Credit: UniversalUniversal Studios announced today, March 16, 2020, that they will close its retail and dining district, CityWalk and its Resort hotels due to the concerns surrounding the continued spread of the coronavirus known as COVID-19.
As we continue to make the health and safety of our guests and team members our top priority and be responsive to current conditions, we have additional operational changes to announce at Universal Orlando Resort:
- We will close Universal CityWalk at Universal Orlando at midnight tonight, March 16
- We will close all hotels at Universal Orlando Resort at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 20
- We anticipate our closures will be through March 31
We are working hard to take care of the needs of our guests and team members. We have created flexible programs for guests who have booked travel packages, tickets or accommodations with us. Guests can call this number for more information: 877-801-9720. We will continue to monitor this ongoing situation and follow the guidance of the appropriate health agencies. Updates will be posted at https://www.universalorlando.
com/web/en/us.
This news does not come as much surprise since Walt Disney World made its decision to close down all of its Resort Hotels by 5:00 pm EDT March 20, and well as close all Disney-owned-and-operated establishments in the retail and dining district, Disney Springs. Disney will also suspend all of its transportation services by Wednesday, March 18. Click the links below to catch up on our coverage:
Read More: Universal Orlando Announces Temporary Theme Park Closure Amid Coronavirus Spread
Read More: Operations Update: Disney World Hotels, Disney Springs, Downtown Disney Closing
It was almost too good to be true when Universal and Disney World originally decided to keep their hotels and shopping and dining districts open. It was a glimmer of hope that some normalcy was still there. We could still take a break from out self-isolation to have a drink at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville or Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar. We could chill at Planet Hollywood or the Hard Rock Cafe. Take your pick! But now, that is not the case, and even the hotels are only remaining open to give people time to get back home.
Like Walt Disney World, we look to see Universal Studios Orlando back up and running after March 31. Inside the Magic will, of course, update you if those plans change.
Related: See Surreal Photos of Empty Disney World and Universal Studios!