UPDATE: After earlier today shuttering their California Disneyland, The Walt Disney Company has announced that they are also closing their Paris Disneyland in France and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Here is the official 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 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. 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.
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The original story reads as follows:
The end times are certainly upon us as Disneyland, better known as the happiest place on Earth, has revealed that it will be temporarily closing both parks, including California Adventure, through the end of March amidst the global concerns of the coronavirus outbreak.
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 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.
The theme park chain warns customers that there will be a heavy flow of calls coming in and asks that they remain patient as they work to answer all questions, but assures that they will provide refunds to those who have hotel bookings during the closure period and that others who want to cancel or reschedule their packages for later in 2020 can do so without the normal $50 charge.
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The decision comes in a week of many major decisions made in the wake of the global outbreak, with the NBA and NHL suspending the rest of their seasons while the NCAA has cancelled the annual March Madness tournament and MLB has postponed their regular season. Other major cancellations include E3, WonderCon and SXSW while many major film releases have either been pulled, delayed or cancelled.
