Theme parks across the country are temporarily closing in an abundance of caution to protect their guests and employees due to the Coronavirus epidemic. We have gathered information for Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resorts, and Universal Resort in order to help you better serve your clients and make arrangements for refunds and/or future travels.
Update on Walt Disney World Resort Operations
Theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort will be temporarily closed beginning March 16, through the end of the month.
The online statement states that “In an abundance of caution, and in the best interest of our Guests and Cast Members, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, beginning March 16, through the end of the month.”
However, Disney Resort hotels and Disney Springs will remain open until further notice.
If you have clients heading to Walt Disney World Resorts, you can get them refunds on unexpired, multi-day theme park tickets with unused days. In addition, date-specific theme park tickets with a valid use period during the period March 12, 2020 through March 31, 2020 will automatically be extended to use any date through Dec.15, 2020. If your clients are unable to visit by Dec. 15, 2020 you may apply the value of a wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a ticket for a future date.
Florida Resident Discover Disney Tickets may be used through July 31, 2020.
Guests who have purchased tickets for Disney After Hours, Disney Villains After Hours and Disney Early Morning Magic from March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020 will be automatically refunded.
For annual pass holders, Walt Disney World annual passes will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed, March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020.
For guests who have not checked in for stays between March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020, they may modify or cancel their Disney Resort room reservation or Walt Disney Travel Company package up to their original check-in date. If no action is taken, Disney will automatically process a refund to the original form of payment within seven days of the original check-in date.
What if I want to cancel a Disney Resort hotel reservation after the parks reopen? If travelers still want to cancel a Disney Resort hotel reservation after the parks reopen, Disney will waive all Disney imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in through June 30, 2020.
Any pre-paid dining reservations or experience reservation like Droid Depot during the time when the parks are closed will be refunded if scheduled between March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020.
For more information, visit Disneyworld.disenty.go.com.
Disneyland Resort Update
While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Disneyland Resort, after carefully reviewing the guidelines of the Governor of California’s executive order and in the best interest of their guests and employees, Disneyland is proceeding with the closure of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, beginning the morning of March 14 through the end of the month.
The Hotels of Disneyland Resort will remain open until Monday, March 16 to give guests the ability to make necessary travel arrangements. However, Downtown Disney will remain open. We will monitor the ongoing situation and follow the advice and guidance of federal and state officials and health agencies.
Disneyland Resort will work with guests who wish to change or cancel their visits, and will provide refunds to those who have hotel bookings during this closure period. The online statement stats, “We anticipate heavy call volume over the next several days and appreciate guests’ patience as we work hard to respond to all inquiries.”
For more information, visit disneyland.disney.go.com/travel-information.
Universal Orlando Resort Closure Information
Universal is also closing its parks; the closure is effective Monday, March 16th. The online statement says, “We anticipate remaining closed through the end of March, but will continue to evaluate the situation.”
Universal Orlando’s hotels and Universal CityWalk will remain open.
“We have created flexible programs for those guests who have booked travel packages or tickets with us,” says the online statement. For more information, call 877-801-9720.
Universal notes that they are working hard to provide a higher level of service and update their website to help serve all guests.
All parks ask that everyone keep in mind that they are experiencing a higher level of calls than normal, please be patient when calling to make arrangement for your clients.
