Disney Parks, the magical places open 365 days a year, right? Well, almost! Occasionally, even the magic has to pause. Let’s explore ten rare events that forced Disney to close its doors.
September 11th, Disneyland & Disney World, 2001
The September 11th attacks shook the United States. Disney made the unprecedented decision to close both Disneyland and Disney World. There was concern that the resorts might be targets. The announcement was simple: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, the park is now closed.” Guests were calmly directed to the exits, and the parks reopened the next morning.
Hurricane Frances, Disney World, 2004
Hurricane Frances slammed into Florida, causing widespread damage. Disney World had to close for an entire weekend, including Labor Day weekend. This closure cost Disney valuable tourism dollars. Despite the disruption, the parks sustained minimal damage and reopened on Tuesday.
Yippies Protest, Disneyland, 1970
In 1970, the Youth International Party (Yippies) planned a takeover of Disneyland. The Anaheim police were prepared, and Disneyland employees were assigned specific tasks. After some incidents, particularly at Tom Sawyer’s Island, Disneyland decided to close the park early. Police escorted the group out, and several Yippies were arrested. While there was minor property damage, the situation was handled.
Hurricane Matthew, Disney World, 2016
Hurricane Matthew led to the closure of Walt Disney World’s major theme parks, Disney Springs, and water parks. The parks closed Thursday night and did not reopen until Saturday morning. The strong hurricane had already devastated Haiti before hitting Florida with winds over 100 mph. The decision to close was crucial for safety.
Hurricane Charley, Disney World, 2004
Hurricane Charley caused Disney’s Animal Kingdom to remain closed for an entire day, and other parks closed early. This was only the third time Disney World had closed to the public. The hurricane, the strongest to hit the U.S. since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, caused significant damage in Florida. Despite minor damage to Disney World, crews worked through the night to reopen the park.
Earthquake, Tokyo Disney, 2011
The devastating 8.9-magnitude earthquake in Japan in March 2011 forced Tokyo Disney to close. Guests were initially sheltered in place before being evacuated. Due to power shortages caused by issues at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear power plant, Tokyo Disney closed for five weeks. When it reopened, it was with limited hours to conserve power.
Terrorist Attacks, Disneyland Paris, 2015
Following the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13, 2015, Disneyland Paris closed as a security measure and to show solidarity. The two parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, remained closed from November 14th to November 17th. The closure was part of a national three-day mourning period, and the parks reopened on November 18th.
Pres. John F. Kennedy Assassination, Disneyland, 1963
After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, Disneyland closed the park the following day in observance of national mourning. This closure marked a moment of respect and remembrance for the nation’s leader.
Hurricane Irma, Disney World, 2017
Hurricane Irma, a Category 4 hurricane, caused Disney World to close for a couple of days. Although the park didn’t lose power, high winds and rain led to fallen trees and building leaks. Disney World’s parking areas were used as staging areas for utility crews. The parks reopened the following Tuesday.
COVID-19, All Parks, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic forced Disney to shut down all its parks worldwide. Tokyo Disneyland closed at the end of February, followed by Disney World and Disneyland Paris in mid-March, and Disneyland shortly after. Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort had closed earlier. The phased reopening efforts began later, with limited capacity and new safety measures.
From natural disasters to unforeseen events, these rare closures highlight the extraordinary circumstances that can briefly halt the magic at Disney Parks.
What do you think about these unexpected closures? Which event surprised you the most? Leave your comment below!
