Since I am getting so many messages and questions about the Coronavirus I decided to put all the information I have in one blog post here for you to reference. I will update this post as needed so bookmark it for future reference.
Update as of 3/27/2020 from Disney
Disney announced today that the Disneyland Resort will remain closed until further notice. They will continue to evaluate the complex situation. You will find all the details about rescheduling hotel reservations, annual passport information (updated 4/2/2020), tickets and upcoming events further below in this post. I will continue to keep you all informed as information is released.
Temporary closure at Disneyland
Disney announced on March 12, 2020 that it’s officially closing Disneyland and Disney California Adventure temporarily starting Saturday March 14th through March 31st. According to the Disneyland website, “after carefully reviewing the guidelines of the Governor of California’s executive order and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure.” Disney will continue to pay cast members during this time.
This is what we know for now. Will the closure go beyond the end of March, we will have to just wait and see. No one has a crystal ball to know the answer to this question. As of right now there are 3 Disney Parks overseas that are closed in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo. And just announced as of Monday morning March 16th Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris will be closed until the end of March. Every Disney park will be closed! In addition Disney cruises are suspended starting March 14th through the end of March. So Disney is not taking this situation lightly.
Other closures in Disneyland history
While it comes as a shock to see the parks temporarily closed it’s not the first time they have closed Disneyland. The last time Disneyland closed was after the attacks on September 11th in 2001. Disneyland also closed in 1963 after the assassination of President Kennedy as a day of mourning. And one other time they closed Disneyland after the Northridge Earthquake in 1994.
How this closure affects Annual Passholders?
See update for Annual Passholders as of 4/2/2020 below. The information came directly from the Disneyland website.
If you are an Annual Passholder who has paid in full:
As previously announced, all active Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders who have paid for their Passports in full will automatically have their Passport expiration date extended due to theme park closures to provide additional access opportunities at the end of the Passport term. The new expiration date will be reflected on the Annual Passholder’s Passport account prior to the reopening of the theme parks.
As an alternative, in lieu of an extension of their Passports, Passholders who have paid in full may choose to receive a partial refund for the theme park closure period. Information will be provided soon on how to choose this option.
If you are an Annual Passholder on the Monthly Payment Plan:
Effective April 5, 2020, we will automatically stop and waive all upcoming monthly payments while the theme parks are closed. We will also retroactively refund payments made between March 14 through April 4, 2020. Payments will resume on the Passholder’s regularly scheduled payment dates once the parks reopen. Please note, Passport expiration dates will not be extended and Passports will expire upon their originally scheduled expiration dates.
As an alternative, Guests who are paying for Disneyland Resort Annual Passes using our monthly payment program may choose to have their monthly payments postponed starting with payments due April 5 through the park closure period, and then resumed on the Passholder’s regularly scheduled payment date once the parks reopen. Postponed payments will be collected in the months following the end of the Passholder’s currently scheduled payment term. The Passport expiration date will be extended due to the theme park closures to provide additional access opportunities at the end of the Passport term.
The new expiration date will be reflected on the Annual Passholder’s Passport account prior to the reopening of the theme parks. Information will be provided soon on how to choose this option.
Our Annual Passholders are some of our most loyal Guests, and we stand ready to help during this incredibly uncertain time. If you have any questions, please contact Annual Passholder Member Services at (714) 781-7277. We do anticipate heavy call volume and appreciate your patience as we answer all inquiries.
Update on tickets purchased
Many have asked about tickets. Below is information that came directly from the Disneyland website.
Theme Park Tickets
If you planned to visit the Disneyland Resort theme parks while the parks are closed, and you have already purchased your tickets, you still have options to visit the parks:
- Unused single day tickets and wholly unused multi-day tickets are valid for a future visit through the end of their respective validity period. Check your individual ticket for details. Learn when your 1-day theme park ticket can be used.
- If you purchased a promotional Southern California Resident Ticket, the expiration date will be extended day-by-day for each day Disneyland Resort theme parks are closed.
- If you purchased a promotional Child Ticket and have not used it, the expiration date will be extended through December 15, 2020, and the ticket will expire 13 days after first use or December 15, 2020, whichever occurs first. Guests who used their first visit between February 28 and March 13, but did not reach their ticket’s maximum number of uses, will have the 13-day expiration period of the promotional ticket extended to December 15, 2020.
- If you purchased a promotional Canada Resident Ticket, or Australia/New Zealand Resident Ticket, and have not used it, the expiration date will be extended through May 31, 2021, and the ticket will expire 13 days after first use or May 31, 2021, whichever occurs first. Guests who made their first visit between February 28 and March 13, but did not reach their ticket’s maximum number of uses, will have the 13-day expiration period of their promotional tickets extended to May 31, 2021.
- There are no changes to the Military Salute Ticket offer. Tickets may be used on non-consecutive days and expire December 18, 2020.
- Ticket orders will not be shipped during the closure.
If you have questions, please call (714) 781-4636.
Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite
The Disneyland website was updated on 4-7-2020 with information about Villains Nite. No rescheduled date has been announced, but I will update this post when it is announced. Here is what the Disneyland website says …
The Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite will not take place as planned on April 30, 2020. We are working on rescheduling options and hope to have more to share soon. A current ticket for the Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite event would be automatically eligible for the rescheduled event option.
As an alternative, Guests who no longer wish to hold their current Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite event ticket may call (714) 781-4636 for assistance.
Should I cancel my future trips?
I would encourage you to reschedule don’t cancel your future trips. As of 3-28-2020 Disney said guests can modify their existing travel dates or make new reservations available for travel starting June 1, 2020 and later. Guests can modify these bookings if the Disneyland resort opens before or after that time. For questions on bookings made directly with them call 714-520-5050
For bookings made with Get Away Today through me they are offering free reschedules for travel this year and into 2021. They are busy helping guests reschedule vacations by calling 855-GET-AWAY 9am-5pm MT Monday – Friday.
General health tips
In the meantime I want to make sure you all stay safe and healthy. Here are just a few general health tips.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as often as possible.
- If you’re sick stay home.
- Cover your mouth when you cough in public.
- Stay away from people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
For the latest information check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. They also have a travel section you can visit. For more information you can call Disney directly at 714-781-4565
Make sure you’re following along on Instagram too. I share more tips and information there daily. As information comes in I will share over there.
