Credit: Gregg Newton / ReutersOn March 12, 2020, Walt Disney World announced they would be closing the theme parks due to coronavirus outbreak concerns. As COVID-19 continued to spread worldwide, the Walt Disney World Parks made the decision to close its theme parks as safety and health concerns are number one priority.
The last day the theme parks were opened to Disney guests was on March 15, 2020. Beginning on March 16, the theme parks shut down to everyone, including both guests and Cast Members. And even though we can’t be inside the theme parks at the moment, we can still take a look at these incredible before and after photos!
Below, you will see several different photos showcasing the theme parks on the last day they were opened (March 15) compared to a completely deserted theme park once they closed their gates (March 16).
Walt Disney World Resort Parking Lot
Magic Kingdom Park Hub
One of the busiest parts of Magic Kingdom is the hub, located right in front of Cinderella’s Castle. On the left, you see the theme park on March 15 and on the right is a photo of the hub after the park closed its doors on March 16.
Above is another view of the busy Magic Kingdom hub — before and after the Walt Disney World coronavirus closure.
Blizzard Beach
On March 15, there were still several people enjoying the Blizzard Beach pool while they still could. Come March 16, not a single person is seen as the parks had officially closed.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Toy Story Land)
Toy Story Land is one of the busiest lands in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These two photos show a comparison to the Disney World crowds near Slinky Dog Dash on March 15 verses March 16.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)
The other extremely popular part of Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — Home to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. You can see in the photos above people still enjoying the theme park on March 15 (the left) compared to once Disney’s Hollywood Studios closed its doors to the guests.
EPCOT
The photos above show the Mexico Pavilion, located inside EPCOT. On March 15 there were still quite a few Disney guests wandering around and enjoying the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, but as you can see come March 16, the theme park became a ghost town.
For more incredible photos of Disney World and Universal Studios once the parks shut their doors, visit our article See Surreal Photos of Empty Disney World and Universal Studios! here.