Unless you have been living under a rock the last month or so then you have heard the growing scare that has been building the rapidly spreading Coronavirus. As cases have now arrived in the United States and more recently, some here in Florida, Disney has chosen to come out with an official statement on how they are monitoring the situation and taking steps to stop the virus from spreading:
Disney World Closure
In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our Guests and Cast Members, Disney World has announced the closure of their theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, beginning March 16, through the end of the month. However, not everything will be closed here in Orlando. Disney Resort hotels will remain open until further notice. Disney Springs will also remain open.
Below, you’ll find information straight from Disney on impacts to current and incoming plans. For more information read their page here.
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 valid use period during the period March 12, 2020 through 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 be automatically 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 and guests have not checked in, 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.
Note: Refunded amounts for Walt Disney Travel Company packages will be less cancellation fees imposed by 3rd-party suppliers, including airlines, rentals cars, and 3rd party hotels as well as non-refundable products like travel protection plans.
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.
Note: Refunded amounts for Walt Disney Travel Company packages will be less cancellation fees imposed by 3rd-party suppliers, including airlines, rentals cars, and 3rd party hotels as well as non-refundable products like travel protection plans.
DINING & OTHER EXPERIENCES
I have a pre-paid dining reservation or experience reservation like Droid Depot during the time when the parks are closed. Will I receive a refund?
Yes. All pre-paid dining and experience reservations will be automatically refunded if scheduled between March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020.
What happens to dining reservations that required 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.
FASTPASS+
Do I need to cancel my FastPass+ reservation scheduled for March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020 when the parks are closed?
All FastPass+ reservations during this time period will be automatically cancelled.
Message about Coronavirus/COVID-19 from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel
As you may know from the news, COVID-19, commonly known as novel coronavirus 2019, has become a more widespread concern. As part of our commitment to the health and well-being of our cast, guests and the larger community, we are carefully monitoring the evolving coronavirus situation and are in regular contact with health agencies for information and guidance. Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, are welcoming guests as usual and we continue to implement preventive measures in line with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies.
Walt Disney World, Disneyland and all of our parks and resorts around the world have high standards of cleanliness, which assists with illness prevention, and we have health and safety protocols in place, such as:
- Training for cast members, with ongoing reinforcement on a regular basis
- Defined cycles for frequent cleaning and disinfection of targeted areas
- Easy access to handwashing facilities and hand sanitizers
- Quick response to spills, trash and other situations
- End of day sanitation procedures for restroom, kitchen, and other facilities
- Frequent cleaning and “wash down” of outdoor locations, including walkways and queues
Additionally, our onsite health teams and leaders are communicating with our cast members about illness prevention, including the guidance of the CDC. The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs, such as staying home when sick, washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, following proper respiratory cough etiquette, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
The CDC provides more detailed coronavirus information on its website and as always, your personal physician is a valuable resource for specific medical questions you may have. If you have any questions about visiting Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, please call 407-WDisney.
Please visit Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort to learn more about our health and safety measures for the coronavirus.
Thank you,
Dr. Pamela Hymel
Chief Medical Officer
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
The good news is when the parks re-open they already have many measures in place for increased cleanliness. Of course, remember the good practices everyone is saying in the medical field. The best defense is keeping those hand washed! Make sure you are washing and scrubbing a whole round through the alphabet.
While Disney World has added hand sanitizer stations at all their dining locations which I will say was handy on my trip there last week. I normally don't think much about getting sick at Disney but with all the hype I found myself seeking out a bathroom to wash my hand every meal and frequently telling myself stop touching my face and sanitize those hands!
Another newly added rollout is these portable handwashing stations. These are a great complement to the bathrooms placed strategically around the parks. I am sure if you are a fellow female you can relate to having to wait in a long bathroom line. It happens at least once on a Disney trip. Now with the encouragement of extra handwashing, this just makes it all the easier to do so.
Let us know if you have any other questions about the Coronavirus and Disney World in the comment section below. We would also like to hear from you if you have moved your travel plans in light of the recent events.
I have been visiting the parks annually since my parents first brought me at just a year old. Recently I was able to fulfill my life long dream of being a Florida local and moved from the wintery Northeast to the sunshine and fun of central Florida. Now I am hoping to share my Disney knowledge with you so you can have the best vacation possible!
