Hurricane Helene shaped this morning with the Nationwide Hurricane Middle forecasting the storm to quickly intensify and strike Florida as a significant Class 3 hurricane. Walt Disney World has already introduced closures, cancellations, and changes because of the storm–listed here are updates on all the modifications, insurance policies, impacts and extra.
For probably the most, it’s at the moment enterprise as traditional at Walt Disney World. As of proper now (September 25, 2024 at 3 pm Jap), the corporate has not indicated that it plans on closing Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, or any resort resorts. Nonetheless, there are different closures and fewer important operational impacts attributable to Hurricane Helene.
Furthermore, Disney at all times screens the climate and can prioritize visitor and Forged Member security above all else. The present monitoring locations the worst of Helene fairly removed from Walt Disney World, nevertheless it may nonetheless ‘wobble’ to the east. If that occurs, and it turns into potential that Hurricane Helene will pose an precise menace to the parks and resorts–past simply moist climate and wind–inflicting extra bulletins tonight and even tomorrow.
For starters, we’ve got not obtained any indication that Walt Disney World has formally enacted its extra lenient hurricane cancellation and modification coverage. Nonetheless, this has been been informally instituted on a case-by-case foundation.
As a reminder, the coverage formally applies if a hurricane warning is issued by the Nationwide Hurricane Middle for the Orlando space—or to your place of residence—inside 7 days of your scheduled arrival date. In that situation, it’s possible you’ll reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Journey Firm Disney Resort lodge packages and most space solely reservations (booked immediately with Disney) with none cancellation or change charges imposed by Disney. Most leeway-only and trip packages may be modified, or cancelled on-line, together with modifications to journey dates.
We additionally haven’t obtained phrase of any courtesy reductions. Usually, present visitors staying at Walt Disney World resort resorts whose journey plans are impacted by hurricanes or tropical storms might obtain a reduced price to increase their keep, if wanted, by visiting the entrance desk.
Equally, it’s additionally widespread for Florida residents evacuating from the storm and first responders helping in storm-related restoration efforts to obtain 50% off Walt Disney World resort lodge stays on the impacted evenings. Once more, this has not been formally introduced, however we’re guessing that it applies because it at all times does. (I’m not going to clog up the cellphone strains attempting to determine it out.)
For evacuees, please name (407) W-DISNEY for particulars. For first responders, please name (407) 828-3200 (Possibility 3). This is applicable to new bookings solely and is predicated on availability. In the event you’re on the Gulf Coast, this can be a nice choice–we’ve needed to trip out a hurricane at Walt Disney World earlier than, and it was about as protected as we presumably may have felt given the circumstances.
Now let’s flip to the closures, cancellations & modifications to operations at Walt Disney World for September 26, 2024…
Walt Disney World has formally introduced that Storm Lagoon water park will probably be closed on September 26, 2024 attributable to inclement climate. Moreover, Beachcomber Shack (cabanas) and Storm Lagoon Umbrella leases are cancelled for Thursday, September 26, 2024.
Over at Common Orlando, the identical factor is occurring with Volcano Bay closed on September 26 however anticipated to reopen the next day. (That’s the one UOR replace to date–Halloween Horror Nights remains to be occurring at this level.) As you’re most likely conscious, Blizzard Seashore water park is already closed for “refurbishment” presently, so it additionally received’t be open tomorrow…however for causes wholly unrelated to climate.
Additionally because of the inclement climate, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will probably be closed on September 26, 2024. As with the air quotes round refurbishment above, these closures are maybe simply as a lot attributable to a scarcity of visitor demand as they’re attributable to climate. Whereas it’s potential cleanup will probably be vital at Storm Lagoon, that’s the one park the place ‘storm-strewn’ is actually on-theme!
The most important information is that the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together occurring the evening of September 26, 2024 at Magic Kingdom has been cancelled. Right here’s the message from Walt Disney World concerning the closure:
“We’re at all times seeking to ship an incredible and pleasing expertise for our visitors. On account of forecasted climate and the affect to our outside leisure choices, we’re cancelling Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Get together tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 26. Visitor tickets will probably be refunded. Refunds will probably be mechanically issued to the unique type of cost inside 7 enterprise days.
Whereas Magic Kingdom was scheduled to shut tomorrow at 6 p.m., we’re extending working hours till 8 p.m. for visitors to get pleasure from extra time within the park.”
It’s value emphasizing that hours are being prolonged for now. With previous hurricanes or tropical storms, it’s grow to be commonplace for the parks to shut early, typically with a same-day announcement. Walt Disney World’s intention is to remain open later as a visitor courtesy, however security comes first within the order of the 4 Keys.
As for why Walt Disney World would cancel Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together whereas extending park hours–seemingly contradictory strikes–it really is sensible. There’s heavy rain within the forecast beginning tomorrow afternoon and never relenting till late at evening. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together would’ve been a complete rainout, with each parades, stage reveals and different leisure nearly definitely cancelled.
In previous such situations, we’ve seen certainly one of two issues occur: both hour-plus strains at Metropolis Corridor with visitors requesting refunds or Walt Disney World getting forward of that by merely providing them mechanically as a result of they anticipated as a lot. That just about assuredly would’ve occurred at tomorrow evening’s MNSSHP, so Disney is just performing preemptively. It’d disappoint visitors in the present day, nevertheless it beats losing everybody’s time and much more cash to host the occasion solely to finish up disappointing them tomorrow.
It’s value noting that MNSSHP is now completely offered out of the season, so for those who don’t desire a refund and as a substitute need tickets to a distinct date, we’d suggest contacting Walt Disney World ASAP. Up to now, they’ve opened up some availability for storm-displaced visitors, nevertheless it’s restricted and case-by-case. The sooner you name, the extra probably you might be to have success in getting tickets for a future date that’s already offered out. (Observe that this solely applies to ticket-holders of the September 26 MNSSHP; for those who haven’t already purchased tickets, you’re out of luck.)
Walt Disney World additionally introduced that the next excursions and Enchanting Extras Assortment experiences are cancelled for Thursday, September 26:
- Savor the Savanna
- Up Shut with Rhinos
- Strolling with Giants
- Wild Africa Trek
Swimming pools at Disney Resort resorts will proceed to function or shut beneath regular situations.
That’s it for now so far as closures, cancellations & modifications go. We’ll proceed monitoring bulletins and can replace the above accordingly. You may as well comply with Walt Disney World’s Climate Updates web page (though every little thing isn’t at all times posted there–as an example, there’s no point out of the MNSSHP cancellation).
As of the two pm replace on September 25, 2024 from the Nationwide Hurricane Middle, Helene remained a Class 1 hurricane with 80 mph sustained winds about 110 miles north-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico and 480 miles south-southwest of Tampa because it moved north-northwest at 10 mph. Hurricane-force winds prolong out 25 miles and tropical-storm-force winds prolong out 275 miles from the middle.
Hurricane Helene’s projected path has the middle making landfall with a cone starting from south of Tallahassee in Florida’s Massive Bend area west to Panama Metropolis on the Panhandle. Nationwide Hurricane Middle forecasters predict that the system will attain peak sustained winds of 125 mph with gusts as much as 155 mph and storm surge that might high 18 ft. That’s places it simply shy of Class 4 storm energy.
The Nationwide Hurricane Middle signifies that because of the giant measurement of Helene, there’s a hazard of life-threatening storm surge alongside the whole west coast of the Florida Peninsula and Florida Massive Bend. The best inundation of larger than 10 ft is anticipated alongside the Florida Massive Bend coast. Residents in these areas ought to comply with recommendation given by native officers and evacuate if informed to take action.
Devastating hurricane-force winds are anticipated throughout parts of northern Florida and southern Georgia the place the core of Helene strikes inland. Preparations to guard life and property ought to be accomplished by early Thursday since tropical storm situations are anticipated to start inside these areas on Thursday. Due to Helene’s anticipated quick ahead pace, damaging and life-threatening wind gusts, are anticipated to penetrate effectively inland over parts of the southeastern United States, together with within the greater terrain of the southern Appalachians.
Helene will carry heavy rain together with robust wind effectively exterior its cone. Appreciable and probably life-threatening flash and concrete
flooding is anticipated throughout parts of northwestern and northern Florida, the Southeast, southern Appalachians, and the Higher Tennessee Valley Wednesday via Friday. This contains the danger of landslides throughout the southern Appalachians. Widespread minor to average river flooding is probably going, and remoted main river flooding is feasible.
DisneyWorld.com has added the above banner to the highest of the web site. This will probably be up to date all through in the present day and tomorrow with information about how the parks & resorts will or won’t be impacted, and whether or not the parks are working usually or not.
Our guess/hope is that Hurricane Helene received’t trigger a closure of the Walt Disney World theme parks. Maybe night leisure will probably be cancelled, hours will probably be shortened, or possibly minor operational updates will probably be made on the final minute…however that’s most likely about it. Hurricane Helene is approaching the west coast, fairly than the east coast, of Florida. Though it’s intensifying, it doesn’t have the identical energy as different storms from the previous couple of years, and the system’s present path has the worst impacts lacking Orlando.
That most likely means it’ll be principally a matter of heavy rain and wind at Walt Disney World. However, and this most likely goes with out saying, you must get extreme climate preparedness recommendation from sources aside from a fan weblog about Disney. Because it issues our precise space of experience, we wouldn’t be shocked to see a relocation of visitors from Fort Wilderness. However even that hasn’t occurred as of Wednesday, so it appears unlikely barring a last-minute forecast change. We wouldn’t be shocked if the newest replace is the extent of the official Hurricane Helene operational affect.
We’ll maintain you posted with updates from the Nationwide Hurricane Middle and operational updates from Walt Disney World at any time when one is launched. In the event you’re planning a go to, it’s also possible to seek the advice of our Ideas for Hurricane & Storm Season at Walt Disney World for generalized recommendation on packing, avoiding the worst of the moist climate, and even driving out a hurricane. We hope and doubt it’ll come to that with Hurricane Helene!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study resorts on our Walt Disney World Inns Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every little thing you have to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you involved that Hurricane Helene will affect Walt Disney World? Are you at the moment in Central Florida? Have you ever visited throughout previous tropical storms or hurricanes? Any additional information, ideas, or first-hand experiences to share about driving out a hurricane at Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!