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Walt Disney World extends closure time of properties to fight the spread of coronavirus

By Sydney Cameron
Updated  March 27, 2020 11:37pm EDT
FOX 35 Orlando

Disney announces extension of park closures

The Walt Disney Company on Friday announced it will extend the closure time for its properties in California and Florida.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Disney has announced it is extending the dates of its closures to properties in Florida and California in the fight against the spread of coronavirus. 

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"While there is still much uncertainty with respect to the impacts of COVID-19, the safety and wellbeing of our guests and employees remains The Walt Disney Company's top priority," the company tweeted.

"As a result of this unprecedented pandemic and in line with directioon provided health experts and government officials, Disneyland  Resort and Walt Disney World Resort will remain closed until further notice," the company said.

The company says they have been paying its cast members since the closure and have decided to extend their pay through April 18. 

The closures include all Disney-owned and operated stores and hotels in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

MAP: This is where there are confirmed coronavirus cases in the US and around the world

Disney closed all theme parks at the end of the day on March 16.  The following day, Disney announced  that company-owned and operated stores at Disney Springs and Downtown Disney in Anaheim would be closing as well.

Walt Disney World to close stores and hotels

The decision came as coronavirus cases continue to rise in Florida.

Disney officials said all of the closures were made out of an abundance of caution.

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Financial experts believe the move will have a massive economic impact in Florida.

“Seventy-five million visitors came in last year and basically 75 billion dollars from tourism impacting the economy which supports a half-million jobs just in Central Florida. So, two weeks, not good,” said Fox News Financial Expert Gary Kaltbaum.

At this moment there is no exact date of when the parks will reopen. 

Universal Orlando Resort also extended its closure through April 19. 

Tune in to FOX 35 News for the latest on the coronavirus as it continues to spread across the United States, including Florida.

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