Breaking news! The Walt Disney Company announced today that Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris and Disneyland will be closing due to the coronavirus. In addition, Disney Cruise Line departures are cancelled through the end of March.
These new Disney theme park closures follow the closures of Shanghai Disney, Tokyo Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland earlier this month.
Earlier this week, we gave you an update regarding Disney’s policies and procedures for both U.S. Disney Parks and Resorts and Disney Cruise Line. If you’d like to review that article, please visit here.
However, in just a few days, the coronavirus has caused increasing concerns worldwide, affecting the decisions of people all over the globe. As a result, Disney has announced that Disney Parks in the U.S. and France will close beginning March 16, 2020. The parks will remain closed through the end of the month.
Disney’s Official Statements
Disney released these statements late Thursday afternoon.
Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris and Disney Cruise Line
“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.”
Disneyland and California Adventure
“While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Disneyland® Resort, after carefully reviewing the guidelines of the Governor of California’s executive order and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, beginning the morning of March 14 through the end of the month.
The Hotels of the Disneyland Resort will remain open until Monday, March 16 to give guests the ability to make necessary travel arrangements; Downtown Disney will remain open. We will monitor the ongoing situation and follow the advice and guidance of federal and state officials and health agencies. Disney will continue to pay cast members during this time.
Disneyland Resort will work with guests who wish to change or cancel their visits, and will provide refunds to those who have hotel bookings during this closure period. We anticipate heavy call volume over the next several days and appreciate guests’ patience as we work hard to respond to all inquiries.
Please contact The Walt Disney Travel Company for questions and cancellations at 714.52.5050.”
Questions You May Have
To learn more about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the U.S. response to it by visiting the CDC.
What if I have a vacation package booked while the parks are closed?
You can cancel or modify your room reservation or Walt Disney Travel Company package up until your original scheduled check in date. There will be no fee to change your dates or cancel your package. If you take no action to change or cancel, Disney will automatically process a refund to your original form of payment within seven days of your original check in date.
What if I have a vacation package booked after March 31? (But I don’t want to travel during that time?)
Disney has temporarily changed their change and cancellation policy. If you have a room reservation or vacation package with a check in date through June 30, 2020, you can change your dates or cancel your reservation with no penalty or cancellation fee.
How does the closure impact my annual pass?
Annual passes will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed. (Note: Disney has officially answered this question for WDW Annual Passes, but I am fairly confident that the same will hold true for Disneyland Annual Passes.)
What if I have date specific theme park tickets for the period the parks will be closed?
Unexpired multi-day theme park tickets with unused days or date specific theme park tickets with a start date on or before March 31, 2020 will be automatically extended to use any date before December 15, 2020. If you can’t visit the parks prior to December 15, 2020, you may apply the value of your wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a ticket for a future date.
What if I have a ticket for Disney After Hours, Disney Villains After Hours or Disney Early Morning Magic between March 16, 2020 and March 31, 2020?
Your ticket will be automatically refunded because those events are being cancelled.
What if I’ve prepaid for a dining reservation or an experience reservation like Build a Droid ? (Scheduled between March 16, 2020 and March 31, 2020?)
All prepaid dining and experience reservations will be automatically refunded if they were scheduled to occur between March 16, 2020 and March 31, 2020.
What about dining reservations that I guaranteed with a credit card?
You will not pay a cancellation or no-show fee for reservations at locations impacted by the closures.
Disney World and Disneyland Closing Due to Coronavirus — Final Thoughts
I am disappointed that Disney made these decisions to close their parks worldwide. However, I understand that governmental and public pressures made this result almost inevitable.
I am very happy to see that Disney will continue to pay all cast members impacted by the closures. When I first heard this news, I was very concerned for the cast members. It’s fairly well known that Disney cast members’ wages are pretty low. I suspect many cast members live paycheck to paycheck as do so many people these days. The impact of two weeks without pay could be ruinous to many people. I am glad to see that Disney is stepping up and taking care of their people.
It is of course possible that Disney could elect to extend these closures beyond the end of March; however, I am hopeful that will not be necessary. I hope that in April, we will see a return to normalcy across the country and the world; not just for Disney but for all of us.
What are your thoughts about Disney World and Disneyland closing due to the coronavirus? Do you have any vacation plans impacted by these closures? Please comment with your thoughts below.
Please take care of yourselves and those you love!
Happy Dreaming!
Brooke
