Disney Water Parks Won’t Reopen Until 2021

Published on September 21, 2020

Disney World is open to guests at the moment, which has led to mishandled COVID-19 cases among mistreated employees. Disneyland and water parks remain closed as well, and the water parks won’t return until 2021. The company will reopen one of those parks early next year, though.

Disney Water Parks

Disney has tentative plans to reopen two of their Orlando resort water parks, Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, early next year. Disney’s water parks have remained closed since March. “While Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park remain closed at this time, pending government approvals, we currently plan to reopen one of the two Disney water parks on March 7, 2021,” Disney wrote in a statement. “We will provide more details on our phased reopening plan, including a decision on the specific water park that will be reopening first, at a later time.”

Refunds

Disney makes a good deal of bank from Platinum Plus and Premiere Annual Passholders. In the meantime, due to the closures, Disney is issuing tiny refunds to their pass holders. An annual pass holder, for example, will get 27 cents per day. Here’s how the refunds work: 

  • Platinum Plus Passholders: If you are a Platinum Plus Passholder, this refund amount is based on the price difference between the price you paid for your Platinum Plus Pass and the price of a Platinum Annual Pass prorated by the number of days left on your pass prior to water park reopening, according to the details as to when partial refunds apply and how they are calculated.
  • Premier Passholders: If you are a Premier Passholder, you will receive a pro-rated refund based on the difference between a Walt Disney World Platinum Plus pass compared to the price of a Platinum pass prorated by the number of days left on your pass prior to Water Park reopening (excluding any additional extensions you may be eligible for due to the continued closure of Disneyland Resort) according to the details as to when partial refunds apply and how they are calculated.
  • Passholders on the Monthly Payment Program: For those on the Annual Pass monthly payment program, please note you will receive a lump sum refund as noted above; however, your ongoing monthly payment will not change.

Disney has made clear plans could change. The company’s reopening date for Disney World, for example, changed more than once as COVID-19 heavily impacted the state of Florida. While Disney’s water parks remain closed, Universal Studios has kept their Volcano Bay water park open for guests.

The Dangers of Water Parks

Water parks are not safe during the pandemic. “Evidence shows that COVID-19 cannot be spread to humans through most recreational water,” according to the CDC. The CDC even released a set of rules for people attending water parks, which first and foremost, start with maintaining social distancing. Keep six-feet apart. 

Chlorine and bromine will lessen the chances of spreading COVID-19. Pools and water parks require consistent disinfection. The disinfectant will combat SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. In and outside of waterparks, people must continue to thoroughly wash their hands, especially before eating or touching one’s face. As for hand sanitizer, make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol to fight COVID-19.

Jack Giroux is a Staff Writer at Grit Daily. Based in Los Angeles, he is an entertainment journalist who's previously written for Thrillist, Slash Film, Film School Rejects, and The Film Stage.

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