Newton, Gregg. A composite image of Main Street at Disney’s Magic World.. 2020. “Before-and-after photos show how Disney World went from teeming to deserted in one day after closing for the coronavirus,” by James Pasley. Buisnessinsider, 18 Mar. 2020, http://www.businessinsider.com/before-after-photos-orlando-disney-world-coronavirus-2020-3.

Photos like the one above depict just how haunting and severe the recent outbreak of COVID-19 is on the United States as business comes to a halt and streets are left bare. Prior to Disney World closing its doors on March 16 (without plans to reopen until March 31), hundreds of people went to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, to watch fireworks before the park closed. However, according to the Orlando Sentinel, analysts are warning that Walt Disney World theme parks could be closed well into mid-April.

With losses of $25 million during the 18-day closure period over in Disneyland Resort alone, an extended closure could cost the overall company over $1.4 billion dollars in revenue over the next two financial quarters.

Disney’s chairman Bob Iger took to Twitter to reassure employees and visitors:

“We’ve been through a lot over the years. We’ve always bounced back. Be strong. Stay healthy.”

Disney World has only closed on three prior occasions: 1999, 2004, and 2016, all due to hurricanes. Retail stores nation-wide are also closed. Once parks were closed on the morning of March 16th, Disney’s hotels remain open until 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 20. so that guests are able to find another accommodation.

The company closed Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland in succession on January 25 and 26 to contain the spread of COVID-19, as the danger of the virus and the disease it causes quickly became clear, and both have remained closed since. However, Shanghai’s Disneytown, the outdoor mall attached to the park, began welcoming guests this week — 45 days into the closures — in what could be an optimistic sign. As “the first step of a phased reopening,” as reported by CNN, the mall is allowing guests to visit specific locations after undergoing temperature screenings, requiring them to wear masks throughout and present health records when entering a dining area.

Newton, Gregg. The nearly empty parking lot of Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park after it closed on March 16. 2020. “Before-and-after photos show how Disney World went from teeming to deserted in one day after closing for the coronavirus,” by James Pasley. Buisnessinsider, 18 Mar. 2020, http://www.businessinsider.com/before-after-photos-orlando-disney-world-coronavirus-2020-3.

My heart goes out to the families that were affected by the closures, especially for the children. What is suppose to be a magical experience has turned into a bit of a nightmare across the globe, not only for park goers, but for everybody. As mentioned in my last post, Disney+ is currently providing me and my families some much needed Disney joy during this difficult time. Keep smiling, and look forward to the parks reopening their gates soon 🙂