Disney closing all parks and crusies through end of March due to coronavirus outbreak
The Walt Disney Company said in a statement Thursday evening that its US cruise lines and theme parks will close as the coronavirus spreads nationally.
The Disney theme parks will close at the end of the day on Sunday. Meanwhile, Disney cruises scheduled to begin on Saturday will not take off. Both closures will extend through the end of March.
Here is a full statement from Disney:
“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 is closing through the end of the month to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Disney announced Thursday that the Anaheim park and Disney California Adventure will close starting Saturday morning.
The company says no cases of COVID-19, the disease associated with the virus, have been reported at the resort and that this move is in response to an executive order from the California governor’s office. The order limits non-essential gatherings to no more than 250 people.
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued this statement regarding the closure:
“Late last night, California put out a new policy on mass gatherings and engaged in deep conversations with Disney and other companies about how to meet it. Using that policy, Disney made the right call in the interest of public health and agreed to shut down their California parks. Expect more announcements like this shortly.”
Despite the closure, Disney says it will continue to pay its cast members who work at the park.
The hotels at Disneyland Resort will remain open until Monday to give guests the ability to make necessary travel arrangements.
“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,” wrote Disney in a press release. “We anticipate heavy call volume over the next several days and appreciate guests’ patience as we work to respond to all inquiries.”
Downtown Disney will remain open.
It’s unclear at this time if Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, will remain open.
