Disney news has been erratic and sudden for the past few weeks. As soon as we think the dust has settled, another closure announcement stirs it up again, and we are left even more confused in the haze. Here at Inside the Magic, we will continue to update you on the events as they unfold, but we also understand the importance to have one page where our readers can go for concise and complete information.
So, here is everything we know about Disney’s responses to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19.
Every Single Disney Resort is Closed or Closing
Since COVID-19 first emerged out of Wuhan, Mainland China, and began its spread all over the world, Disney Theme Parks have closed one by one. At this point, it’s just easier to list them out.
Disney Parks Closed (in order of closure):
- Shanghai Disney Resort
- Disneyland Shanghai
- Shanghai Disney Resort Hotels
- Disneytown (as of March 17th, attempts to reopen this section are underway)
- Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
- Disneyland Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Hotels
- Tokyo Disney Resort
- Tokyo Disneyland
- Tokyo DisneySea
- Tokyo Disney Resort Hotels
- Disneyland Resort (Anaheim, California)
- Disneyland Park
- Disney California Adventure Park
- Disneyland Resort Hotels
- Downtown Disney District
- Disneyland Paris Resort
- Disneyland Park
- Walt Disney Studios Park
- Disneyland Paris Resort Hotels
- Disney Village
- Walt Disney World Resort
- Magic Kingdom Park
- EPCOT
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Disney’s Blizzard Beach
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon (already closed for refurbishment)
- ESPN Wide World of Sport Complex
- Walt Disney World Resort Hotels (closing March 20, 2020)
- Disney Springs
- Walt Disney World Transportation will also shut down on March 18, 2020. However, Disney’s Magical Express will continue to offer transportation to and from Orlando International Airport through March 20.
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Hilton Head Resort are also closing due to coronavirus concerns.
As of now, the only resorts that will remain open ar Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa
The Situation with Disney Springs and Downtown Disney District
Disney’s two shopping and dining districts, Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and Downtown Disney District at Disneyland, are operated in partnership with third-party businesses. Disney has elected to close all of the shops and restaurants it operates while allowing the third-party businesses to remain open. However, many of those non-Disney-run establishments are deciding to close until further notice starting March 16, 2020.
Click the links below for full details:
Read More: List of Every Non-Disney Restaurant Temporarily Closing at Downtown Disney
Read More: List of Every Non-Disney Restaurant Temporarily Closing at Disney Springs
Read More: Disney Springs and Other AMC Theaters Closing for 6-12 Weeks
Read More: Sephora Temporarily Closing at Disney Springs and Downtown Disney
“I have a trip booked to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. What are my options?”
If you were planning to visit the Walt Disney World Resort…
TICKETS
May I get a refund on my ticket?
Unexpired multi-day theme park tickets with unused days, or date-specific theme park tickets with a start date on or before March 31, 2020 will automatically be extended to use any date through December 15, 2020. If you are unable to visit by December 15, 2020 you may apply the value of a wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a ticket for a future date.
Florida Resident Discover Disney Tickets may be used through July 31, 2020.
Guests who have purchased tickets for Disney After Hours, Disney Villains After Hours and Disney Early Morning Magic from March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020 will automatically be refunded.
ANNUAL PASSES
How does the closure of Walt Disney World impact annual passes?
Walt Disney World annual passes will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed, March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020.
RESORTS
I have a future stay at a Disney Resort hotel while the park is closed. What does that mean for my vacation?
Guests who have not checked in for stays between March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020 may modify or cancel their Disney Resort room reservation or Walt Disney Travel Company package up to their original check-in date. If no action is taken, Disney will automatically process a refund to the original form of payment within seven days of the original check-in date. If you did not book through Disney directly, please contact your local travel professional.
What if I want to cancel a Disney Resort hotel reservation after the parks reopen?
We will waive all Disney imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in through June 30, 2020.
DINING & OTHER EXPERIENCES
I have a pre-paid dining reservation or experience reservation like Driod Depot during the time when the parks are closed. Will I receive a refund?
Yes. All pre-paid dining and experience reservations will be automaticaly refunded if scheduled between March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020.
What happens to dining reservations that require a credit card at the time of booking?
Reservations made at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fee.
Learn More: Walt Disney World Answers Guest and Traveler Questions Regarding Park Closures
If you were planning to visit the Disneyland Resort…
If you planned to visit the Disneyland Resort theme parks between March 14, 2020 and March 31, 2020 and you have already purchased your tickets, you still have options to visit the parks:
- Unused 1-Day Tier 1-5 Tickets are valid through December 30, 2021. Admission dates vary depending on the type of ticket purchased.
- Unused multi-day tickets are valid for a future visit through January 12, 2022.
- If you purchased a promotional Southern California Resident Ticket, the expiration date will be extended day-by-day for each day Disneyland Resort theme parks are closed.
- If you purchased a promotional Child Ticket and have not used it, the expiration date will be extended through December 15, 2020. Guests who used their first visit between Feb. 28 and March 13, but did not reach their ticket’s maximum number of uses, will have a 14-day expiration period of the promotional ticket extended to Dec. 15, 2020.
- If you purchased a promotional Canada Resident Ticket or Australia/New Zealand Resident Ticket, the tickets must be used within 13 days of first use or by Jan. 13, 2021, whichever comes first. Guests who made their first visit between Feb. 28 and March 13, but did not reach their ticket’s maximum number of uses, will have the 14-day expiration period of their promotional ticket extended to Dec. 15, 2020.
- There are no changes to the Military Salute Ticket offer. Tickets may be used on non-consecutive days and expire Dec. 18, 2020.
During the temporary closure of the Disneyland Resort…
- Guests will be refunded the purchase price of any separately ticketed special events that were planned during the closure.
- Guests may cancel their room-only hotel reservations for scheduled stays during the closure and will receive a full refund.
- Guest may also cancel their reservations at any time and receive a full refund for the following experiences scheduled during the closure period:
- Dining Reservations
- Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures
- Savi’s Workshop-Handbuilt Lightsabers
- Droit Depot
- Disneyland Resort VIP Tours
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Annual Passports valid during the closure period will also be extended to cover the number of days the theme parks are closed.
Learn More: Disneyland Resort’s Updates to Guests Affected by Coronavirus
Please also be aware that all Disney Vacation Club points will also be fully refunded. Click here to learn more about the DVC situation.
“I booked a Disney Cruise for Spring Break! What are my options?”
According to the Disney Cruise Line website:
Departures through April 12
In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our guests and employees, Disney Cruise Line previously suspended all new departures beginning Saturday, March 14, though the end of March. In order to align with a subsequent announcement from Cruise Lines International Association, Disney Cruise Line will now extend the suspension of new departures through April 12, 2020. This precautionary measure applies to all 4 of Disney’s cruise ships.
As previously shared, while we know this decision may be disappointing, the health and well-being of our Guests and Crew Members is of the greatest importance.
The Disney Fantasy and Disney Magic returned to port today. The Disney Dream will return to Port Canaveral on Monday, March 16. 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 and travel agents wait to contact us until after they receive an email from us. As a reminder, Guests who booked their reservation through a travel agent should contact them directly to make any modifications.
Disney Magic Sailings Through May 8, 2020, and Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder Sailings Through May 31, 2020
- All Guests scheduled to depart on the Disney Magic between now and May 8, 2020 and the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder between now and May 31, 2020 can change their reservation up until the day before embarkation and receive a 100% cruise credit to be used for a future sailing within 15 months of their original sail date by calling us at (866) 325-2112 or (407) 566-3510 or contacting their travel agent. The credit is non-refundable and standard prevailing rates will apply.
Read More: UPDATE: Disney Cruise Line Suspends All New Sailings Through Mid-April
“I have a trip planned for early April, should I cancel?”
No. If you have a Disney trip planned for a time outside the current closure window (after March 31, 2020) then you do not get the same special treatment. You will have to pay the cancelation or change fees. Rather, we suggest you wait until the closure time is extended so you can take advantage of the leniency. Although, we are really hoping the park won’t stay closed longer.
These closures and policies are constantly changing and we at Inside the Magic will continue to update our readers as new information comes to light.
