Disney is set to temporarily close the rest of its remaining theme parks, announcing that parks in Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris will also close due to the spread of the novel coronavirus — also known as COVID-19. Additionally, the Disney Cruise Line will postpone some upcoming sailings.
Editor’s note: For the latest updates on how COVID-19 is impacting the Walt Disney Company, please be sure to visit our page on the subject.
What’s happening:
- Disney has confirmed that Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World will be temporarily closing after the end of business on March 15th and will continue to be closed until the end of the month.
- Parc Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris will close on March 14th through the end of the month.
- Despite the theme park closures, hotels at Walt Disney World as well as Disney Springs will remain open until further notice
- UPDATE (3/15/20): At Disneyland Paris, Disney Village is now closed and the resort hotels will close once current guests have departed.
- Elsewhere, the Disney Cruise Lines will halt all sailings starting Saturday, March 14th until the end of the month.
- Cast Members will continue to be paid during these closures.
- This news comes just hours after it was announced that Disneyland and Disney California Adventure would close on March 14th.
- Notably, unlike at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris, hotels at the Disneyland Resort will temporarily close starting March 16th.
- Meanwhile, Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland have been closed since January, with Tokyo Disneyland also temporarily closing earlier this month.
- Disney is also postponing some upcoming movie releases, including their live-action Mulan.
What they’re saying:
- Disney statement: “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.”