdology!
Hi Tom, thanks for all your up to the minute news! My fingers are still crossed for our big family trip starting May 4th (sigh..). I was wondering if you have an tips for the DVC’s Moonlight Magic nights…besides running to the longest line rides! What do you and Sarah do? Thanks again for your reports!
Me tooooo! That’s when we were supposed to go – still haven’t cancelled my reservations yet *fingers crossed*!
I know there are a ton of books and magazine articles written on this topic but I don’t have the time to find. ….. I often walk Thru the parks and watch the old movies with the thought of “ I wonder if Walt had input or laid his hands on this project, ride, or movie. “. I know this is an extensive topic but a touch on it would be nice. Especially, The last ride/ idea he came up with( was the inspiration for) The last ride/ idea he saw being built. The movie ideas that he saw done/thru. And the last movie ideas that were done after his passing.
Off topic. Why is every one so fascinated with dinoramo? It sticks out like a sore thumb to me. It’s feels like it’s trying to pay respects to local/ traveling carnivals which is nostalgic americana. But just feels so wrong when we walk thru it. IDK. just my opinion.
Agreed with the Walt piece. How about a history lesson and maybe some Roy in there. Guess I’m too cheap to buy a book. And maybe a compilation of what you deem your most beautiful pics. I realize the artist tends to be harsh upon oneself but this would be great!
Hi Tom. As a fan of disney from N Ireland I love reading your articles. We have been a couple of times before and are booked to arrive this year again in July. We are really nervous that it may not be possible this year due to travel restrictions and parks possibly being closed. Do you think its realistic to think it will have improved enough by then?
I’m still holding out hope for your Alaskan cruise trip report! Although our Alaskan cruise in May is likely to be canceled, I’m still hopeful we’ll be able to reschedule!
Hi Tom. If I’m spending thousands coming from the UK what would you consider the best real luxury treats. I’ve made a light saber and done some wonderful character dining but what would be your top tips for spending a couple of hundred dollars on a lifetime memory? Princess tea in Grand Floridian appeals and I’d love to do the backstage tour day. What do you reckon though? John
Tom, thanks for all your great information and tips. If you haven’t done one already, how about blogging on the differences between Early Entry Dining and Morning Extra Magic Hours? Is there is a special gate/entry at each park for these? When you finish your meal, how soon do they let you into the park, or do you have to wait for rope drop time?
Tom, have you visited/reviewed Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort? Written about tips, tricks, and recommendations?
I’d be truly interested in a Hilton Head review as well!
I live here(Hilton Head)…and are least the end of March now, the Disney Hotel here is closed. If I remember correctly…not much on food services because the Island is all about food restaurants and water activities. It’s on the inlet bay not on the ocean side. But if Tom has an insider view..should be interesting Rooms are comparative to any of the other big name resort hotels here with quality and price . Most people rent homes.
Can you please do an itinerary of must-do things in Hollywood Studios, Blizzard and Disney Magic Kingdom. I am going for the first time in July and I really wouldn’t like to miss out something important for my dream holiday.
Thanks.
Definitely a big ‘yes’ to restaurant reviews, please – especially at the non U.S. parks.
Love your blog, and thanks for still writing 🙂
I believe that the CDC recommendation excludes schools, businesses, colleges, etc. So Disney wouldn’t fall under that
I for one (the only one?) would love to hear the backstory on Dinorama! You and Sarah are founts of Disney knowledge, and chance you could do a post or two on park/ride history?
Yes! I would love background stories on ride/land history for both Disney World and Disneyland. A great idea.
Thank you so much for all the news you share on a regular basis. It is greatly appreciated! I am so glad that I happen to come across your blog recently and have been receiving your emails every since. Keep safe.
I’d love your take on rides that might not be great for those with motion-sickness. Yes, there are some who can spin but not flip, bounce but not jiggle, so it will be a bit subjective.
i can go fast( Test Track) but not spin(teacups) I can do Soarin, but not star Tours….
would love your thoughts on motion!!
Me too Gary…rides with motion sickness and maybe varying degrees of how intense each one is would be wonderful!
It’s weird what affects people but other things don’t. For example I’ve never been able to do teacup-style rides but I could do the rides where you lean against the wall spinning & the floor drops out from under you while you’re stuck to the wall. Body Wars made me sick enough that I never tried Star Tours. We were at WDW during the Millennium Celebration when they had that middle eastern motion sim ride but I sat by myself in the non-moving seats so it was fine.
I did ride Mission Space, which was a colossal mistake as I puked halfway across the park and then again in the hallway on the Land Pavilion (we had ice cream social reservations immediately after the ride). I was even fine on Primeval Whirl as well.
Good they should if done it early then people will
Stop coming down here and hopefully this virus will
Stop spreading.
We were supposed to be arriving at Disney World on March 22nd and have gotten through and rescheduled our vacation for this summer, which has opened up a few park options that we hadn’t spent much time looking into before. Articles on the two waterparks and H2O Glow Nights would be helpful. We will also be lucky enough to be there during a Villians Night at MK. Any tips or suggestions for that?
I look forward to getting your blogs everyday. Thank you so much for all of the amazing tips, advice and insight.
Will you do a review of Rise of the Resistance WITH spoilers — and obviously make that VERY CLEAR– for those of us who have now experienced it? I would love to get your play by play thoughts on it 🙂
this
This is a neat idea. Would love to see a real aficionado’s take on when/why it works. I rode it and was underwhelmed. It was very good, but didn’t blow my mind. The best part is the people/actors. I’d guess good cast members make or break it.