While the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation initially looked favorable in Japan, things have taken a turn for the worse. On the evening of April 7th, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a state of emergency through May 6th for 7 Japanese prefectures. These include Chiba, the home of Tokyo Disney Resort, as well as Tokyo, Osaka, and others. As such, the Oriental Land Company has announced that the Tokyo Disney Resort closure will be extended though at least mid-May, to an undetermined date.
The opening of the vast New Fantasyland expansion is now also set for an unknown date to be determined later.
This closure applies to both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. The Ikspiari shopping mall adjacent to Tokyo Disney Resort will also be closed during this time.
Guests with unused tickets dated or expiring between February 29th-May 31st, 2020 can have their ticket changed to an open-dated ticket expiring March 31st, 2021. Guests with Annual Passports will have the expiration date extended. Details will be released later.
Events scheduled to end during the closure, including Fantasmic!, Very Very Minnie, and Pixar Playtime were not extended. Ariel’s Greeting Grotto, Lilo’s Luau and Fun, and other offerings set to close March 31st also were not extended. However, souvenir food items and event merchandise will be sold for a short period after re-opening. Details will be announced later. No word on how this will affect the planned Disney Easter event that was set to begin March 27th at Tokyo DisneySea.
The Disney Resort Line is scheduled to continue limited operations as announced last week. The Disney Hotels closed on April 1st.
While we’re very disappointed to see this development, it’s for the best. The safety of Guests and Cast Members is the highest priority, and it’s critical that the COVID-19 situation gets closer to under control. No Disney parks are currently operating across the world.
How does pineapple, sweet rolls, potatoes, cookies, and even ti leaves sound? Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii is closed but the magic is still flowing! The Aulani Resort is donating fresh food to the surround community. Check out the details below from DisneyParksBlog:
The bountiful fresh food normally enjoyed by Aulani Resort guests won’t go to waste during Aulani’s temporary closure. That’s because it will be used to feed the community through a donation made to Aloha Harvest, a food collection and redistribution organization located on Oahu. Over the past week, Aulani Resort has donated approximately 7,000 pounds of perishable food to Aloha Harvest, which delivers it the same day to social service agencies across the island to help feed those in need.
“Donations like this are so important during times of uncertainty,” said Aloha Harvest Executive Director “Phil” Augustus Acosta. “This food helps ensure that people who are already faced with hunger continue to receive resources.”
The donation included fresh fruit and vegetables such as pineapples, watermelons, lemons, lettuce and onions, bread and milk products, as well as treats such as cupcakes, cookies and popcorn.
“Over the past nine years, Aulani Resort has contributed to the community in a number of ways. That’s why during these unprecedented times, this donation was the kindest and most heartwarming decision to make,” said Aulani Resort General Manager Kimberly Agas.
We are living in a time that none of us expected just a few weeks ago. Schools are closed, people are working from home, and our definition of “essential” has changed. The Disney Parks are closed, and we don’t know when we’ll be able to complain about a 240 minute wait for Flight of Passage again. Even though we can only virtually ride Pirates of the Caribbean, Disney still can put a smile on our faces. Here is a lighthearted look at some Disney songs that seem to be designed to help us through this crisis. When one gets stuck in your head, go ahead and sing out loud. If you’re following the CDC guidelines, the only people who will hear you are those who already know that you’re going a bit stir crazy.
Thanks to DisDining.com for this list:
1. “Bare Necessities”from “The Jungle Book”
This one is obvious. Some people have been hoarding, which has made it hard to find essential items such as toilet paper. Baloo had it right. When you head out, “forget about your worries and your strife”, and just purchase “the bare necessities”. Plan your trip to the store ahead of time, and make a list of what you will need until your next trip. You won’t need 24 pounds of pasta. Leave some on the shelf for others, who might be running low. If you have extra, consider donating to a local food bank.
2. “Part of Your World”from “The Little Mermaid”
Everyone needs to stay at home until the current crisis has passed. That has many people dreaming about the world outside. We are spending most of our time within our own four walls at the moment. We can relate to Ariel when she sings “I want to be where the people are”. But unlike Ariel, we know better at the moment. We can’t be where people are, because groups of ten or more are considered unsafe.
3. “Mother Knows Best” from “Tangled”
Kids, this one is for you. Staying home from school and learning from home is not always easy. But just remember, your mother knows what is best for you. She is trying her hardest to make sure that you get your work done, and even though you may not see it, she is on edge as well. Forget about the fact that in “Tangled” Mother Gothel was really a kidnapper who only had her own looks in mind. Stick with the title, and give poor Mom (and Dad) a break. That will make everything easier on everyone, including yourself.
4. “Let It Go”from “Frozen”
Okay, moms, now it’s your turn. You’ve probably heard that you need to count to ten when something bothers you. Elsa has her own idea, she thinks that you should “let it go”. Is the thing that is bothering you at the moment going to be a big deal in a week, or even in an hour? If it isn’t really important, take Elsa’s advice. If it is going to be a problem down the road, remind the kids that mother knows best.
Elsa – Disney – Frozen
5. “When You Wish Upon a Star”from “Pinocchio”
Going out is something that none of us are supposed to do right now. That said, that does not mean (in most cases) that we can’t go outside. Fresh air can make you feel better and lift your spirits. Walk through the front or back door first thing in the evening, and look up. If you can’t go outside, look out the window. Stare at the first star that you see, and make a wish. It “makes no difference who you are”, we could all use a dream coming true right about now.
6. “You’re Welcome”from “Moana”
People are finally starting to appreciate cashiers, restaurant staff members, health care workers, and emergency personnel. These and all other essential workers have always deserved our thanks, but often they have not received it. Because of the crisis, many of us are finally starting to thank the people who put their health and safety on the line in order to keep things going. Volunteers should be included with this as well. Since we’re thanking them, their proper response is “you’re welcome”. They may not be demigods like Maui, but they are truly heroes.
The whole idea behind “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” is that it’s a word to say when you don’t know what else to say. There are no words to describe what is going on at the moment. At least “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” is a word that sounds upbeat. Saying it just might put a smile on your face. If you sing it, you just might end up laughing. That could lead to another song from “Mary Poppins”, namely “I Love to Laugh”. A little bit of laughter can help to make things easier during any crisis.
8. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”from “Toy Story”
The rules of social distancing state that we can’t get closer than six feet to those who do not live in our homes. That does not mean that we need to stay away from our friends, at least not virtually. Call, text, or video chat with your friends. Check up on them, and make sure that they do not feel alone. The “Toy Story” movies have taught us the importance of friendship. Don’t forget your friends and family who you can’t see at the moment.
9. “Hakuna Matata”from “The Lion King”
“What a wonderful phrase”! It is hard to not worry right now, since things are so much up in the air. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, and we don’t know when life will return to some semblance of normal. In the midst of all of this, we have seen people who could be the definition of “hakuna matata”. Birthdays are being celebrated by drive-by parades. Children and grandchildren are connecting with their elderly relatives through windows and cell phones. Restaurants that are struggling to remain open with curbside service are receiving tips that will take off some of the financial strain. Neighbors are taking care of their neighbors, even from across the street. Masks are being made and donated by the thousands. We all have chances to say “hakuna matata” in one way or another. Timon and Pumbaa have it right, we need a “problem-free philosophy” right about now.
Following previous county-specific stay-at-home orders, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has now issued a stay-at-home order for the entire state of Florida. The order goes into effect tonight at midnight and will last for at least 30 days through May 2.
Only essential services will be allowed to operate. A list of services will be released, and some businesses can be added to the list if they are deemed essential. Walt Disney World Resort and the rest of Orlando’s theme parks have been deemed non-essential since the initial stay-at-home orders issued by Orange and Osceola Counties.
All Disney Parks remain closed indefinitely, with the only earliest travel dates to book a reservation at Walt Disney World Resort currently starting at June 1 and later.
If there is something positive to emerge from the current public health crisis, it is the coming together of people to help people. The amazing stories of both individuals and companies filling needs where they are able have been a source of joy. Disney is at it again, this time stepping up to help our medical heroes in the midst of shortages of critical medical supplies, specifically personal protective equipment. First and foremost, we applaud every medical hero out there, literally risking their own health and lives to serve the needs of others. We also applaud companies like Disney jumping in to help. Check out the details of this very clever way. Disney is clearing out its supplies to help the medical community.
Here are all the details from a Disney Cast Member:
Since taking the unprecedented steps of closing our theme parks and stores and suspending our cruises, we have continued to focus on ways we can make a difference during this time.
In response to requests from hospitals that are in need of additional protective garments and medical-related supplies, Disney Parks has donated 150,000 rain ponchos to MedShare, a humanitarian aid organization, for distribution to hospitals in need. The idea was inspired by nurses across the country who inventively found that rain ponchos can be an excellent way to protect their clothing and prolong the use of PPE, while also freeing up gowns when needed.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything we’ve seen before,” said Charles Redding, MedShare CEO and President. “We have to find ways to pool our resources and work together to help the healthcare workers who are doing their very best to treat patients and contain COVID-19. We appreciate Disney partnering with us to support hospitals and healthcare workers on the frontlines.”
Disney Parks also recently donated more than 100,000 N95 masks to the states of New York, California and Florida, and is finding additional ways to give back.
These efforts follow the recent donation of more than 270 tons of food to local food banks from Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. Since March, Disney Parks have provided nearly $3M in in-kind donations benefitting communities around the globe.
Disney Parks has a longstanding history of helping hospitals and communities, dating back to the 1930s, when Walt, himself, took Disney characters and animators on outreach visits. Sharing the magic of Disney continues today through contributions, collaborating with nonprofit organizations, in-kind gifts, and employee volunteerism. These are some of the ways Disney brings positive, lasting change to communities around the world.
