Yesterday, Disney announced that all of its theme parks around the world will be closing their gates as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As well as keeping their theme parks in their Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo resorts shut, Disney announced that all theme parks in Paris, Orlando, and California would be closing temporarily.
Yesterday, a spokesperson for Disney announced in a statement:
"While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Disneyland Resort, after carefully reviewing the guidelines of the Governor of California's executive order and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure."
The shopping and dining district Downtown Disney will remain open.
Officials also said the California resort hotels will remain open until March 16 to allow guests to make travel arrangements.
But with the Disney parks currently mitigating a host of unforeseen issues, the Disneyland Resort in California has revealed that they will be donating all excess food to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
Writing on the official Disney Parks blog, a statement from External Communications Manager Kyleigh Johnson read:
"The Disneyland Resort has an ongoing commitment to reducing food waste, and during the temporary closure of Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park will be donating excess food inventory to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
"While closely following food safety guidelines, excess inventory of dairy, fruit, vegetables, packaged goods and banquet meals is being donated to Second Harvest Food Bank, whose mission is to end hunger in Orange County."
Johnson went on to reveal more about Disneyland's food donation program, as well as revealing how the park donated more than 20,00 meals to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County last year:
"Since 2014, the Disneyland Resort has operated a food donation program through which prepared, unserved food from select locations is regularly donated to support those in need within the local community. This program is in addition to the food scraps diversion program, which also supports our environmental efforts in reducing food waste.
"Last year, the Disneyland Resort donated over 20,000 meals to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County through the food donation program, and Disney VoluntEARS regularly volunteer there, supporting the mission of ending hunger."
One greatful comment on the post read: "A sincere thank you to the Disney Company for this action. A wise, and compassionate way to help less fortunate neighbors".
The closure of Disneyland in California means this is the fourth time that the iconic park has shut down since its opening on July 17, 1955.
The others were after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, and after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The park remained open after Walt Disney's death.
