2020 is shaping up to be a devastating year for the Disney Company as preparations are being taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. With stricter guidelines from the federal government and local state authorities, Disney has already executed the following to do their part in reducing the risk of guests and staff becoming infected:
Facts:
Disneyland Resort closed beginning the morning of March 14, also through the end of the month. Their Anaheim hotels would remained open for a few more days to give people a chance to make other travel arrangements, but they will also remain closed through the end of March.
-On Thursday, March 12, Disney announces that their theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort would be closing down at the end of the day on Sunday, March 15.
At this time, the parks will remain closed through the end of the month of March.
-Starting March 17th all Disney Stores will remain closed until the end of March.
-Disney Cruises have been postponed until the end of March.
Affects On Disney Employees:
Disney’s College Program Employees
Disney has sent emails to College Program participants stating that they have ended the program indefinitely, effective March 16th, and that all participants are required to collect their belongings and depart their housing complexes by March 18 at 11 a.m.
The Disney College Program housing complexes will then be closed and disinfected.
Disney has also suspended Disney Culinary Program, Disney Cultural Exchange Program, and Disney Academic Exchange Program, effective March 16.
Disney Terminates World Showcase Entertainers and Musicians
As of March 15th, all EPCOT World Showcase entertainers and musicians have held their final performances, this includes:
-The UK Pavilion’s “British Revolution
-Japan Pavilion’s Matsuriza Taiko Drum Group
-Italy’s Funny Sergio The Italian Juggler
Their shows will end indefinitely and Disney has asked them to find other employment.
“British Revolution” held over 11,000 shows and Matsuriza Taiko Drum Group has been at EPCOT for over two and a half decades. This farewell is beyond crushing for the individuals involved whom have to now travel home or find other local employment.
Walt Disney World Resorts & Hotels
Disney is also set to close all of its hotels at Walt Disney World Resort and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort starting at 5 p.m. on March 20. Park Officials said Friday’s closure will give guests time to make other arrangements off Disney property.
Disney Springs
At the time of this article posting, Disney will close all of its owned and operated locations at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World and the Downtown Disney District in Disneyland Resort effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
Individual tenants have now confirmed they will become closed as well during this time frame.
Disney and The Coming Months – Some Thoughts:
We are in unknown waters at the moment with everyday bringing additional closures worldwide for the common health of our communities and each other.
Disney is projected to stay closed past April 1st, 2020. Yes you read that correctly, Disney will be closed longer than these two weeks. This isn’t speculation, but mostly well educated observations.
-Disney Co. has just eliminated thousands of jobs throughout their theme park’s who help fill World Showcase and other essential positions at the resort.
– Disney is closing down its resorts seven business days before they project to open up again, this wouldn’t be practical in the least.
– The CDC is recommending crowds no larger than 10 people for the foreseeable future.
Many company insiders are informing us that Disney plans to stay closed as long as the virus has been deemed a serious health risk to the country and its guests.
Others are speculating that when Disney parks do reopen, if EPCOT will at all in the current state it is in. With thousands of employees being sent back to their Home Counties, it is speculated Disney doesn’t plan on having the park operate with the other three when the time comes.
The United States Health Officials are projecting that we won’t see the diminishing effects of COVID-19, until July or August, 2020. This pandemic isn’t going to go away in two weeks and governors around the country have asked everyone to do their part and social distance from one another to help flatten the curve of potential outbreaks against this highly contagious virus.
As more information becomes readily available we will pass it onto you if deemed appropriate to Disney.
Photo credit: MiceChat.com