All 4 theme parks and extra are closing at Walt Disney World as a consequence of Hurricane Milton. Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom gained’t reopen till after the storm passes Orlando. Moreover, there are different closures, adjustments, and cancellations by way of at the very least Friday, October 10, 2024. This put up offers a rundown of all operational updates to Central Florida points of interest.
With regard to the storm system itself, Hurricane Milton hit Class 5 storm system with 180 mph winds on Monday, however weakened in a single day to Class 4 in a single day. The middle of the storm is forecast to make landfall alongside the west-central coast of Florida on Wednesday evening, and transfer throughout central Florida by way of Thursday. The system has slowed down since yesterday, ensuing within the delayed-arrival as contrasted with earlier forecasts–which additionally explains why Central Florida theme parks have dragged their ft on asserting closures.
As of two p.m. on October 8, the Nationwide Hurricane Heart said that Milton is as soon as once more growing in power and measurement, and is near Class 5 power with maximum-sustained winds at 155 mph positioned 520 miles southwest of Tampa transferring east-northeast at 8 mph. The Nationwide Hurricane Heart warns that Milton is a doubtlessly catastrophic hurricane on the high of its wind scale, and some of the harmful hurricanes on file for west-central Florida.
Moreover, all of Walt Disney World is now underneath a hurricane warning, as each Osceola and Orange Counties have been upgraded from watch standing to fully-fledged hurricane warnings.
Right here’s our newest have a look at all the closures at Walt Disney World, Orlando Airports, and different theme parks in Central Florida…
Walt Disney World Closures & Cancellations for Hurricane Milton
Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom theme parks will shut early as a consequence of Hurricane Milton on Wednesday, October 9:
- Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will shut at 1 p.m.
- Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs will shut at 2 p.m.
It’s probably that every one 4 Walt Disney World theme parks will stay closed on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Walt Disney World will contemplate opening Disney Springs on Thursday within the late afternoon, with restricted choices.
Though not formally introduced, don’t be stunned if some third get together companies at Disney Springs shut earlier on Wednesday and don’t reopen till afterward Friday (or in any respect), even when the remainder of Disney Springs does resume operations.
Presently, all 4 theme parks are scheduled to reopen on Friday, October 11, 2024, however the schedule is topic to vary.
There’s additionally previous precedent for Walt Disney World reopening areas solely to on-site resort company, so that might occur on October 10 if Hurricane Milton passes shortly and Central Florida emerges comparatively unscathed.
If the very best case state of affairs (hopefully!) performs out, it wouldn’t shock us if EPCOT reopens on Thursday evening for resort company, adopted by the opposite parks later within the day or on Saturday and Sunday. Having Disney Springs up and operating on Thursday night can be an excellent comfort prize, too.
It’ll be attention-grabbing to see what occurs with Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together at Magic Kingdom and Halloween Horror Nights on Friday. This are big-money occasions for Disney and Common that they gained’t need to cancel, however it could be robust to get every little thing again up and operating–and correctly staffed–by then. (No precise perception right here–only a potential non-best case state of affairs.)
Every time the parks do reopen, don’t be stunned if sure points of interest don’t reopen instantly. Something with a number of bushes is an apparent candidate for a chronic closure. If I recall accurately, it took Jungle Cruise a few days after Hurricane Irma to reopen.
It could be an analogous story with trails and points of interest in Animal Kingdom, or the park as a complete, if there are staggered reopenings. Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom is one other such space, and there gained’t be an enormous sense of urgency to get that space reopened because it’s much less fashionable.
Exterior the parks, there could be resorts which might be out of fee totally or have areas closed off as a consequence of downed bushes. Fort Wilderness is the obvious instance, however not the one one–many resorts have a number of bushes. It’s an analogous story with the Port Orleans Resorts, Wilderness Lodge, and so on.
Together with this, the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together scheduled for Thursday, October 10 is cancelled. Visitors with pre-purchased get together tickets for this get together will routinely obtain a full refund for the occasion tickets.
Observe: Reviews we’ve heard about transferring Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together tickets to a unique bought out date have been very combined when it got here to the Hurricane Helene cancellations a pair weeks in the past.
The most effective probabilities of success are when switching to the October 11 occasion, which is sensible each for company and for Disney, as they’re more likely to have a ton of cancellations for that MNSSHP. As there’s no formally revealed coverage, your mileage might differ.
Transportation – Walt Disney World Transportation will cease working on Wednesday, October 9 after Disney Springs and the Walt Disney World theme parks shut. Restricted Minnie Van and Mears taxi service shall be obtainable to Walt Disney World Resort Visitors.
Reservations for Eating and Different Experiences – Efficient instantly, Walt Disney World won’t implement cancellation insurance policies till additional discover for eating and different experiences.
Pay as you go bookable experiences shall be routinely refunded inside 7 to 10 enterprise days.
Recreation – Disney’s Hurricane Lagoon water park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf shall be closed on Wednesday, October 9. Disney’s Blizzard Seaside water park stays closed for deliberate refurbishment.
There are not any occasions deliberate for ESPN Broad World of Sports activities Advanced till the weekend.
The next ‘rustic resorts’ will quickly shut starting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024:
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Cascade Cabins at Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are more likely to stay closed till Sunday, October 13, 2024. The Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will probably reopen on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue performances have been canceled October 9-10 in mild of the non permanent closure of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Visitors with pre-paid reservations shall be routinely canceled and refunded.
Eating places in resorts will proceed to function in choose areas with availability topic to vary.
Moreover, Walt Disney World is permitting adjustments and cancellations with no penalties for company arriving between now and Monday, October 14, 2024. This is applicable to reservations booked by the Walt Disney Journey Firm or Disney Locations, LLC. (In different phrases, should you booked by way of Walt Disney World straight–both by cellphone or Disneyworld.com–you’re eligible. Identical goes for reservations booked by way of an Licensed Disney Trip Planner or journey agent.)
Most leeway-only and trip packages may be modified, or cancelled on-line, together with adjustments to journey dates, with out charges. Packages together with air transportation or different providers offered by third events, or these with journey safety, can’t be modified or cancelled on-line. Visitors with these reservations might want to name Walt Disney World for help. (Anticipate longer-than-normal maintain occasions.)
As a consequence of Hurricane Milton, Common Orlando Resort is making the next operational adjustments for Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10, 2024:
- On Wednesday, Common Studios Florida, Islands of Journey and Common CityWalk shall be open till 2 p.m. and shall be closed all-day on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
- Common Volcano Bay shall be closed all day on Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10.
- Halloween Horror Nights at Common Studios Florida is cancelled for Wednesday and Thursday nights
- Common accommodations stay operational as they deal with caring for company.
Observe that hours of operation are topic to vary primarily based on forecast alterations and a few attraction and expertise availability could also be restricted on Wednesday as we put together for an early closure.
Common Orlando Resort anticipates a full reopening, together with Halloween Horror Nights, on October 11, 2024 at regular working hours pending the result of storm impacts.
Elsewhere round Central Florida, LEGOLAND Florida Resort shall be closed Wednesday and Thursday as a consequence of Hurricane Milton. This closure additionally consists of Peppa Pig Theme Park.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort shall be OPEN in a restricted capability, together with to company with current reservations.
Because of the projected path of Hurricane Milton, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Discovery Cove parks have enacted its Named Storm Coverage and shall be quickly closed on:
- Busch Gardens Tampa is CLOSED on Tuesday, October eighth, Wednesday, October ninth and Thursday, October tenth. Howl-O-Scream is cancelled for Thursday, October 10. Tickets could also be used for any remaining Howl-O-Scream occasion nights.
- Journey Island stays operating on its seasonal schedule with out adjustments right now. Please examine social media for updates concerning park opening on Friday, October 11.
- SeaWorld Orlando stays OPEN on Tuesday, October eighth. SeaWorld Orlando shall be CLOSED on Wednesday, October ninth and Thursday, October tenth.
- Aquatica Orlando stays OPEN on Tuesday, October eighth. Aquatica shall be CLOSED on Wednesday, October ninth and Thursday, October tenth.
All date-intended tickets for closure days have been prolonged by way of December 31, 2024 and requires no motion to be taken. Precautions are in place following the parks’ complete climate preparedness plan to make sure the protection of animals and ambassadors throughout this time. Visitors are inspired to examine again on our web site and observe our social media channels for updates. Keep tuned for data concerning reopening following the storm on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Orlando Worldwide Airport introduced that it’s going to stop business passenger and personal operations as a consequence of Hurricane Milton beginning at 8 am on October 9, 2024. MCO itself is NOT closed and can stay open to just accept emergency/help and reduction flights as needed.
Presently, MCO is predicted to renew operations on Friday, after assessing all injury to airport property and amenities. Orlando Worldwide Airport notes the time for the reopening is “fluid” and topic to vary. It may occur sooner–or later–relying upon Hurricane Milton’s depth and impacts in Orlando.
Per Orlando Worldwide Airport’s official @MCO Twitter account, key airport, airline, and federal company representatives will proceed monitoring the climate and decide whether or not any future closures could also be needed.
We don’t have a lot so as to add right here. Hurricane Milton is presently a significant Class 4 system, and is more likely to make landfall south of Tampa Bay on Wednesday evening with a path taking it proper by way of Central Florida on Thursday–straight in direction of the vacationer hall and Walt Disney World. Governor DeSantis has warned of catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge in areas of Florida, with impacts far broader than the place of the attention makes landfall.
In the end, if you’re at Walt Disney World, be protected. Take this significantly, to your personal sake and that of Solid Members and different company. As correct as storm forecasting has turn into, it’s nonetheless not 100% sure. It’s solely acceptable for Walt Disney World to prioritize human life and security, erring on the facet of warning and shutting the parks, relocating company, and canceling leisure. Right here’s hoping this passes shortly and with minimal injury and hurt, and Walt Disney World can resume regular operations on October 11, 2024. We’ll preserve you posted both manner!
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Your Ideas
Are you presently at Walt Disney World or Central Florida? Have you ever visited throughout previous hurricanes? Any more information, ideas, or first-hand experiences to share about driving out a hurricane at Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
