Among several frequently asked questions we’ve been receiving, many of our concerned readers have been asking us whether or not we think Disney World and Disneyland will re-open in April.
Magic Kingdom
As of March 19th, we honestly don’t know. But we’ve been following the impact of COVID-19 on the Disney parks since the outbreak first began back in January, and we have some insight on what news we should all be preparing ourselves to hear.
To put it very bluntly, not even Disney knows if Disney World will re-open in April. Just like the rest of the world, they’re assessing the pandemic day-by-day and taking extreme precautionary measures one step at a time. Disney will not put guests’ or Cast Members’ safety at risk, so whether or not the parks will re-open on April 1st has more to do with what WILL happen than what HAS happened.
Main Street USA
Why Everything is Closing Down
As a country, we’ve witnessed wide-scale, sweeping closures and cancellations of schools and businesses affecting millions. We’ve seen major sporting events discontinued including the NBA, NHL, MLB, PGA, and NCAA series. Flying anywhere has become its own unique challenge as Coronavirus screening has increased and travel bans are becoming a more frequent occurrence. And now, the CDC is advising groups of over 50 people should postpone or call off their assemblies for the next 8 weeks.
If you’ve been following the news and have seen the reported numbers, you might think this is an overreaction. After all, as of today, there are just over 3,700 reported cases of Coronavirus in the United States resulting in at least 71 deaths according to CBS News. In a nation of over 331 million people, this number may seem small, but here in the U.S., we’re only in the initial stages of the outbreak.
Things are shutting down right now NOT because of how many people might be already infected with COVID-19, but in an effort to “flatten the curve.”
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
You can read more about the Disney World closure here.
Flattening the Curve
From government officials to leaders of every organization and industry, decisions are being made to shut down as many public gatherings as possible in an attempt to help “flatten the curve.” What we’re actively seeing overseas right now in Italy and other parts of the world is what we are racing to prevent from happening here in the States.
COVID-19 has exploded and overwhelmed the hospitals forcing healthcare workers to make life-or-death decisions regarding patients due to limited resources. They just don’t have the means or space to take care of everyone who could become infected if the pandemic continues.
By “flattening the curve” we can help keep our hospitals from getting overcrowded and slow the infection down. Instead of everyone getting sick at once, by “social-distancing” ourselves (not going into crowded places and staying 6 feet away from each other) we can have a greater impact on the rate at which this highly-contagious disease is transmitted.
Take a look at the graph below. We are still in the initial outbreak phase and we’ve already begun to see our number of cases dramatically rise over the course of just a few weeks. If the infection continues to accelerate, we’ll see our healthcare system buckle under the overwhelming amount of pressure.
Graph of What Flattening the Curve Means
It’s Going to Get Worse Before It Gets Better
Given the current trajectory and the limited resources that are available to test for COVID-19, we will likely see these numbers continue to rise in the short term. Disney World and Disneyland are not likely to re-open until we see these numbers decrease.
Splash Mountain
What Can WE Do To Ensure The Parks Re-Open As Soon As Possible?
If you’re eager to get back into the parks (so are we!), then now is the time to follow the directives laid out by the CDC. Stay home. Keep 6 feet away from people you don’t live with. Wash your hands. Don’t attend large gatherings.
Don’t think about not GETTING the virus — think about not SPREADING the virus. The more those numbers of infected Americans drop, the more likely it is that the parks will re-open soon.
What You Should Do About Your Upcoming Disney Trip
If you have a Disney vacation scheduled in April or May, we suggest that you keep the trip on the books for now. Should the parks extend their closure, accommodations will be made to allow for fee-free refunds and rescheduling as necessary (just like we’ve just seen for guests affected by March’s temporary closure dates).
It is likely airlines will also allow you to change or cancel your flights without incurring a penalty fee if or when the time comes to do so.
Flower and Garden Passport
Our advice is to not make too many rash decisions — after all, the phone lines are still busy with people canceling their March trips. So wait and see. You’ll have plenty of time to cancel once we see what happens in the next two weeks.
See what Disney World is currently refunding here.
Final Payments
If you’re worried about making a final payment on a vacation package for later in the year, go ahead and make it. Disney has modified its terms to allow fee-free cancellation up to June 30th, 2020, to accommodate any park closure extensions. So right now, keeping your reservation is pretty safe from a fee-sparing perspective.
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
Disney has also made some temporary adjustments to its final payment policy. For guests who have pre-existing reservations through Walt Disney Travel Company, final payment for resort packages booked at Walt Disney World or Disneyland will now be due 7 days prior to Guest arrival. Payment can be made online or by phone. For new package reservations made with arrival in less than 30 days, payments will be due in full.
FastPasses and Advance Dining Reservations
If you’re wondering if you should be making your FastPasses and advance dining reservations for later in the year, go for it! These are cost-free and can always be canceled if necessary. Hesitating now could cost you a ride on one of your favorite attractions or a meal at one of your favorite restaurants when the parks re-open.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Looking for more information on FastPasses and dining reservations? Check out our Coronaviruas FAQ here.
Overall — we need to take a day-by-day approach. And as always, we’ll be here sharing the latest news and details to help you best plan your trip…and reschedule it if necessary.
We will continue to provide you with advice in the next coming weeks, but for all the latest news including official statements released by Disney.
For now, you can get all the info we currently know about Coronavirus and the Disney Parks here.
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this is SO informative. great job DFB team!!
Will the time extend to grab the annual pass holder magnets in epcot?
We had an upcoming booking for Disneyworld arrival on Ist April……8 people. We cannot get there because of the Coronavirus…..as we will spend 2 weeks in quarantine, which is pretty much our whole time in USA. We have asked for this trip to be postponed to August 2020…….the exact same booking and length of stay and now our agent THOMPSONS TRAVEL in South Africa say we have to pay an extra 3000 USD.
As this is beyond our control can you please verify that this is the case as according to a lot FAQ’s etc this is not correct. Please advise asap. Thank you. N.Ferguson
Scary times. Our vacation was booked for the last week in April. When Disney World closed we also booked a trip for May, June, and September. We’ll see how things go. In the grand scheme of things a trip to Disney is minor. I just hope the number of fatalities stays low.
I’m due to be going to WDW on 13th September for 12 nights. But even if the parks are open doesn’t mean I’ll be able to go. I live in the UK and no one knows what will happen as regards Trump letting us Brits into America. At the moment we’re banned for 30 days but I and many others here are expecting that to be extended.
Nice job on this article. Thanks.
My original trip was scheduled for March 20th. We changed it to April 6th and now who knows. The trip was for my daughter and I as a last hoorah before she gets married on April 25th. This virus is affecting things that most of us don’t even consider. Without a doubt this will change our country forever.
My trip was for 3/29-4/4 for my daughters 17th birthday. We called Disney and moved the March days to the end of the vacation so now it is 4/1-4-7. We didn’t lose half of our dining or fast passes. Now I’m so worried they close we are driving down 3/28 and won’t know if they’ve canceled until 3/31. I have so much anxiety about this. I don’t know if I should just move it or not. I don’t want to waste vacation days’! If I don’t move it out I won’t have any enough vacation days. Ugh! Help. Do you know anything at all?
Kelly, we will update as soon as we hear anything, but there’s no new information as of now.
I have a trip booked for the end of April. After the shutdown announcement, I booked a second trip at the end of May. If you do that soon you should be able to get fastpass+ selections at 60 days and restaurant availability was also relatively okay. If this works for your vacation schedule etc this will give you a free option. If shutdown is extended you can cancel April and look forward to May. If things improve considerably, you can cancel May; both for no penalty. If closures are extended even more, consider booking another similar trip in June at least 60+ days out.
Have a trip booked for May 3-9 with 11 folks a 4 generation family trip. That’s been planned for a year in a half , Ages 73-2 so worried about taking them. CDC recommends no large groups till mid May do you think that will effect the park opening ?
Really good, informative post. Thank you for disseminating this very important information. Have always loved your blog and videos and now even more!
I always have 2 reservations scheduled in May to June. Usually 10 to 15 days or so of Quick Service Plan for 2 (me and kid) and then 7 to 10 days Regular Dining Plan for 3 (me, kid, hubby). This year the first reservation started on the 18th of May. Today would have been my Fast Pass day. I have my annual pass purchased but would have had to purchase my son’s AP and Hubby’s ticket. I’m not feeling like the parks will be open mid May and if so it might be a rough start to get things going again. Plus if I made all of our plans and we had to cancel I think that would be more upsetting. So I canceled the first half of the trip and keeping the 2nd half. That gives me 10 days to see how the virus plays out. I’ll just put another 10 days on the trip June or just reschedule it all for the fall.
Great work as always, DFB!!
We have a trip 2 week trip booked and we are due to fly from London on the 30th Apr. Cost us nearly £7000/$9000 ish… I’ve never been to any Disney Park, we managed to make some incredible reservations like the entire of May the 4th in Galaxys Edge… I’m gutted, at this point it looks like we won’t be going at all and I’ve cried every night this week. 🙁
Great info round-up guys, much appreciated! I’m also in the ‘looking ahead’ group as we’re due to visit from the UK May 2nd to 16th, which at this stage considering all this and the wider world news agenda looks fairly unlikely – but as with all things at the moment, who knows, so I’ll keep the bookings in place for now… I’ll just keep ‘wishing on a star’ and maybe Covid19 will have passed through by then.
I am hopeful that if Disney continues to be closed that they take care of their full time employees. Who are stuck not knowing if they will be able to keep a roof over their head or food on the table
I work in a hospital (RN) and am privy to constant updates. With the CDC recommending at least 8 weeks of no large groups, I would expect that Disney would adhere to this as well. That puts the date out until the end of May. This is when MLB and other sports are planning on starting up again so I would imagine most large crowd venues will stay closed until then, including Disney. Then again, if by some miracle the infection rates drop dramatically in the next few weeks with all the precautions in place, maybe things will get back to normal sooner. Good luck everyone.
“Don’t think about not GETTING the virus — think about not SPREADING the virus.” perfect way to put it. Thank you!
we are planning on come may 14 throw 21 will the park been open may thing with this virus
March 19 2020
We most to come to Disney world may 14 throw 21 will it been open by then will all the parks been open
Kayla, there’s no way to know until Disney says something.
March 19 2020 @4:03
March 19
Will you let me know if y’all fine out
March 20 2020
Can you let me know if you heard anything about it open
sorry to bother you can you let me know when y’all fine out something and .thx you
Were scheduled to be there 4/2-4/12. I’m not canceling it unless they announce they will be closed. I went ahead and picked a 10 day time n june and made dining reservations that I wanted in case I do move it. If I dont I’ll cancel them at no charge. Hoping for the best! Stay well guys!! This wont last forever and think about how magical itll be when were back there. I’ll def cry like a baby when I hug the mouse again!!!
Our trip is planned in September because we enjoy the slow season and low crowds. Please don’t move your vacations to September, try August or October. Thank you. 🤪😂
Can you let me know when y’all fine something out about Disney World open .and I just worry if it is bad down here to
have a trip planned April 3-10… how long should we wait before w cancel and try to reschedule?
Hopefully, Governor DeSantis will be reasonable and forbid the opening. To let it open would be put countless people’s lives in danger. Pandora’s box is opened. Why turn it upside down and shake it on the rest of the state???
Those of us who live in the UK and have booked with Walt Disney Travel Company UK still have to make our final payments 8 weeks before we’re due to arrive. This is so unfair as for us it also depends on when we’re allowed into America. It’s not simply a case of packing and going.
I spent some time yesterday postponing our April trip to October….in the course of making the changes I spoke with three different Disney personnel …..my call was answered very quickly and each one of them was more than pleasant and helpful……I also dealt with a Delta Airlines agent…..again, the call wait time was minimal and she was lovely to deal with …..many thanks to these folks who must be frayed beyond belief at this difficult time
FYI, The governor of Florida has ordered all restaurants closed except for take-out and delivery until at least May 5. So if Disney opens before then, no sit down dining will be permitted, including at counter service restaurants. All you would be able to do is buy food and take it elsewhere
Can you let me know when y’all fine something out about Disney World open . And just worry if it bad down there
What’s truly unfair are all the people on beaches, people gathering in groups. I think the families losing loved ones could give us all a better understanding of what’s unfair. Stay home and let’s get through this, please!
when is it reopening I want to go so badly
I had a trip scheduled for the end of May, but canceled the flight and we booked a new trip until the end of august!! I am so annoyed because 1 we had Disney after dark, we were staying at one of my favorite resorts and we got a fast pass for Minnie and Mickeys runaway railway. On the plus side if we go in august I will be there for my birthday. I have lots of anxiety!! Help
can you let me know when y’all fine something out about Disney World open and just worry if it bad down there.and how is it there just worry if it will be open In may
Thx you
Kayla, we’re updating every time we get info!
thx you keep me updated if you can what go on
Thx you
Can you keep me updated if you can what going on there and I’ll check back in couple week see how it going
Thank you
Can you keep me updated if you can what going on there and I’ll check back in couple weeks see how it going and how many have this virus there .and let me know when y’all fine something out . And how long will y’all been close
Thank you
can you keep me updated if you can what going on there and I’ll check back in couple weeks see how it going and how many have the virus there. And let me know when y’all find something out . And how long will y’all been closed . And I saw on the Disney app told me y’all will been open on April 19. do you know anything about that thx you
Kayla, we only know what Disney has released for information. We’ll keep updating as soon as more info comes out.
I’ll check back in couple weeks
Thx you
I’ll check back in couple weeks.have it got worse there and have any one want to the difference park before y’all close and we won’t to know if y’all will skill gone to been open and can you let me know . And is all of the park close to till far notes
Thx you
I’ll check back in couple weeks.have it got worse there and have anyone want to the different park before y’all closed all of the park and we won’t to know if y’all will skill gone to been open and can you let me know .every time when y’all fine something out and is all of the park close to till far notes
Thx you
I’ll check back in couple weeks.have it got worse there and have anyone want to different park before y’all closed all of the park and we won’t to know if y’all skill gone to been open and can you let me know every time when y’all fine something out and is all of the the park close to till far notes. Can you let me know every others day can you do I won’t to know what going on and when y’all been open the park.thx you
did y’all know if y’all will been open in may are you do know when y’all will been open again and is all of the Disney park close and do you know how long thay will been close and I just checked in and .and do you how long y’all will been close and any updates it . And or are y’all will skill been. Close in may and do y’all know when y’all will reopen the park and when you know something and any updates can you please keep me updated and let me know what going on and please let me know
Thx you
Been save
Kayla, Disney still hasn’t announced a reopening date. Until they do that, DFB won’t know when they’ll reopen.