As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to evolve, the situation in Japan has worsened, and the Oriental Land Company has given us even more sad news today. For the safety of Guests and Cast Members, the Tokyo Disney Resort closed on February 29th. Originally, the park was set to re-open on March 15th, just a few days from now. But it seems this will not come to pass, as it was announced today that the closure will extend through early April 2020. A specific date is yet to be announced. Additionally, the opening of the vast New Fantasyland expansion is also postponed to an unspecified date in mid-May 2020.
This closure applies to both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. The Ikspiari shopping mall adjacent to Tokyo Disney Resort will also be closed during this time.
Guests with unused tickets dated or expiring between February 29th-May 31st, 2020 can have their ticket changed to an open-dated ticket expiring March 31st, 2021. Guests with Annual Passports will have the expiration date extended. Details will be released later.
Events scheduled to end during the closure, including Fantasmic!, Very Very Minnie, and Pixar Playtime will not be extended. Ariel’s Greeting Grotto, Lilo’s Luau and Fun, and other offerings set to close March 31st also will not be extended. However, souvenir food items and event merchandise will be sold for a short period after re-opening. Details will be announced later.
As with last time, Guests with dinner show, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, or Vacation Package reservations will be refunded in full. Guests with reservations through March 31st will be refunded automatically. Guests with Vacation Packages between April 1st and May 31st may cancel their Vacation Package reservations with no cancellation fee.
The Disney Resort Line is scheduled to operate as normal. Operations related to the Disney Hotels will continue to adjust as necessary.
While we’re very disappointed to see this development, it’s for the best. The safety of Guests and Cast Members is the highest priority, and it’s critical that the COVID-19 situation remain under control, especially with the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics looming. With this closure, there are no Disney parks currently operating in Asia.
Be sure to keep your eyes on a trusted global news source and check with your doctor and the US State Department before travel to Japan and China. If you choose to come, wash your hands as often as possible, use hand sanitizer, and consider wearing a mask and/or touching your face as little as possible.
We’ll keep our eyes on developments here as well as in Shanghai and Hong Kong regarding the COVID-19 situation’s effect on Disney Parks operations. Are you disappointed that Tokyo Disney Resort is closed? Will you be visiting in 2020? Let us know below or on Twitter!
Are you considering or planning a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort? Visit TDRPlans for every detail (and more) that you’ll need to make your trip the best it can be! Did I mention it’s 100% free? Oh, and stay tuned to WDWNT for up-to-date news on Tokyo Disney Resort, Walt Disney World, and Disney Parks worldwide!
These closures of Disney resorts in Japan, Hong Kong and mainland China are tragic. My visit to Tokyo DisneySea back in 2005 is a profound, wonderful memory and I would have been crushed if my visit to Japan had been disrupted like this and Disney had been put off limits. I understand people using caution but for people who are possibly going on a once-in-a-lifetime trip this could have lasting emotional impact and I feel genuinely sorry for them.
Booked a trip in July about a week ago, might be time to cash in the refund.
Have a trip planned for May 2020. At this point, I don’t have to cancel until a few days before to get refunds, so just waiting it out.