Coronavirus Closures and Updates Include All Disney Parks And Resorts
Currently, Coronavirus closures include all Disney Parks worldwide along with a host of other popular amusement parks and cruise lines just as Spring Break for thousands is about to begin.
In order to help stop the spread to the Coronavirus, all Disney Theme Parks worldwide along with Adventures By Disney, Universal US and Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags America are closed until at least the end of March. The Disney Cruise Line is also suspending all new departures beginning Saturday through the end of March. The Walt Disney Company will pay its cast members during that closure period. Already announced were the closures of the Princess Cruise Line and Viking Cruises.
Here is a list of the official announcements:
Disneyland & Disney California Adventure Park
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 park, 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.
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.
Walt Disney World Resort
In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our Guests and Cast Members, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World® Resort, beginning March 16, through the end of the month. The Walt Disney Company will pay its Cast Members during that closure period. Disney Resort hotels will remain open until further notice. Disney Springs will also remain open. Disney will continue to stay in close contact with appropriate officials and health experts.
“We are working as quickly as possible to provide you information on impacts to existing and future reservations during this time period. You can continue to check with your Disney Travel Professional, for additional details on modifying your reservations or receiving a refund. We appreciate your patience and understanding.”
Disney Cruise Line
“In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our guests and employees, Disney Cruise Line has decided to suspend all new departures beginning Saturday, March 14, 2020, through the end of the month. This precautionary measure applies to all four of Disney’s cruise ships.
While we know this decision may be disappointing, the health and wellbeing of our guests is of the greatest importance. We are equally committed to the wellbeing of our incredible crew members who live and work aboard our ships and on Castaway Cay. During the suspended operations, Disney Cruise Line will continue to compensate our Crew Members and shoreside Cast Members.
The Disney Dream will depart on a three-night cruise from Port Canaveral as scheduled on Friday, March 13, and will return to Port Canaveral on Monday, March 16. The Disney Fantasy and Disney Magic will return to port on Saturday, March 14. The Disney Wonder, which is currently in the midst of a westbound Panama Canal cruise, will continue on its scheduled itinerary, with guests disembarking in San Diego on Friday, March 20.
Disney Cruise Line will offer guests affected by this decision a future cruise credit or a full refund, the details of which will be provided directly to them. Given the higher than normal call volume at our Call Center, we ask that affected guests or their travel agents wait to contact Disney Cruise Line until after they receive an email from Disney.”
Below is a list of impacted sailings:
Disney Magic
March 14-19
March 19-23
March 23-28
March 28-April 2
Disney Wonder
March 20-25
March 25-29
March 29-April 5
Disney Dream
March 16-20
March 20-23
March 23-27
March 27-30
March 30- April 3
Disney Fantasy
March 14-21
March 21-29
March 29-April 4
Adventures By Disney
The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve quickly and Adventures by Disney is closely monitoring global developments and following the advice of public health authorities, medical experts and officials in the destinations we visit.
In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our Guests and Guides, Adventures by Disney has decided to suspend new departures through the end of March, excluding the Australia adventure, departing March 15, that will continue as scheduled.
Additionally, based on updated travel guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is also necessary to cancel the following adventures:
- Disneyland Resort & Southern California departures through March
- Disneyland & Southern California Escape departures through March
- England and France departures through April
- Egypt departures through April (due to connecting flights through affected areas)
- Greece departures through April
- Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos departures through May
- Italy departures through May
- Italy and Amalfi Coast departures through May
- Japan departures through May
- China departures through June
While we know this decision may be disappointing, the health and wellbeing of our Guests and Guides is of the greatest importance. During the suspended operations, Adventures by Disney will continue to compensate our Cast Members. Adventures By Disney will be contacting all impacted guests and travel agents.
Universal Resorts
Universal CityWalk remains open, as do Universal Orlando’s hotels. Universal Studios Hollywood expects to reopen on March 28, while Universal Studios Orlando will be closed through the end of the month. Abroad, Universal Studios Japan remains closed until March 22, while Universal Studios Singapore is still open for business.
Princess Cruises
In a proactive response to the unpredictable circumstances evolving from the global spread of COVID-19 and in an abundance of caution, Princess Cruises announced that it will voluntarily pause global operations of its 18 cruise ships for two months (60 days), impacting voyages departing March 12 to May 10.
“Princess Cruises is a global vacation company that serves more than 50,000 guests daily from 70 countries as part of our diverse business, and it is widely known that we have been managing the implications of COVID-19 on two continents,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. “By taking this bold action of voluntarily pausing the operations of our ships, it is our intention to reassure our loyal guests, team members and global stakeholders of our commitment to the health, safety and well-being of all who sail with us, as well as those who do business with us, and the countries and communities we visit around the world,” added Swartz.
While this is a difficult business decision, we firmly believe it is the right one and is in alignment with our company’s core values. Rest assured the long-serving and dedicated professionals at our company will make the best use of this time to prepare Princess Cruises’ fleet of cruise ships for a successful return to operation to serve our guests by delivering an exceptional vacation experience.
Those currently onboard a cruise that will end in the next five days will continue to sail as expected through the end of the itinerary so that onward travel arrangements are not disrupted. Current voyages that are underway and extend beyond March 17 will be ended at the most convenient location for guests, factoring in operational requirements. Princess will do everything possible to return each guest home with the greatest amount of care possible. During this time, our operations and medical teams across the fleet will remain vigilant in their care and service for guests and crew onboard.
For those who are impacted by this business decision, Princess is offering guests the opportunity to transfer 100% of the money paid for their canceled cruise to a future cruise of their choice. To add a bonus incentive for guests to accept this offer, the company will add an additional generous future cruise credit benefit which can be applied to the cruise fare. In addition, Princess will honor this offer for those guests who had made the final payment and canceled their booking on or after February 4, 2020. The future cruise credit can be used on any voyage departing through May 1, 2022.
If the future cruise credit option does not work for some guests, they will be able to complete an online form to request a cash refund. Princess asks guests not to call the Reservation Call Center due to the possibility of high call volumes and the potential of long on-hold wait times due to this unprecedented action. Guests and their travel advisors will be sent communications on how to manage cancellations and desired compensation. Information and instructions for requesting a Future Cruise Credit or Refund are available online.”
Viking Cruises
Viking Cruises announced it is canceling cruises through April 30, becoming the first major cruise line to take such drastic measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Viking chairman Torstein Hagen wrote in a letter to passengers Wednesday that the company had made the “difficult decision to temporarily suspend operations” for river and ocean cruises beginning Thursday through April 30. It is their hope to return to their cruise schedule beginning May 1.
Knott’s Berry Farm
“Beginning March 14, Knott’s Berry Farm will close temporarily through the end of the month. We continue to follow guidance from local and state officials, as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). While there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at our properties, we believe this is the right decision for our guests, associates, and community.
Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel will remain open. We will work with our guests who have prepaid tickets or booked rooms during the time period of our park closure. Refunds or re-bookings may be requested by contacting us at info@knotts.com.
Our guests and associates are considered family. We have their well-being at the forefront of our decision-making. We are committed to responding to questions and requests over the days and weeks ahead and appreciate everyone’s continued support and patience as we manage through this ongoing situation.”
Six Flags America
Six Flags America, which was scheduled to open for the season on March 28, will temporarily suspend operation until the end of March, at which time we will re-evaluate the situation. While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at this park, the safety of our guests and team members is always our highest priority. We will continue to closely monitor these evolving conditions and will follow the most current guidance from federal, state, and local officials.
UPDATE-Disney Resorts, Disney Springs, Downtown Disney & All Disney Stores Closures
With circumstances continuing to change rapidly around the globe, Disney is making critical and timely decisions based on guidance from local, national and international health agencies. As we have shared before, we are basing our decisions on the safety and well-being of their Cast Members and the Guests, since there is nothing more important than that.
Based on that, at Disney Springs in Florida and Downtown Disney in California, we will be closing all of the Disney owned and operated locations, including shops and restaurants, beginning Tuesday, March 17, through the end of the month. Select restaurants and retail locations at Disney Springs may remain open and guests should call the location they wish to visit for operating hours.
In addition, Disney owned and operated hotels at Walt Disney World Resort and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort will close at 5 p.m. Friday, March 20 through the end of the month. This will give Guests the ability to make necessary travel arrangements or book alternative accommodations.
Like the rest of the Cast Members, those who work in the Disney owned areas will continue to be paid through the end of the month.
Disney will continue to monitor the situation and maintain regular contact with the appropriate officials and health experts.
We will keep this page updated as information comes in. What other Coronavirus closures have impacted your travels?
