Disneyland + Disney World shut down during coronavirus pandemic

Earlier this week Motherly reported that while some parents are choosing to cancel family vacations to Disney’s U.S. parks others were still visiting the “happiest place on Earth”.

That changed Thursday afternoon when Disneyland in California announced it was closing after Governor Gavin Newsom stated mass gatherings should be postponed. By Thursday evening Disney announced its Orlando parks, along with Disneyland Paris and Disney Cruises are temporarily closed, too.

Disneyland and Walt Disney World are closing for the first time since September 11, 2001.

“In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort, beginning at the close of business on Sunday, March 15, through the end of the month,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement.

This is obviously super disappointing news for families who had vacations planned (and you should talk to your travel agent or any organization you booked tickets through if you have plans) but it is also important.

If we want to flatten the curve of coronavirus we have to make difficult choices.

We have to listen to the health experts who are trying to keep us safe. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to tell your kids they can’t go to Disney World. Or that NBA or NHL game they were looking forward to. Or even school. This is hard.

When it comes to coronavirus things are changing minute-by-minute. Many local governments are telling residents that gatherings of 250 people or more should be rescheduled or canceled. School districts are making decisions on whether to cancel or continue classes. Parents are working from home, sometimes without childcare. Grandparents have been separated from their grandchildren.

This is hard. It’s disappointing. But we are going to get through this, mama.

One day you will get to go on your vacation, or take your kids to see their grandparents, or drop them off at school. We can and should have so much hope for the future, but that means that the present is going to have to be different than we’d imagined (at least for a little while).

But if you’ve ever given birth or welcomed a baby into your family you know that plans can change so fast, and that you can roll with them. You’ve got this, mama.