Theme parks will close for the rest of the month
Disneyland, Universal Studios take action because of the coronavirus
At first, Thursday seemed like it was shaping up to be a typical — and typically busy — day at the “Happiest Place on Earth.”
Just before 10 a.m., the wait times for Disneyland’s popular attractions at its Anaheim theme park were significant — 55 minutes for the Matterhorn Bobsleds and 45 minutes for Space Mountain, according to the park’s mobile app.
Guests were posting happy pictures of their visits, although some acknowledged there was more than the threat of weather that could rain on their parade.
“The most magical place on Earth!” one Instagram user wrote. “Except for when it’s pouring rain and everyone has coronavirus … maybe not then.”
Then, Thursday afternoon, the news came: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and Gov. Gavin Newsom and health officials’ recommendation that gatherings of 250 or more people be canceled across the state, the park that so rarely closes would temporarily shut down.
Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will close Saturday morning through the end of the month, company officials said. The company said it would refund hotel bookings during the closure.
“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, beginning the morning of March 14 through the end of the month,” Walt Disney Co. said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
“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.”
About two hours after Disneyland’s announcement, Universal Studios Hollywood announced that it would close Saturday and reopen March 28. (Universal CityWalk will remain open.)
Newsom — who during a news conference earlier in the day had said the state’s guidelines excluded large parks like Disneyland and places such as casinos, card rooms and movie theaters because of “the complexity of their unique circumstances” — applauded Disneyland’s announcement.
“Late last night, California put out a new policy on mass gatherings and engaged in deep conversations with Disney and other companies about how to meet it,” he said. “Using that policy, Disney made the right call in the interest of public health and agreed to shut down their California parks.”
Disneyland was not the only Southern California theme park open for business Thursday morning, even after the guidance from the governor, which does not carry the force of law.
Six Flags Magic Mountain opened as scheduled, with officials emphasizing the measures they were taking to sanitize the park.
Mike Spanos, president and chief executive of Six Flags Entertainment Corp., previously wrote a public note emphasizing “the top priority at Six Flags is the safety and the well-being of our guests and team members.”
He said Six Flags has “significantly enhanced” its sanitation efforts and is asking employees who are sick to stay home.
Legoland California also was open for business, though officials released a statement Thursday evening that it was postponing its grand opening of the Lego Movie World.
SeaWorld San Diego also remained open.
Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier will remain open, weather permitting. Park management said in a statement that they’ve amplified their maintenance schedule, including pressure-washing tables, handrails and counters.
A representative of Knott’s Berry Farm said Thursday morning that the Buena Park attraction “is aware of the new guidance issued by the state of California last night regarding large events based on the COVID-19 outbreak. Knott’s Berry Farm is open today as we understand and evaluate what this means for our park, our guests and our associates.”