Walt Disney World, Universal to close Florida parks through March over coronavirus

Bianca Padró Ocasio, Devoun Cetoute
·3 min read

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Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando will close their Florida parks starting Sunday through the rest of March — one of the busiest times of the year for theme parks — due to concerns about the coronavirus.

The decision affects six theme parks — Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios — plus three water parks. The dining and entertainment centers, Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk, as well as hotels will remain open.

Disney Cruise Line is also suspending cruises for the rest of March starting on Saturday. The cruise line has four ships, including one based in Miami — the Disney Magic.

Both theme park companies said that the decision to close the parks was made “out of an abundance of caution.” The announcements came only hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis said it was time for Florida to combat the spread of the coronavirus by reducing gatherings and encouraging people to keep their distance from each other.

“I am recommending to local municipalities and private entities to strongly consider limiting or postponing mass gatherings in the state of Florida,” the governor said during a trip to Miami Thursday.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure, home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, is closing temporarily due to concerns about the coronavirus.
Universal’s Islands of Adventure, home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, is closing temporarily due to concerns about the coronavirus.

Disney said it will be paying its employees, or “cast members,” throughout the closure.

Neither company provided specific information about refunds or changes in reservations. “We have created flexible programs for those guests who have booked travel packages or tickets with us,” Universal said on its website. Guests can call 877-801-9720 for more information.

Disney said, “We are working as quickly as possibly to provide Guests with information about impacts to existing and future reservations” and recommended guests check its website.

A spokesperson for Disney Cruise Line did not immediately respond to a request for comment about what would happen to passengers booked on cruises that extend beyond Saturday, nor what would happen to crew members.

The first Disney park to close was Shanghai Disney Resort, in January, about a month after the first novel coronavirus cases emerged in China. Some areas of the Shanghai resort have since reopened. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort and Disneyland Resort in California are all closed. Disneyland Paris, which already suspended outdoor shows and parades, will close on Sunday along with Disney World.

Since Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, Walt Disney World has only closed its doors in extreme events, like hurricanes and the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks — fewer than 10 times in the resort’s history. Magic Kingdom is the most popular theme park in the world, drawing more than 20 million visitors a year.

Seven Reedy Creek Fire and Rescue Department personnel, who provide emergency response services to Walt Disney World, are under self-quarantine. Six of the workers attended an Emergency Medical Services Conference in Tampa where a 70-year-old Broward County man, who tested positive for COVID-19, was also present.

The seventh Orlando-area firefighter is taking precautions after recent travel.

Miami Herald reporter Taylor Dolven contributed to this story.