Disney World Closings Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Horizon West Happenings • March 17, 2020
Walt Disney World Resort Supports Central Florida Community
by Donating Excess Food to Second Harvest Food Bank During Temporary Closure
March 17, 2020
"Since making the important decision to temporarily close theme parks at Walt Disney World and adjust our offerings, we have continued to take time to focus on the well-being of our Cast Members, our Guests, our families and the local community we call home. To help other Central Floridians in need during this time, Walt Disney World Resort will donate excess food inventory like fresh salads, greens and expertly cooked hot items to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, as part of the ongoing Disney Harvest program. Launched in 1991, Disney Harvest collects excess and unserved food from locations throughout Walt Disney World, delivering it to feeding programs across Central Florida.
by Donating Excess Food to Second Harvest Food Bank During Temporary Closure
March 17, 2020
"Since making the important decision to temporarily close theme parks at Walt Disney World and adjust our offerings, we have continued to take time to focus on the well-being of our Cast Members, our Guests, our families and the local community we call home. To help other Central Floridians in need during this time, Walt Disney World Resort will donate excess food inventory like fresh salads, greens and expertly cooked hot items to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, as part of the ongoing Disney Harvest program. Launched in 1991, Disney Harvest collects excess and unserved food from locations throughout Walt Disney World, delivering it to feeding programs across Central Florida.
What you might not know…the Disney Harvest Program at Walt Disney World Resort collects and distributes more than 823,000 pounds of prepared, unserved food annually and supports Second Harvest’s work serving more than 40 Orlando-area nonprofits. In the last year alone, these donations provided one million meals to people in need.
“Second Harvest Food Bank is known for their vital work addressing critical food needs in Central Florida, and we know the important role we play in helping to bring meaningful solutions to our community in times of great need.” said Tajiana Ancora-Brown, Director of External Affairs at Walt Disney World Resort.
Walt Disney World’s longstanding support of Second Harvest Food Bank also includes monetary contributions and ongoing Disney VoluntEARS efforts, where Cast Members donate their time to collect, sort and distribute food donations. The organization is also the celebrated charity of the runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend, held each November, donating and distributing extra food from post-race snack boxes to those in need."
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DISNEY SPRINGS UPDATE
March 17, 2020
"In keeping with our focus on the wellbeing of our Guests and Cast Members during these rapidly-changing times, we will be closing all Disney owned and operated locations at Disney Springs beginning Tuesday, March 17 through the end of the month. Select other restaurants and retail locations at Disney Springs may remain open and Guests should call the location they wish to visit for operating hours.
We will continue to monitor the situation and maintain contact with the appropriate officials and health experts.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.
Sincerely,
Disney Destinations, LLC
"
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DISNEY VACATION CLUB MEMBER UPDATE
March 16, 2020
"As we continue to make timely decisions based on guidance of health agencies and our medical teams, and adjust our precautionary measures at Disney Vacation Club for the safety of our Members, Guests and Cast Members, I want to provide you with an important update.
In alignment with this guidance, Disney is temporarily closing its resort hotels at Walt Disney World Resort, including all Disney Vacation Club properties. The closure also includes Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. The closures become effective at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 20, and will extend through the end of the month. This will give Members and Guests the ability to make necessary travel arrangements or book alternative accommodations. At this time, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort will remain open.
We know that you have questions about your membership during these uncertain times. Please know that our teams at Disney Vacation Club are committed to assisting you and providing you with as much flexibility as possible with your future vacation plans. Disney Vacation Club Member Services will continue to assist you with reservation changes during their regular operating hours. As we anticipate high call volume in the days ahead, we encourage you to visit disneyvacationclub.com for general information and ask that you contact Member Services only if you need assistance with an existing reservation.
Regarding your reservations, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify a few important points in order to make the change process as smooth as possible. As we have shared, Disney Vacation Club has lifted the close-in reservation cancellation restrictions and will return any of your points back as vacation points or reservation points without placing them into holding. In the meantime, all points banking rules remain in place. While we understand the banking policy might create some frustration, please realize that this is in place to ensure that the membership as a whole avoids future inventory constraints.
Clearly COVID-19 is impacting us all in numerous ways – and I want to thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time. Our team at Disney Vacation Club is focused on serving you, our Member community, as we plan ahead for a return to normal operations.
With appreciation,
Terri Schultz
Senior Vice President
Disney Vacation Club, Guided Adventures & Expeditions and Golden Oak"
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WALT DISNEY WORLD PASSHOLDER UPDATE
March 13, 2020
"In an abundance of caution, and in the best interest of our Guests and Cast Members, including our valued Passholders, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, beginning March 16 through March 31, 2020. We wanted to share the following information with you:
All active Walt Disney World Annual Passes will be extended for the number of days the parks are closed. Passes with renewal windows ending during the closure will also receive an extension of time to renew. For Passholders participating in the Annual Pass Monthly Payment program, your monthly payments will continue as scheduled. Once your payments are completed, you will still have the extra days as provided above.
We appreciate your patience and consideration during this unprecedented time. Over the coming weeks, your Annual Pass details in MyDisneyExperience will be updated to reflect new pass usage information. Pass block-out and admission calendars will not be updated during the closure period. Please visit DisneyWorld.com for the most updated details.
Disney Destinations"
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