Disneyland California closes down due to coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus has forced Disneyland in California to shut its doors for just the fourth time in its 65-year history, with guests given a deadline to get out.

Disneyland will be shut down for just the fourth time in its 65 years due to fears about the spread of coronavirus.

The California theme park — the second-most visited park in the world — said it would close its doors from Saturday until the end of March at least but the situation would continue to be monitored.

Hotels will stay open on Monday to give guests the chance to pack up and leave. The closure includes both Disneyland Park and the adjoining but separate Disneyland California Adventure.

RELATED: Follow our coronavirus updates

RELATED: Eerie photos of deserted tourist destinations due to virus

This is just the fourth time Disneyland, which opened in 1955, has suspended operations due to a major event.

Disneyland has only shut down three times in its 65-year history. Picture: Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort

It was shuttered in 1963 for national day of mourning after the assassination of President John F Kennedy and again in 1994 after the Northridge Earthquake struck California.

It most recently closed after the September 11 attacks.

The decision came after Governor of California Gavin Newsom called for gatherings of 250 or more to be cancelled to stem the spread of the contagion.

The park will close from Saturday, with hotel guests given a deadline of Monday to leave. Picture: Scott Nelson/AFP

Disneyland said it would continue to pay cast members during the shutdown period.

“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 resort said in a statement.

Visitors attend Disney California Adventure theme park on February 25. Picture: David McNew/Getty Images/AFP

“Disneyland Resort will work with guests who wish to change or cancel their visits, and will provide refunds to those who have hotel bookings during this closure period.”

Disneyland is the world’s second-most visited theme park and welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each day.

Disney has closed its parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong in January, a move the company estimated would cost it about $450 million. Theme parks in Japan have also been shuttered.

It’s unclear if Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida will similarly closed.

Universal Studios in Los Angeles will close its doors from tomorrow for at least two weeks, while Paramount and Sony have suspended studio tours.

Disneyland joins a long list of iconic tourist destinations shut down due to coronavirus, which also includes the Louvre Museum in Paris and the Vatican Museums.