Disneyland visitors savor final day before closure for coronavirus

Disneyland fans normally can bank on the park being open regardless of what's going on in the world around it. The park closed only a handful of times in 65 years and never for more than a day, said Jason Schultz, supervisory archivist at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum and unofficial Disneyland historian who wrote "Jason's Disneyland Almanac."

Jeff Reitz leaves Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Anaheim, Calif., on Friday, March 13, 2020. This is Reitz' 2,995th consecutive day visiting Disneyland. His streak is ending tonight when Disneyland closes because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

A Disneyland spokesperson declined to comment about previous closures or the park's final day before it closed temporarily.

Walt Disney Co. announced the closure of Disneyland on Thursday, shortly after California Gov. Gavin Newsom's news conference on his executive order recommending against any "nonessential" gatherings of more than 250 people.

Universal Studios Hollywood and other theme parks also announced closures. Florida's Disney World plans to shutter on Monday.

Guests enter Walt Disney Co.'s Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California, U.S., on Friday, March 13, 2020. Fans in Orlando, Florida, and Anaheim, California, lined up Friday morning to visit Walt Disney Co.s theme parks before they close due to the coronavirus.

Guests enter Walt Disney Co.'s Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California, U.S., on Friday, March 13, 2020. Fans in Orlando, Florida, and Anaheim, California, lined up Friday morning to visit Walt Disney Co.s theme parks before they close due to the coronavirus.

Katherine Quezada shows off her engagement ring as she takes a selfie with her new fiance, Fernando Carranza, in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle the during the last day before Disneyland closes because of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, in Anaheim, California.

Visitors take selfies in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle during the last day before Disneyland closes because of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, in Anaheim, California.

High school sweethearts from Burbank, Calif. Sean Cyphers, 47, and Stephanie Cyphers, 49, who have annual passes to Disneyland enjoy a day at Disneyland, in Anaheim, Calif.