Disneyland and Universal close California parks in March to help halt spread of coronavirus

Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure plan to close starting Saturday, March 14.

Southern California theme parks announced temporary closures Thursday after California Gov. Gavin Newsom advised residents of the Golden State to cancel or postpone events involving more than 250 people.

screenshot/disneyland.disney.go.com

These are the fourth and fifth Disney parks to close amid the coronavirus pandemic. Previously, Disney parks in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai have shuttered temporarily.

The hotels at Disneyland Resort will remain open until Monday, March 16, so that current guests can make travel arrangements. Downtown Disney, a local shopping area, will remain open, the company said.

Disney will continue to pay cast members while the park is closed. It anticipates keeping the parks closed until April.

Universal Studios expects to reopen on March 28.