Coronavirus forces unplanned closure of Disneyland for first time since 9/11

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will be closed starting March 14 due to coronavirus concerns. Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will be closed starting March 14 due to coronavirus concerns. Photo: Handout/Getty Images Photo: Handout/Getty Images Image 1 of / 107 Caption Close Coronavirus forces unplanned closure of Disneyland for first time since 9/11 1 / 107 Back to Gallery

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For only the sixth time in its history, Disneyland will be forced into an unexpected closure.

Due to concerns over coronavirus and per the guidelines of California Gov. Gavin Newsom's executive order, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will close on March 14. The closure will last through at least the end of the month.

It's the first time the Disney Resort has had an unscheduled closure since Sept. 11, 2001.

"While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Disneyland Resort, after carefully reviewing the guidelines of the Governor of California's executive order and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure," a statement from Disney Parks read.

According to the Orange County Register, Disneyland has an average daily attendance of about 50,000.

Newsom's executive order, issued on Thursday, directs Californians to restrict all events to under 250 individuals. The order doesn't specifically apply to theme parks because the "complexity of their unique circumstance requires additional conversation, different kind of engagement," according to Newsom. Universal Studios Hollywood announced late Thursday afternoon it will be closed from March 14-28.

Hotel guests at the three Disney-operated hotels, the Disneyland Hotel, the Grand Californian, and the Paradise Pier, can stay until March 16.

Disney workers will be paid during the closure, according to the company. Downtown Disney, an outdoor shopping and dining area adjacent to the parks, will remain open.

Disneyland has had five previous unscheduled closures. The first was just eight years after its opening when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. The second was in 1970 when anti-Vietnam protestors clashed with riot police inside the park. The third came during extreme cold weather in 1987. The fourth was after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. And the fifth and most recent was after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Disney World in Orlando is still open. Due to the coronavirus outbreaks in Asia, Tokyo Disney Resort closed on Feb. 29; Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland Park have been closed since late January.

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