SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Legoland in Florida close due to ‘evolving COVID-19 situation’
More Central Florida theme parks have decided to close their doors due to the novel coronavirus. Legoland Florida and SeaWorld theme parks are closing.
SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment announced Friday that it will temporarily close all of its theme parks, citing “continued commitment to the safety of our guests and Ambassadors.”
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are temporarily closing all our theme parks, effective March 16, through the end of the month,” SeaWorld officials wrote. The parks being shut down are Aquatica; Discovery Cove; SeaWorld Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio; Busch Gardens in Virginia and Florida; Adventure Island; and Water Country U.S.A.
During this time essential SeaWorld workers, including animal care experts, will continue to look after the park’s animals. SeaWorld’s animal rescue and rehabilitation operations will also continue working.
SeaWorld will continue to pay full-time workers during the closures. The company did not immediately say if it will be paying its part-time employees.
For guests who have bought tickets, experiences or vacation packages at SeaWorld’s fleet of theme parks, the park says “you will be refunded for any tickets or in-park experiences that you were not able to use during the time that the park was temporarily closed.”
Guests can also rebook trips through 2021 without fees. If tickets were acquired through a third-party reseller, the park says to contact the reseller directly.
Guests cannot get refunds on annual passes, season passes and membership products.
Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven also said Friday that it will temporarily close its theme park and water park from March 16 through the end of the month.
“The health and safety of our staff remains our top priority,” the park said.
The park’s hotel will remain open and employees will continue to work on site as scheduled.
The park says it has flexible options in place for guests who have booked travel packages or tickets. Guests can email llf.experience@legoland.com for more information.
The decisions come just a day after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis urged the cancellation of large events statewide on Thursday.
Both Disney World and Universal Studios elected to close for the rest of March starting at the end of business on Sunday.
As of Friday morning in Miami-Dade County, the Miami Seaquarium, Jungle Island and Miami Children’s Museum have closed, while Zoo Miami and Lion Country Safari remain open.
As of Friday afternoon, Florida has the sixth most cases in the country at 46 and two coronavirus-related deaths, according to The New York Times.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 2:49 PM.
