Walt Disney World is ending all Disney College Program programs and sending participating cast members home once the theme parks close on March 16th, 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. These cast members will be paid through the end of March.
Cast members have also received emails that their housing complexes will be closing and they will need to depart by March 18th at 11am. Rent fees will be waived and employees will still be paid.
Walt Disney World theme parks are currently set to be closed through the end of March, but the closure could certainly be longer. Disney Springs and resort hotels will remain open in some capacity and Disney is said to still be staffing security, maintenance, and other vital positions (with non-College Program cast) beyond these locations throughout the closure.
Walt Disney World has released additional details for Annual Passholders impacted by the resort-wide closure coming up on March 16. The following email was sent to all Annual Passholders:
All active Walt Disney World Annual Passes will be extended for the number of days the parks are closed. Currently, the parks are set to be closed through the end of March, or just over two weeks. Passes with renewal windows ending during the closure will also receive an extension of time to renew. For Passholders participating in the Annual Pass Monthly Payment program, all monthly payments will continue as scheduled. Once your payments are completed, your will still have the extra days provided.
Details regarding these new pass regulations will be reflected on the My Disney Experience website and app in the coming weeks, and pass blockout and admission calendars will not be updated during the closure.
For those that are ready to head Into The Unknown again, you are in luck! The parks may be closing down temporarily, but Disney+ is here to remind us that we can still have some Disney magic, even while cooped up at home.
D23 has just announced that the movie’s release has been moved up three months in advance––from June 26 to this weekend on March 15. Here’s to hoping you bought some snacks and popcorn on that grocery/toilet paper shopping run this morning!
With a slew of other movie releases like “Mulan” now delayed, Disney is doing their best to keep fans happy and entertained amidst the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Depending on how long the effects of the pandemic last, we’re likely to see even more releases bumped up ahead of schedule.
Disney has clarified policies on how the closing will impact tickets, resorts, and dining at Walt Disney World. Get the latest information below.
Here is the information posted on Walt Disney World’s Website:
Update on Walt Disney World Resort Operations
In an abundance of caution, and in the best interest of our Guests and Cast Members, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, beginning March 16, through the end of the month.
The Walt Disney Company will pay its Cast Members during that closure period.
Disney Resort hotels and Disney Springs will remain open until further notice.
We will continue to stay in close contact with appropriate officials and health experts.
Below, you’ll find information on impacts to current and upcoming plans. Please continue to check this page for additional updates.
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 start date on or before 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, 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.
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.
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.
Yesterday, BBC World News reported that the European red carpet premiere for “Mulan” has been cancelled, due to concerns surrounding the outbreak, and government advisories that large gatherings should be avoided.
The premiere was set to take place in London, UK, March 12th. The screening of the film will still go ahead as usual. The Hollywood premiere event took place as planned on Monday night.
We are closely monitoring the rapid, global spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, which has already closed Disney Parks worldwide, and we will keep you updated as the news progresses.
