With stay-at-home orders now issued for both Osceola and Orange Counties (set to go into effect at 11:00 PM tonight, March 26) it seems local governments are stepping in to clarify given Disney’s failure to address the impacts of new mandates in a timely manner.
When the announcement was initially made, Orange County believed that it would be implied that all theme parks, as non-essential businesses, would be closed through the specified time frame.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Orange County government has confirmed that Walt Disney World Resort is, in fact, included in the order.
All theme parks, amusement rides, and water parks are considered non-essential businesses that must temporarily close for the next two weeks. The two-week period would put the closure past the originally-stated April 1 reopening date for Walt Disney World. Expected reopening at this point would be April 10 at the earliest (if not at 11:00 PM on April 9.) An internal email sent out to Florida-based Cast Members Tuesday night instructed them to follow the new mandate regulations.
Disney has yet to issue extended closure dates. It did not respond to the Sentinel when prompted for comment.
The Reedy Creek Improvement District, which acts as Walt Disney World’s main governmental and infrastructure office, remains open, as it is essential.
I thought that Reedy Creek was its own government. Didn’t we learn that during The Imagineers. My guess for opening is closer to Memorial Day or the week before.