Coronavirus: Disney, Universal to close hotels and Disney Springs, CityWalk stores

ORLANDO, Fla. — Walt Disney World said Monday that it plans to close its hotels and the stores at Disney Springs that it owns and operates to stop the spread of COVID-19, or new coronavirus.

Disney said it will close its hotels at 5 p.m. Friday.

The company said the owners of the Disney Springs stores that it does not own will be able to decide for themselves whether they will close.

WFTV's Skywitness 9 flew over Disney's Magic Kingdom on Monday, the first day Disney's theme parks and water parks were closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Universal Resort Orlando, SeaWorld and Legoland have also temporarily closed their parks to keep the spread to a minimum.

Universal said it will close Universal CityWalk at midnight and its hotels at 5 p.m. Friday.

The company said it anticipates the closures to run through March 31.

Earlier Monday, Universal said it postponed the opening of its new hotel, the Endless Summer Dockside Inn and Suites, which was scheduled to open Tuesday.

A new opening date has not been announced.

Guests who were scheduled to stay there will now be staying at the Surfside Inn and Suites.