For the first time in history, every theme park in the country, and even some internationally, closed last week due to the rapid spread and threat of Coronavirus. It was also the first time in history that Disneyland and Disneyworld both closed their doors for more than one day at a time. For the first time in both park histories, they announced they were closing for about two weeks. Then Downtown Disney and Disney Springs and Disney Cruise Line closed as well. According to my research, the only other time Disneyland closed was on November 23, 1963, the day after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and again on September 11, 2001 due to the terrorist attacks in other parts of the country. Disneyworld also closed on 9/11 and also a few other times due to Hurricane Floyd on September 14, 1999, on August 13, 2004 due to Hurricane Charley, on September 4 and 5, 2004 due to Hurricane Frances, and September 26, 2004 due to Hurricane Jeanne, on October 6, 2016 due to Hurricane Matthew, and lastly on September 9-12, 2017 due to Hurricane Irma. Last year they closed early on September 3, 2019 due to Hurricane Dorian, but luckily the storm changed its course pretty quickly. But despite weather, it has really only been 2 different one-day closures in history, so as you can imagine, this is a big deal! At this moment the parks are scheduled to be closed until March 31, 2020.
So what are us Disney loving families supposed to do when the parks are closed and we are ordered to stay at home? We bring the parks to our houses!! Below I outlined my TOP 10 ways you can bring Disney to your home during this time of social distancing and quarantine and even “Shelter in Place” orders from the California governor. Just because we can’t go to the parks, doesn’t mean the magic ends. We have to continue to create the magic and bring the Pixie Dust to our families and children – especially during a time like this!!! Wouldn’t you agree?
But I warn you, these activities may just bring a lot of laughter, fun, and magic to your day!!!
1️⃣ Watch Disney Plus!!
2️⃣ Have a Disney dance party! Put on your favorite Disney tunes and dance away!!!
3️⃣ Watch your favorite rides on YouTube with parent supervision
4️⃣ Make your own Mickey shaped food or churros at home!
5️⃣ Play the new Mickey & Minnie’s Trivia Time game and have more interactive fun at the parks on the Play Disney Parks app
6️⃣ Pretend Play you are on a ride (sit in a laundry basket and put on “It’s A Small Small World” or “Pirates of the Caribbean” song and push your kids around the house)
7️⃣ Play dress up with your kids! Put on a princess dress or any type of Disney shirt and don’t forget to wear your ears!
8️⃣ Disney Parks Blog has a fun, easy-to-follow guide to learning how to draw Mickey Mouse! #BetterTogether #DisneyParks
9️⃣ They also have a free online course from a partnership with Khan Academy called “Imagineering In A Box.” This one-of-a-kind learning experience from Walt Disney Imagineering invites you to dream, create and build…right at home! #ImagineeringInABox #DisneyParks
🔟 You can also keep busy with an educational series all about Disney Animals on the DisneyNOW app! Disney Animals showcases the magnificent animals in Disney’s care, even while our parks are temporary closed. #BetterTogether #DisneyParks
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