food IS a theme park
It’s hard to find a bright side to Disney World being temporarily closed.
Magic Kingdom
But shockingly, it’s actually not totally impossible. Now that everyone and everything is slowing down around us, we thought we’d take a moment to figure out some of the good stuff that might actually come from this whole experience when Disney World reopens!
Now that Disneyland and Walt Disney World will be “closed until further notice,” we are getting a lot of questions about when we think Disney will reopen and whether readers should cancel their trips.
Sleeping Beauty Castle
We know you are in a tough spot if you have a trip planned in the next couple of months…because how are you supposed to know when “further notice” will be? Disney is throwing a lot of eggs into that June 1st basket right now (you currently can’t make ANY bookings before June 1st, and their new, private offers for guests affected by the closures include bookings for only June 1st and later), but can we bank on it?!
Well, let’s put on our thinking caps and start a little logic session. While we don’t know exactly when the Disney Parks will reopen, we can consider a multitude of things that will have to happen BEFORE Disney will consider letting anyone back through those gates.
Even though we were pretty bummed when Disney World and Disneyland recently extended their temporary closures, we were hoping maybe some good news might come out of it for Annual Passholders.
Main Street, U.S.A.
You see, recently Universal Studios also announced they were postponing their reopening, but they told their Annual Passholders monthly payments were being deferred. We were wondering if something similar would happen for Disney’s Annual Passholders, too!
While Disney was hoping to have guests back in its U.S. theme parks by April 1st, a LOT has happened since that original closure announcement was made.
Disneyland Main Entrance
And now that Disney’s officially extended its closure for Disney World and Disneyland, what does this mean if you already had a trip planned?
Disney World has fallen into a deep slumber since closing its theme parks on March 16th.
Magic Kingdom
And while Disney officials were tentatively planning on re-opening Walt Disney World Resort April 1st, the temporary closure has just been extended.
Like the rest of the Walt Disney World hotels, Shades of Green, a Disney World resort for military members and families has closed its doors temporarily.
©Shades of Green Resort
Owned by the United States Department of Defense, the resort is located near Magic Kingdom.
As many Central Florida residents and those who have been following along with our coverage already know, both Osceola and Orange County have recently issued a stay at home order that will go into effect this evening at 11 PM.
Early Morning at Cinderella Castle
Due to its location between both counties, the entirety of the Walt Disney World Resort falls under these laws, which only permit travel for essential businesses, supply shopping, and medical care for the next two weeks.
Only a few things are going to get us through these next few weeks, and one of them happens to be delicious beverages!
©Joffrey’s
We’re talking bunker cold brew coffee drinks and tasty iced teas mostly — with the occasional staycation-version of a margarita from La Cava mixed in for, you know, balance!
While Disney’s hotels closed down last Friday, the Swan and Dolphin Resort was still partially open.
Swan and Dolphin Resort
As part of the Walt Disney Collection of resorts, Walt Disney Dolphin Resort closed its doors on March 17th, while guests were able to transfer over to its sister hotel Disney’s Swan.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Marriott will be temporarily closing.
Disney World During Its Closure
Based in Orlando, Florida, Marriott Vacations CEO Stephen Weisz spoke on behalf of the company, stating, “Without a doubt, these shutdown decisions have been some of the most difficult and heartbreaking of my career.”
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