In what has been a historic, unprecedented moment, Disney World has started the first day of its temporary closure due to the COVID-19 outbreak, otherwise known as Coronavirus.
Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG
Orlando News 6 WKMG flew their Sky 6 helicopter over Magic Kingdom this morning, revealing a whole new version of Disney World as we’ve rarely seen before.
Disney World has experienced some unexpected closures over the years, which were mostly due to inclement weather, but this time the decision to close all the Disney parks looks and feels very different. Normally, Magic Kingdom’s “hub” would be bustling with spring breakers right about now, but instead, the park appears almost dormant.
The cranes are up at the castle — which they have been painting. You can see the latest progress here!
Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG
And guests just arriving at Magic Kingdom’s gates primarily by bus, ferryboat, and monorail, would normally be streaming into Main Street, U.S.A., but such will not be the case today — or for the next two weeks.
Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG
Zooming in closer, you can see the American flag is still proudly waving on Main Street, U.S.A. today; a symbol of hope many Americans will be happy to know is still being raised and lowered even in the absence of guests.
Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG
And while there are just a few vehicles and Cast Members moving about, the vast majority of Magic Kingdom is a ghost town.
Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor and Casey’s Corner’s umbrellas are up and everything appears to be business as usual, except for one important detail missing — the people.
Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG
In Adventureland, from pirates, to singing parrots, not a creature appears to be stirring.
Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG
Liberty Square and Frontierland are also deserted, while the Liberty Square Riverboat appears to be docked for the interim.
Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG
Fantasyland’s Dumbo the Flying Elephant appears frozen in time with all pachyderm flights grounded for now.
Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG
And Tomorrowland Speedway’s cars are all parked in neat little rows for the time being, ready to roll once guests return.
Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG
Last time we visited Magic Kingdom, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover was experiencing operational delays, so we’re hoping to see the attraction reopen with the rest of Disney World — fingers crossed!
Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG
We’ll continue to report more Disney World news and information to you as it becomes available.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding how Coronavirus is impacting or could impact your future vacation plans, see our FAQ post here, and please feel free to reach out to us! We’ll do our very best to answer every comment you send us!
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Do we know yet if work will continue though the shutdown? Tron coaster is keeping the railroad from reopening…Spaceship Earth remodel…Castle face lift… Maybe they’ll be able to get these things done a little faster?
Rare photos since Disney World and Disneyland are normally no fly zones.
Contrary to popular belief, the “no fly zones” over Disney aren’t exactly like the “no fly zones” over the White House. All you have to do is request clearance from ATC to overfly. No doubt that is what happened here. Overflight isn’t automatically granted, but in the case of Disney, often is.
No, construction has been halted on ongoing projects in the parks other than the castle by the look of the photo. I could be wrong but I wouldn’t be totally surprised to hear that SSE refurb has been moved back.
Yes, yes, YES, please delay or even better cancel the spaceship earth remodel. We, you customers like it just the way it is Disney. I am going in July this year (I hope) so it would be great to get to ride it before it’s all changed.
The SSE rehab still needs to happen at some point in some form, the ride needs some upgrades. And the second half is just horrible show. But I too would not be surprised to see it pushed back or re-evaluated in scope, but the rotten second half they need to do something with already. There is no excuse for what they did and the way they left it, going on nearly 15 years now since the last mess of a refurb.