As the pandemic continues to spread worldwide, many businesses and companies are being affected greatly. One major company taking a hit is Disney. It was declared March 12, 2020, that the Disney parks, as well as the cruise line, would all be closed in response to COVID-1 indefinitely as they continue to reassess the situation.  The closing of Disney shocked many especially because they have only been closed a small number of times before. 

Disneyland, found in Anaheim, California, is recognized by many and includes California Adventure Park, as well as Disneyland Park, which receives more than 52 million visitors every year. Founded in 1955, Disneyland has only been closed for emergencies a limited amount of times in its 65 years. The Los Angeles Magazine reported that it has only closed for President John F. Kennedy’s assasination in 1963, a protest on Tom Sawyer’s Island in 1970 and September 11, 2001. 

Disney has not only closed its door in California and on the ocean, but in their major Florida parks as well. Walt Disney World is found in Orlando, Florida and includes these major parks: Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and more, each visited by around 90 million people every year. Compared to Disneyland, DisneyWorld has only been open 49 years, but has closed its gates more times. According to The New York Times, it was closed seven times until now because of six different hurricanes – Floyd in 1999, Charley in 2004, Francis in 2004, Jeanne in 2004, Matthew in 2016 and Irma in 2017. Disney World also closed on September 11, 2001. 

Now, with the rapid spread of COVID-19, all Disney parks are closing their gates for the longest time they have ever been closed. They want to do their part in limiting crowds and stopping the spread of the virus. Many Disney goers and fans were sad to see it close as they canceled plans and headed home.

Disney’s first announcement claimed a reopening on April 1st, 2020, but as many areas throughout the United States are under lock down and the CDC is limiting the amount of people in groups, it is now unknown at this point when Disney will be able to reopen. They are reevaluating the situation while trying to learn when they will be able to open the gates to visitors and the public yet again. They are hoping the craziness of the virus will die down and be controlled, with hopes to be back up and running by May of 2020.