Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Disneyland Paris Closing Through the End of March, 2020 (Information)

Hi everyone –

Walt Disney World (Florida) and Disneyland (California) will be closing due to Coronavirus through at least the end of the month. Today (March 13th, 2020) is the last day that Disneyland will be open and Sunday (March 15th, 2020) will be the final day this month for Walt Disney World as well as Disneyland Paris. No Disney parks will then be open for a time. While the Walt Disney Company says the parks will be closed through the end of the month, that could change and the timeframe could certainly be extended. While it was a surprise how quickly the parks are closing, it is absolutely the right thing to happen so to help stop the spread of COVD-19.

We plan to finish out some time in the parks and resorts this weekend but mostly in areas with a little distance between guests. Also, the resorts and Disney Springs will be remaining open – at least for now. Anything can change. There are a lot of questions that Disney has been answering and that I have been asked – so I wanted to pass along what Disney has stated. And really, the most frequent question I have been asked is about what may happen in April. There is no way to know that yet. I hope everyone stays healthy so you can reschedule your next trip for when the parks reopen.

The Walt Disney Company will be paying Cast Members during the closure. Also I suggest if your trip is further out, to not call Disney or your travel agent today about April and May (and later). As a former travel professional, I would say to allow for a couple of days to let those scheduled this month to cancel and modify their trips. Call centers and travel professionals will be overwhelmed for a bit.

This information below is current as of March 13th, 2020. Most is verbatim from Disney although a few lines I shortened (Fastpass+, Disney After Hours)

Walt Disney World

Regarding tickets: Unexpired multi-day theme park tickets with unused days, or date-specific theme park tickets with a valid use period during the period March 12th, 2020 and March 31st, 2020 will automatically be extended to use at any date through December 15th, 2020. If you are unable to visit by December 15th, 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 31st, 2020.

Tickets for Disney After Hours and Disney Early Morning Magic from March 16th, 2020 through March 30th, 2020 will be automatically refunded.

Regarding Annual Passes: Walt Disney World annual passes will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed, March 16th through March 31st, 2020. (From Denise – I assume this will be extended if the closure is extended).

Regarding future resort stays while the parks are closed: Guests who have not checked in for stays between March 16th, 2020 through March 31st, 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 travel professional.

Regarding future stays after the parks reopen: Disney will waive imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in through June 30th, 2020.

Regarding dining: Prepaid dining and experience reservations will automatically be cancelled if scheduled between March 16th, 2020 and March 31st, 2020.

Reservations made at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fee. (From Denise – this might not include resort and Disney Springs restaurants).

Regarding Fastpass+ – During the closed time period in March, Fastpass+ reservations will self-cancel.

Disneyland

Disneyland has not given as much directive yet, but Downtown Disney will be open and guests can call the Walt Disney Travel Company at (714) 520-5050 for cancellations and to rebook. Read more here.

Disneyland Paris

As noted on the Disneyland Paris website:

Disneyland Paris will temporarily close at the end of business on Sunday, March 15, 2020.

In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our Guests and Cast Members, we are proceeding with the closure of Disneyland Paris, beginning at the end of business on Sunday, March 15, through the end of the month.

The Disney Hotels will remain open until further notice to give Guests the ability to make necessary travel arrangements. The retail and dining complexes of Disney Village will remain open.

If you hold a reservation at a Disney Hotel for arrivals until June 1, 2020, we have waived all modification and cancellation fees until April 15th and we are offering you the same price if you wish to postpone your stay through Oct 15th 2020 (excluding transportation).

We anticipate heavy call volume over the next several days and appreciate your patience as we work hard to respond to all inquiries.