KEY POINTS

  • Disneyland and Disney World have been closed since March 14
  • The company said it would pay employees through April 18. The parks were tentatively set to reopen April 19
  • Theme parks in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris and Shanghai also were closed

Disney (DIS) announced Friday it would close Disneyland and Walt Disney World indefinitely as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and hourly workers will be paid through April 18. The California and Florida theme parks had been scheduled to reopen next week.

The two parks have been closed since March 14 and their websites say they are temporarily closed.

"While there is still much uncertainty with respect to the impacts of COVID-19, the safety and well-being of our guests and employees remains the Walt Disney Co.’s top priority," the company said in a statement.

“As a result of this unprecedented pandemic and in line with direction provided by health experts and government officials, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort will remain closed until further notice.”

The company said it planned to continue paying its hourly workers and cast members through April 18.

The decision came after union leaders sent a letter demanding an update on company plans. Christopher Duarte, president of Workers United Local 50, said in the letter union members were worried about “medical insurance, rent, food and other necessities.”

Disney and Universal Studios two weeks ago decided to close their gates to visitors through the end of March as the spread of the virus began taking off.

All Disney parks worldwide have been closed including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris and Shanghai. The Shanghai resort partially resumed operations -- shopping, dining and other recreational activities – March 9 though gates to the park itself remain closed.

Universal has said it plans to reopen April 19 and would pay employees through that date.

This is the first time Disney has closed both parks since 9/11.

Disney World employs 75,000 people while Disneyland employs 31,00. Both parks have had unscheduled closures. Disney World has closed as a result of various hurricanes while Disneyland, which opened in 1955, has closed only three times: for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Yippies protest in 1970 and 9/11.

The closures will have a significant economic impact on Southern California and Orlando, Florida.

Disney stock closed 8.5% lower Friday at $96.40.

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