Disneyland, Disney World extend closures indefinitely due to coronavirus

This is only the sixth unscheduled closure in Disneyland's history.

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Updated on March 27, 2020 04:48PM EDT

The happiest place on Earth will be keeping its doors closed indefinitely.

Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort have extended their closures due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Disney originally announced that the resorts, along with Disneyland Paris, would be closed until the end of March.

"While there is still much uncertainty with respect to the impacts of COVID-19, the safety and well-being of our guests and employees remains The Walt Disney Company’s top priority," a Disney spokesperson said in a March 27 statement. "As a result of this unprecedented pandemic and in line with direction provided by health experts and government officials, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort will remain closed until further notice."

Disney also confirmed it will continue paying resort employees, known as cast members, until April 18. (Cast members have continued to be paid since the start of the closure.)

The initial move to close the parks came after California Gov. Gavin Newsom recommended a statewide cancellation of all gatherings of 250 or more people. Disney has also closed all Disney retail stores in North America, as well as all of its owned and operated locations at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, Calif., and Disney Springs in Orlando, Fla. The Disney Cruise Line has also suspended all new departures through the end of March.

This is only the sixth time in Disneyland's history that the park has unexpectedly closed. Other instances included a national day of mourning after President John F. Kennedy's assassination, and closures in the wake of the 1994 Northridge earthquake and 9/11.

This article was originally published March 12, 2020, and has been updated with new information.

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