Disneyland, Disney World closed until further notice, cast members paid through April 18
Disneyland and Walt Disney World will remain closed until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Walt Disney Co. said Friday.
Cast members can expect to get paid at least through April 18, according to a statement released by the company.
“While there is still much uncertainty with respect to the impacts of COVID-19, the safety and well-being of our guests and employees remains The Walt Disney Company’s top priority.
“As a result of this unprecedented pandemic and in line with direction provided by health experts and government officials, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort will remain closed until further notice. The Walt Disney Company has been paying its cast members since the closure of the parks, and in light of this ongoing and increasingly complex crisis, we have made the decision to extend paying hourly parks and resorts cast members through April 18.”
Disney states that it will soon be sharing additional options for booking and modifying vacations. Disney has asked for patience as lines will be jammed and encourage people to make adjustments online.
As more specific information on tickets, rooms, etc. are made available, we will share them here. Please keep checking back with us as well.
Disney World first closed its theme parks on March 16, Disney Springs on March 17 and the resorts on March 20.
The announcement came days after both Orange and Osceola counties, where Disney is located, announced shelter-in-place orders that go into effect March 26 at 11 p.m. through April 9. This is an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. During this time all non-essential activities are prohibited.
Disney World has previously stated that its resort would remain closed through April 1. But that timetable was always been in question once the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended on March 15 that no gatherings of 50 or more take place in the U.S. for eight weeks. That would have given the earliest opening for Disney as mid-May.