As the threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19) grows in the United States, several theme park operators, have made the unprecedented step of closing their parks due to the global pandemic, including the following:
1. Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World will is stated to close all theme parks to guests beginning on Sunday March 15th, and will remain shuttered through the end of the month. Walt Disney World hotels and Disney Springs are currently scheduled to remain open during this time. Cast Members will continue to receive payment throughout the closure period.
2. Disneyland Resort
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks will shut their gates at the end of the day on Friday, for at least the rest of the month. The Disneyland Resort hotels will remain open through the weekend until Monday, March 16, so guests can make travel arrangements. The Downtown Disney shopping district will remain open for now, but could close later. Much like at Walt Disney World, Cast Members will continue to receive pay during this closure
3. Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood will be closing its gates on March 14, and has set a tentative reopening date of Saturday, March 28. As of right now Universal CityWalk is set to remain open, but conditions could change
4. Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks will close to regular guests on Sunday, March 15. CityWalk and resort hotels are scheduled to remain open at this time.
5. Six Flags Magic Mountain, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and Six Flags over Texas
Due to the statewide ban on gatherings over 500 people, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Six Flags Over Texas have been forced to close, and have announced that they plan to remain shuttered until the end of March
Six Flags Magic Mountain has also announced that it will close at the end of the month.
6. Dollywood
Though it was due to open this weekend, it was announced that Dollywood will be delaying their park opening for two weeks. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins will remain open at this time.
7. LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND California
LEGOLAND Florida has announced that its theme park and water park will close at the end of the business day on Sunday, March 15, and will remain closed through March 31, 2020. Hotels at the resort will remain open during this time, and employees will continue to work on-site as scheduled.
LEGOLAND California has also announced that it will temporarily close its theme park, water park and SEA LIFE aquarium. The closures will be effective beginning Saturday, March 14 through March 31, 2020. LEGOLAND Hotel will remain open during this time.
8. SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Diego and SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld has announced that as of March 16, 2020, they will be closing all of their parks until the end of the month. During this time all animals will still be cared for, and all full-time employees will continue to be paid. This closure includes SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld San Diego, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
9. Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris’ theme parks will close this Sunday, March 15, and remain closed through the end of the month. Hotels are expected to remain open indefinitely.
10. Tokyo Disney Resort
As of right now, the Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan remains completely closed and though it was previously announced that the resort are scheduled to reopen next week on March 16, the closure for these parks has been extended until mid-April
11. Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan in Osaka has also extended its closure through to early April instead of the previously stated date of March 15, 2020
12. Hong Kong Disneyland
Though Shanghai Disney Resort and Tokyo Disney Resort have tentative reopening plans in place, there has been no word yet about a reopening of Hong Kong Disneyland, and there have been no updates about when we might expect news about a reopening.
13. Shanghai Disneyland
Though the Shanghai Disneyland theme park remains closed indefinitely, as of this week, a limited number of shopping, dining, and recreational experiences are available in Disneytown, Wishing Star Park, and Shanghai Disneyland Hotel. Each of these locations will operate with reduced hours and offer limited capacity. The Disney Car and Coach Park will also reopen, along with the Disneytown Parking Lot.
These sweeping closures represent many firsts, including the first time that every Disney park on Earth is closed at the same time.
As we’ve said previously, there is no way to know exactly how long theme parks (and the travel industry at large) will be dealing with the effects of Coronavirus, but while this situation is continuing, all travelers should check out the CDC’s official site here, which has information on the virus and how to prevent its spread.
