
UPDATE 3/12/20, 8pm EDT: Both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort announced they would be closing for the remainder of the month of March after close of business on Sunday, March 15th.
UPDATE 3/12/20, 2pm EDT: We stumbled across this information relating to the virus on Universal Orlando’s website.
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This is something we’ve really, really, really been giving a lot of thought to over the past few days. Schools are closing, conferences are being canceled, big, big, huge revenue-generating events are shutting down, and nobody really knows what the immediate future holds as it relates to this global Coronavirus outbreak.
There’s been hardly a peep from any of the area theme parks with the exception of news releases of heightened use of hand sanitizer for both workers and guests.
“We have very stringent sanitation procedures in place at Walt Disney World Resort. We are in close contact with health agencies for information and guidance, and at this time, we are continuing to communicate to our Cast the importance of preventative measures such as frequent handwashing and rigorous cleaning processes.” – A Disney spokesperson, via People.com
But could you even imagine the impact Central Florida would have if any of the theme parks were to shut down – if even for a day? The revenue lost, the workers who won’t likely get paid, the vacationers who’ve already planned their getaway and all of the hassle of having to re-book their flights and hotel rooms. Aye! Of course we should all remain at the utmost caution in the middle of this issue, but so much would be involved during a park shutdown.
Just last week we threw up a poll on our Twitter feed asking our Followers if the think this could even be a possibility. Here’s what those who answered had to say:
If this #CoronaOutbreak continues, do you think the local theme parks like @WaltDisneyWorld, @UniversalORL, and @SeaWorld will close?
— Pulse of Central Florida (@PulseofCFL) March 4, 2020
What do you think? Have you heard any rumblings around any of the theme parks closing for any length of time?
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