Yesterday, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom did what several governors have already done: ban large gatherings, like parades, sporting events, concerts and the like. The issue with Gov. Newsom’s order was that he left in a massive loophole: theme parks. He said Disneyland, Universal Studios and other California theme parks were exempt from the order. People were initially outraged, but then Disneyland went ahead and did the sh-t anyway:
The “Happiest Place on Earth” is closing its doors to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Disney announced Thursday that its Anaheim, Calif. attractions, the Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, would temporarily cease operations starting Saturday, March. 14.
The statement read, “While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Disneyland Resort, 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 of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, beginning the morning of March 14 through the end of the month. The Hotels of Disneyland Resort will remain open until Monday, March 16 to give guests the ability to make necessary travel arrangements; Downtown Disney will remain open. We will monitor the ongoing situation and follow the advice and guidance of federal and state officials and health agencies. Disney will continue to pay cast members during this time.”
Universal Studios Hollywood has also since followed suit, announcing in a statement, “The health and safety of our team members and guests is always our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution and in response to the guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health, Universal Studios Hollywood will temporarily close beginning Saturday, March 14. The theme park anticipates reopening on March 28 as we continue to monitor the situation.”
I think that’s the right call, even though Disneyland hasn’t been the site of any kind of outbreak, and even though it’s mostly younger people (younger parents, and under-21 peeps) going to Disneyland anyway, and those are the demographics not being hit as hard by the virus. The bigger concern is… will Disney still pay their people during the closure? Will Universal Studios? Probably not. And that suuucks.
Also, this made me think about how so many schools and universities have Spring Break coming up and what if those kids plan on traveling to do Spring Break things? Lord, it could be an absolute mess.
Photos courtesy of Getty.
It’s a minor side effect of this horrendous pandemic, but spring break is pretty much gone this year. I don’t know about college kids but all the other parents I know have canceled their spring breaks. I was taking my kids to NY to see Hamilton and with Broadway closing down yesterday we are officially having a staycation. For me it’s a disappointment but nothing compared to the people and industries that are already barely scraping by. All of these cancellations are going to cause so many people to struggle, and I was just reading how Trump has cut or scaled back many of the safety nets that are supposed to kick in when there’s an economic downtown. So his cruelty and incompetence will harm Americans in so many ways in the weeks and months ahead. And yet still people support him. Ugh. I’m just filled with rage!
Oh, I wish! I’m in the Midwest with confirmed cases, and every single one of the 5 families on my block went to Florida, some still there now. And, every one of both of my daughters’ friends went somewhere by plane over spring break- most to Florida. So…. people are still flying all around here.
Wow. That’s wild. I’m here in Wisconsin where we have confirmed cases and with one exception everyone I know has canceled their trips. There is one family that still went to Florida, but my friend hates winter so much I think she’d risk anything to get some sun and warmth!
I had tickets, a great hotel, and a car booked for Ireland-a birthday gift for my husband that I bought almost a year ago. Not happening now, obviously. I likely won’t even get a full discount.
I try not to sulk too much, because I know this is serious and people are dying, but it is ok to be disappointed, right?
It says in your excerpt that disney will continue to pay cast members during this time, but I believe I saw somewhere that it was only full time cast members so that’s a whole other issue.
I am glad they are taking these precautionary measures, as people’s health and safety do come first. But also selfishly, I hope they’re able to reopen before April 29th, I was going for my first Disneyland and trip to the west coast in my life! Preparing for that not to happen and reminding myself it’s for the best 🙏🏻
They mention cast members, which I take to mean Mickey, Minnie, Cinderella, etc. They don’t say anything about any of the other employees though, so they probably won’t be paid. Which is awful if true. Disney can certainly afford to do so, it’s not like they’re a small struggling company with a shoestring checking account.
I believe in Disney-speak, the term cast members refers to anyone who works at the park.
Cast member = employee
Its not just Disneyland – Disney World in Florida is closing and Disney Cruise Line is suspending all cruises. I think Disneyland Paris and Shanghai are closing as well.
it really sucks for people who depend on Disney – even if they pay the FT cast members, there are many others in those areas who will be affected – from uber drivers to the restaurants etc. And then of course you have the families that have planned these trips and have saved the money and time off – even if you get your money back so you can go again, you have to redo all your dining and FPs and hope that you can get the same hotel or flight or whatever, plus just the general disappointment.
All that said – this is absolutely the right choice. there are a LOT of older people at Disney, bc so many extended families go together, and even if its all young people – you still want to contain it as much as possible. So I can imagine it was a tough decision, but they made the right call.
My kid is there now working as a cast member for the college program. They have given her absolutely no info. I want her home now in case airports end up closed but her “team leader” is saying stay because they might redeploy her to a still open hotel or to a retail location off property. I don’t really care if she gets paid, but I don’t want them charging her rent for the dorm during the closure if they don’t pay her. Disney is a terrible company to work for and the college program is even worse. They take complete advantage of the kids and charge astronomical housing fees. $200 per week per kid and they put 6 kids in each apartment. I want her to just quit and come home if they won’t be flexible but she wants to be able to do it again so she doesn’t want to quit. I guess if it gets worse I’ll have to drive the 20 hours from NY to pick her up. It’s a mess.
My husband is also a CM. He will be able to continue working because his job involves maintaining the park, but he will likely just use his vacation time. They aren’t really giving anyone a lot of information. This is unprecedented for Disney, so I think they are going to figure it out as they go.
My daughter is also in the college program, the lack of information they are providing to them is absurd.
The Smithsonian shut down all its museums and the national zoo today. Several of the presidential libraries have closed (the JFK had several staff members exposed), most art museums have closed or canceled larger events, concerts and plays are canceled everywhere as are all large sports events.
Casinos need to be looked at. One of the covoid19 positive Utah Jazz players was at the local casino here last week.
I thought I read that they were still keeping things like Disney Springs and all of their restaurants open. And basically anything in general that is not the actual park so people are down there they still do have some things to do
Thank goodness. Trying to enforce 6 ft of social distancing while waiting in line or walking from place to place just wasn’t going to happen at Disneyland. And while young one aren’t being hit hard by the virus, how often do they see older, at risk ones like heir grandparents? Better safe than sorry.
On a personal note, I loaded my parents up with food and asked them to stay home for the time being. Locally, there are more and more cases being confirmed. I’d much rather run any errands they need and keep them safely isolated at this time. With so little testing, it’s the wild, Wild West out there.
I’m glad they closed, it’s the right decision. I know a few people who just came back from DW and have the flu.
My state’s governor is speaking now, and addressing so many issues connected with this. If you can, kick a couple bucks over to your local food bank or food pantry.
I read that Disney was still paying employees. But maybe I misread that.
I’m from Switzerland, and as of today and until the 30th of April, every school in the country is closed, gathering of more than a 100 people are banned, leisure places where more than 50 people can stand are closed (cinemas, theatres, museums, sport centers, clubs, restaurants and so on), markets are a no go too.
People are asked to work from home as much as possible when possible, and everything will now be slow motion here for the next few weeks. France is more or less the same on many points, Italy has closed its borders. Hospitals are full.
Kaiser you said that children and teens+ are at a lesser risk but the problem isn’t that: the problem is that they do, too, contract the virus, but show no symptoms and pass it on. They are not at risk, they carry the risk, and that’s the issue. We are now forbidden to go out as soon as we show the littlest symptom and we are asked not to mix generations (ie not asking grandparents to babysit while we work, hence the giganormous measures taken here for parents not to go to work either for the next 7 weeks).
Take care over there.
Thanks, Kika! You stay safe, as well.
Disney World and US Orlando are also closing. Disney is paying their employees during the shutdown. Not sure about US, but this should be updated with facts.