Disney World, Universal to close hotels, parks, restaurants to prevent coronavirus spread
The Happiest Place on Earth is completely shutting down to limit the spread of COVID-19.
All Disney-owned hotels at Walt Disney World Resort and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort will close at 5 p.m. Friday and will remain closed through the end of the month.
The company announced the decision early Monday, the same day its month-long closure of theme parks and water parks began.
Universal Orlando Resort also announced it was closing down Universal CityWalk at midnight Monday — its area of restaurants and entertainment spots — and all Universal-owned hotels will shut down starting Friday, March 20. They will remain closed through the end of the month.
Disney Springs will also be closing all company-owned stores Tuesday through the end of the month. The company says select restaurants and stores not owned by Disney might remain open and guests should call the location to verify operating hours.
Disney World Resort president Josh D’Amaro said in a statement all college, culinary and exchange programs were suspended and the company was working with all participants to get them home.
D’Amaro added that resorts would be donating excess salads, greens and other hot foods to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, which has an ongoing partnership with Walt Disney World.
On Saturday, Disney Cruise Line suspended all cruises for the rest of March. The cruise line has four ships, including one based in Miami — the Disney Magic.
Disney said it will be paying its employees, or “cast members,” throughout the closure.
Miami Herald staff writers Bianca Padró Ocasio and Devoun Cetoute contributed to this report.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 10:17 AM.
