Disney resorts extend closures

If you were wondering how long the coronavirus outbreak will keep the Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts closed, you’ll have to keep wondering.

After closing the parks in mid-March with the promise to reopen by the end of the month, Walt Disney Co. announced Friday that both parks would remain closed until further notice.

Disney said it has been paying its employees since the parks closed and “in light of this ongoing and increasingly complex crisis, we have made the decision to extend paying hourly parks and resort cast members through April 18.”

The announcement is not surprising, considering that Gov. Gavin Newsom has recommended that all gatherings over 250 people be canceled. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday that residents should be prepared to stay at home until May. In Anaheim, home of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park, the city posted a message on its website urging residents to “stay at home as much as possible.”

Universal Studios Hollywood and the Universal Orlando Resort also closed March 14 but announced this week that they would remain closed until April 19 because of the coronavirus outbreak. Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia and Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park also remained closed.

For people who have annual passes to Disneyland, the passes will be extended based on how long the parks will be closed. Annual pass holders who are making monthly payments must continue to make payments as usual.

To shore up the hard-hit media giant, Walt Disney Co. said last week that it had raised nearly $6 billion in a debt offering. Disney, in its regulatory filings, said it planned to use proceeds from the sale for “general corporate purposes,” including restructuring debt, making acquisitions, buying back shares or investing in business units.