Disney is still charging its annual passholders their usual monthly fee despite the parks being closed, report disgruntled customers.

Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California have both been shut since mid-March due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

However, when it first closed its doors, Disney sent its most loyal customers an email saying they would still be charged their normal payment.

“Annual Passholders on the monthly payment program will remain on the current payment schedule and continue to make their scheduled payments,” read the email, shared by TMZ.

“These Annual Passholders will have their Passport expiration date extended based on pass type and level of access due to the impacts of the closure, and will not be required to make any payments during that extended period.”

Although Disney has promised that passes will be extended by the same length of time that the parks are closed, some customers have argued that payments should be suspended at a time when many are struggling to manage financially.

“So Disney is closed but made sure to pull their Annual Pass payment causing my account to go negative $90... no it’s fine I’ve just been laid off for three weeks with a baby due any minute now,” tweeted @PalmTreeDarling.

Eric Coleman wrote on Twitter: “Hey Disney. Amazing how I can work with my mortgage company while on furlough, but I can’t freeze my annual passes. I will not be renewing, but thanks for the ‘extension’. Do the right thing, Disney. The annual pass holders are your neighbours...”

After officially shutting the parks from 14 March, Disney initially expected to re-open just two weeks later, on 1 April.

However, Disneyland and Disney World have now extended the closures “until further notice.”

The Independent has asked Disney for comment.

It comes after the US recorded the highest daily number of deaths from Covid-19 of anywhere in the world so far: 1,169.

Americans are expected to be advised to wear non-medical masks, T-shirts or scarves over their mouths and noses while outdoors – although President Trump said it would not be mandatory.

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