Currently, the four Walt Disney World theme parks (and both water parks) are temporarily closed as part of the efforts to promote safety due to concerns over the Coronavirus. However, following closure of the parks, select areas of the Resort remained in service of guests during a transitional phase.
As the Resort went through its closing phases, we continually updated this post daily as various parts of the Resort begin their temporary closures, and we are keeping it current at this time. Here is an at-a-glance list of the status of Disney World operations.Â
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
Walt Disney World Resort hotels are temporary closed as of Friday, March 20th, at 5:00 PM.Â
(Note that the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel closed its doors on March 17th, and remaining guests were transferred to the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel.) Elsewhere on property, Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World announced that its temporary closure will take place from March 24th through April 5th and Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace has temporarily suspended operations and is not accepting reservations through April 30, 2020.
Operation Updates within the Resort Hotels
The Resort restaurants remained in operation through 5:00 PM, March 20th, including Character Meals. However, Disney shared that Character dining experiences may have modified experiences and characters present the week of March 16th through March 20th, following the closure of the parks.
Closures at the Resorts which were already in effect include the two Resort dinner shows — Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Fort Wilderness and the Spirit of Aloha at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort — which were cancelled as of March 16, 2020. (Guests who had made reservations for these experiences will receive an automatic refund.)
Resort spas and salons services were also suspended, and the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique location in Disney’s Grand Floridian is now closed.Â
The Electrical Water Pageant around the Magic Kingdom area Resort hotels has been temporarily cancelled.Â
The following experiences were also all temporarily canceled:Â
- All Fireworks cruises including Pirates & Pals Fireworks Dessert Voyage, and Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise
- Highway in the Sky Dine Around and Celebration at the Top: Savor, Sip, and Sparkle
- Day Cruise Around the World, Grand 1 Yacht Rentals, and Disney Vacation Club Seven Seas Tasting Cruise
Guests who had reserved these experiences will receive automatic refunds.
Disney’s Magical Express
Disney’s Magical Express — which provides Walt Disney World guests transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport — remained in operation for Resort guests through March 20th, 2020, but has now temporarily ended its service.Â
Disney Transportation
All Walt Disney World transportation options (including buses and the Walt Disney Resort Monorail) closed as of March 18th.Â
Walt Disney World Sports Complex and Golf
Walt Disney World Golf and FootGolf — at press time — remain open and on their regular operating schedule. Visit golfwdw.com for more information, or call (407) WDW-GOLF.
The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and miniature golf locations, however, are closed.
Disney Springs
Disney announced that all Disney owned and operated locations in Disney Springs temporarily closed on March 17th. For several days following, independent tenants in Disney Springs were able to make their own decisions regarding operations. However, according to the Walt Disney World website, all locations at Disney Springs are now temporarily closed.
As a reminder, Disney has stated that these measures are taken in “an abundance of caution” for the safety of all Walt Disney World guests and Cast Members.
Rachel says
Is there anyway you could do a timeline of closures of the other parks? Date when Shanghai closes, first date they say will reopen and date when it’s get pushed back? Same with Hong Kong and Paris? Just curious what we might come to expect if trajectories are similar.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!
Patricia king says
Is there any news on reopen. So I can reschedule if need be
Karin Indig says
Thank you so much for closing all the Disney destinations due to the Coronavirus! Disney is the leader of premier vacation locations. Everyone the world over wants to be a part of Disney from a park visit to a Mickey Mouse Tshirt or sticker. Just the word Disney brings a spark of happiness and a grin to everyone’s face. Because of this, all Disney places would be crowded with a sure spreading outbreak of the Coronavirus. Disney was thoughtful and courageous to shut everything down and surely prevented the spread of individuals carrying the virus to their homes throughout the world. Thank you Disney!
MargaretR says
Planning a fun vacation for the family starting May 8th.
I’m not sure if we should cancel. What do you think?
DFB Sarah says
Patricia, no word yet.
Ron Mueller says
We are less than a month away from the Star Wars run; while they plan to proceed, when is the Go/No Go decision to be made?
Christina says
Is the Four Seasons Orlando still open?
James Simon says
Thank you Disney for doing what you did to protect your Disney Family – I had to cancel two upcoming resort stays one of which was a family reunion! Better be safe now and look forward to rescheduling when the time is right – Have A Magical Day!
Arne Shulstad says
I’d like to ask if you could list the specific non-Disney restaurants that are still open at Disney Springs, and what their current plans are for staying open. Airfares are ridiculously cheap right now, and it is tempting to come to Orlando anyway, even if it is largely deserted. Thanks.
Mary says
Disney says they’re closed but your saying the hotels are still open. Why , it’s confusing??
JoviChick says
We are scheduled to leave May 9th and I currently have no plans to cancel. I am a wait and see mode- I know that if they are still closed I know that they will let me move it.
Rob says
Does cirque du Soleil really believe it’s appropriate to be packing people into a theatre in the current crisis. Yet they say they’re going ahead. I was due to come from uk in April but USA/uk government have banned travelling. Yet cirque du Soleil won’t refund my single wheelchair space for April. I wouldn’t be able to come again for a year.
DFB Sarah says
Mary, Resorts are closing as well, now. Post has been updated.
DFB Sarah says
Arne, we’re updating this post with every bit of new info we get.
DFB Sarah says
Christina, according to their website it appears they are.
DFB Sarah says
Christina, scratch that. They just announced they’re closing, too.
Joyce Hasson says
My grandson is supposed to perform at Disney Springs the first week of April Chorus and Band and then spend time in Disney World with my family coming from Pennsylvania. WE NEED TO KNOW IF DISNEY WORLD ORLANDO WILL BE OPEN THE FIRST WEEK OF APRIL???
Charlene Woodard says
WE have reservations at Fort Wilderness Campground from May 16th thru 23rd.Is it possible they will be open?
Joyce Hasson says
We are supposed to come to Disney
On August 18 thru August 23. We have
Two magic bands (tickets) bought
total $1500.00 If Disney parks especially Universal Studios & you are still closed CAN WE GET A REFUND OR
USE THE BANDS NEXT YEAR IF WE
CANNOT COME DURING THIS TIME????