What’s Going On When Disney is Closed?
Walt Disney World closed its magical gates on March 27th. Cast members were furloughed, college students sent home, the music stopped and the pictures of a barren, empty theme park are almost spooky. But, fans have gotten glimpses that not everything has stopped in the parks. Here are some things that have continued even during the closure:
Source: clickorlando.com/Behindclosedgates
Animals
The animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom did not go anywhere and still require care. Josh D’Amaro, new president of Walt Disney World, recently checked in on cast members and animals at Animal Kingdom.
Park closures do not prevent baby animals from being born at Animal Kingdom. Cast members celebrated both a brand new baby Porcupine named Shelly born on February 25th.
and a new baby zebra, Asha, born on March 21st.
And on May 1st, Grace, Animal’s Kingdom’s baby gorilla celebrated her first birthday.
Construction
Although major construction seems to have been put on pause, general park maintenance must continue. It was announced shortly before the closure that Cinderella’s castle would receive a make-over for the 70th anniversary of Cinderella and probably the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. The construction cranes are gone, but the castle looks new.
EPCOT was scheduled to undergo major renovation and construction prior to the closure. Flyover shots show not much happening from above.
Flower and Garden Festival is missing, but D’Amaro again comforts Disney fans that the signature topiaries are still at the park.
Like many of you, I spend most days at home, but every so often I come in to thank the small group of Cast maintaining the magic at WDW. On a visit to #EPCOT this week, I was struck by the beauty and inspiration of our Flower & Garden Festival topiaries which are still here. They are a testament to how amazing our horticulture team is. Our Disney parks are places with so much emotion, memories and enormous potential – potential the world needs to believe in right now. And potential our Cast and Imagineers have anchored their lives to. I’m reminded how EPCOT stands out in this message of hope and the world coming together. And while EPCOT and other parts of our Resort are always special, they aren’t truly alive without our Cast. I know we’ll be back to make magic one day soon. #DisneyCastLife #WaltDisneyWorld #MagicHasAName (joshdamaro/Instagram)
The American Flag
Some of the most touching images have come from cast members who are in charge of raising the American Flag every morning at the Magic Kingdom. Each day, even without guests, the Disney security team raises the flag and completes the daily ceremony.
With no opening date set at this time, guests patiently wait. Disney is set to present a reopening plan to the Orange County Recovery Task Force. Maybe soon MickeyBlog can report on preparations for reopening and guests returning to the Magic Kingdom.
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