Coronavirus affecting Disney Properties

At the beginning of this week, it was confirmed that the first two cases of Coronavirus tested positive in Florida. In response, Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order to declare a public health emergency and engage statewide response for the control of Coronavirus (COVID-19)




According to the Florida Department of Health, one of the affected is an adult resident of Hillsborough County. The other is an adult resident of Manatee County. Both individuals are currently isolated and being properly cared for.

DeSantis tweeted that he will be in Tampa and Miami with Surgeon General Rivkees and other officials on Monday to discuss the continued statewide response on the Coronavirus.

No official statements have been made by the Walt Disney World Resort regarding any potential closures or increased health measures.

Guests planning to visit the Disneyland Resort should be advised that California’s Orange County, home to the resort, has declared a local health emergency over the looming threat of coronavirus, according to the Los Angeles Times affiliate Daily Pilot.

The move comes as federal and state agencies have proposed to use a state-owned development center in Costa Mesa as a quarantine site. The county has supported the city’s efforts to prevent that from happening.

According to Orange County’s Health Care Agency, the county has had only one reported case of coronavirus; a man in his mid-50’s who has since recovered. The Health Care Agency’s website states: “There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission occurring here.” California had 15 confirmed cases as of last Tuesday (February 25, 2020).

Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer has addressed concerns regarding the recent Coronavirus Outbreak (COVID-19) in a recent Disney Parks Blogs post.

A Message about Coronavirus/COVID-19 from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel

As you may know from the news, COVID-19, commonly known as novel coronavirus 2019, has become a more widespread concern. As part of our commitment to the health and well-being of our cast, guests and the larger community, we are carefully monitoring the evolving coronavirus situation and are in regular contact with health agencies for information and guidance. Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, are welcoming guests as usual and we continue to implement preventive measures in line with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies.

Walt Disney World, Disneyland and all of our parks and resorts around the world have high standards of cleanliness, which assists with illness prevention, and we have health and safety protocols in place, such as:

- Training for cast members, with ongoing reinforcement on a regular basis
- Defined cycles for frequent cleaning and disinfection of targeted areas
- Easy access to handwashing facilities and hand sanitizers
- Quick response to spills, trash and other situations
- End of day sanitation procedures for restroom, kitchen, and other facilities
- Frequent cleaning and “wash down” of outdoor locations, including walkways and queues

Additionally, our onsite health teams and leaders are communicating with our cast members about illness prevention, including the guidance of the CDC. The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs, such as staying home when sick, washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, following proper respiratory cough etiquette, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

The CDC provides more detailed coronavirus information on its website and as always, your personal physician is a valuable resource for specific medical questions you may have. If you have any questions about visiting Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, please call 407-WDisney.

Please visit Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort to learn more about our health and safety measures for the coronavirus.

Thank you,

Dr. Pamela Hymel

Chief Medical Officer

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

Everyone around the world has been impacted by the Coronavirus in some way, whether it is just an increased consumption of the nightly news or more frequent hand washing. Disney Parks has been monitoring the progression of the COVID-19 outbreak carefully, including statements by the Chief Medical Officer and heightened sanitation and safety measures across all parks.

For those that have a little bit more future exposure with trips planned by haveing made reservations with Walt Disney Travel for upcoming trips to Walt Disney World and Disneyland, you will now not be subject to the $50 change fee when moving your reservation. It is mentioned in the announcement that this date rescheduling is for a “future date in 2020,” so this does not seem to apply to cancellations or rescheduling for a much later date.

This is unimaginable to be happening, I saw a video of the MK with no one in it, but the American Flag was still flying as a symbol we will get through this. I know this has only started, but I can't wait for it to be done with and seeing Mickey's smiling face again.

The hard part is trying not to think about the virus and continue to live, this is extremely hard to do because the news is nothing but the virus, TV, Papers, Internet, Facebook.
Everyone needs to be cautious and take this seriously but, it is time to do things at home like reading a book (remember when this was relaxing?). We need to relax and not over stress.
Today I actually checked WDW for fall availability, I will be booking even thou there are no offers for this far out.
But we want to go back and enjoy WDW again when this is over and I'm sure many of you want to also.