All 4 theme parks and extra are closing at Walt Disney World on account 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 means of no less than Friday, October 10, 2024. This put up gives a rundown of all operational updates to Central Florida points of interest. (Up to date October 9, 2024 at 1:45 pm.)
With regard to the storm system itself, Hurricane Milton is presently a Class 4 storm. The middle of the storm is forecast to make landfall alongside the west-central coast of Florida shortly after midnight with “devastating 130 mph sustained winds and 15-foot surge, and transfer throughout central Florida by means of Thursday.
As of the 1 p.m. replace on October 9, the Nationwide Hurricane Middle reported that the middle of Hurricane Milton was positioned about 145 miles west of Fort Myers and 160 miles southwest of Tampa shifting northeast at 17 mph with most sustained winds of 145 mph, making it a robust Class 4 hurricane after having dropped from Class 5 in a single day. The NHC warns that Milton is a doubtlessly catastrophic hurricane on the prime of its wind scale, and one of the vital harmful hurricanes on report for west-central Florida.
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. Moreover, a twister watch has been issued for components of Florida till 9 p.m. on Wednesday, together with each Orange and Osceola Counties. The watch space might develop and be prolonged throughout the day.
Right here’s our newest take a look at the entire 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 on account 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 doubtless that each one 4 Walt Disney World theme parks will stay closed on Thursday, October 10, 2024. Walt Disney World will take into account opening Disney Springs on Thursday within the late afternoon, with restricted choices.
Above was the unique verbiage, under is the newest up to date as of October 9, 2024 at 1:15 pm:
“On Thursday, October 10, our theme parks and Disney Springs will stay closed, and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Social gathering shall be cancelled (occasion tickets shall be refunded).
For partially used multi-day tickets, ticket expiration dates shall be adjusted to run out on October 11, 2025.”
At present, all 4 theme parks are scheduled to reopen on Friday, October 11, 2024, however the schedule is topic to alter.
This new language makes it a definitive, all-day closure tomorrow. That is doubtless because of the slowing of the system and its projected depth. As of the newest NHC replace, Milton is forecast to be a class 3 or 4 power at landfall, and is anticipated to exit Florida on Thursday nonetheless as a hurricane.
One factor to notice is the best way that Walt Disney World equivocates on the standing of issues on Thursday. The theme parks are “doubtless” to be closed all day and so they “will take into account” opening Disney Springs on Thursday within the late afternoon, with restricted choices. These are Disney’s wiggle phrases, not mine!
It might sound odd to see Walt Disney World use language like this. Nevertheless, there’s previous precedent for Walt Disney World reopening areas solely to on-site resort company–and forward of schedule. That is precisely what we skilled within the aftermath of Irma, when that hurricane turned out to be not practically as dangerous for Walt Disney World as initially forecast. We are able to solely hope Central Florida is so fortunate in relation to Hurricane Milton.
Level being, issues might reopen forward of schedule on October 10 if Hurricane Milton passes shortly and Central Florida emerges comparatively unscathed. If one of the 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 a superb comfort prize, too.
Nevertheless, there’s additionally one other state of affairs the place issues are worse than anticipated (or the storm merely arrives later than anticipated), and the closures are prolonged. Though Walt Disney World clearly intends upon being again to enterprise as traditional by Friday, there are not any ensures that’ll occur.
We don’t actually need to even take into consideration the worst-case state of affairs, a lot much less focus on it. Nevertheless it’s not vital. You may most likely think about circumstances that may delay the closure into Friday or the weekend.
It’ll be attention-grabbing to see what occurs with Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering 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, but it surely is perhaps robust to get every little thing again up and operating–and correctly staffed–by then. This wouldn’t even require a worst-case state of affairs or something near it–these occasions might have cancellations even after every little thing else is again to regular.
Every time the parks do reopen, don’t be stunned if sure points of interest don’t reopen immediately. Something with numerous 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 is perhaps an identical story with trails and points of interest in Animal Kingdom, or the park as an entire, 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 well-liked.
Exterior the parks, there is perhaps resorts which might be out of fee solely or have areas closed off on account of downed bushes. Fort Wilderness is the obvious instance, however not the one one–many resorts have numerous bushes. It’s an identical story with the Port Orleans Resorts, Wilderness Lodge, and so on.
Together with this, the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering scheduled for Thursday, October 10 is cancelled. Company with pre-purchased occasion tickets for this occasion will robotically obtain a full refund for the occasion tickets.
Notice: Stories we’ve heard about shifting Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering tickets to a distinct offered out date have been very combined when it got here to the Hurricane Helene cancellations a pair weeks in the past.
The very best probabilities of success are when switching to the October 11 occasion, which is smart each for company and for Disney, as they’re prone to have a ton of cancellations for that MNSSHP. As there’s no formally printed 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 Company.
Reservations for Eating and Different Experiences – Efficient instantly, Walt Disney World is not going to implement cancellation insurance policies till additional discover for eating and different experiences.
Pay as you go bookable experiences shall be robotically 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 Vast World of Sports activities Advanced till the weekend.
The next ‘rustic resorts’ will briefly 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 prone to stay closed till Sunday, October 13, 2024. The Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will doubtless 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. Company with pre-paid reservations shall be robotically canceled and refunded.
Eating places in resorts will proceed to function in choose areas with availability topic to alter.
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, when you booked by means of Walt Disney World straight–both by telephone or Disneyworld.com–you’re eligible. Identical goes for reservations booked by way of an Approved Disney Trip Planner or journey agent.)
Most leeway-only and trip packages might be modified, or cancelled on-line, together with adjustments to journey dates, with out charges. Packages together with air transportation or different providers supplied by third events, or these with journey safety, can’t be modified or cancelled on-line. Company with these reservations might want to name Walt Disney World for help. (Anticipate longer-than-normal maintain instances.)
As a result 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 concentrate on caring for company.
Notice that hours of operation are topic to alter 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 end result of storm impacts.
Elsewhere round Central Florida, LEGOLAND Florida Resort shall be closed Wednesday and Thursday on account 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 present reservations.
As a result of 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 briefly 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 at the moment. Please examine social media for updates relating to 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 means 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 security of animals and ambassadors throughout this time. Company are inspired to examine again on our web site and observe our social media channels for updates. Keep tuned for info relating to reopening following the storm on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Orlando Worldwide Airport introduced that it’ll stop business passenger and personal operations on account of Hurricane Milton beginning at 8 am on October 9, 2024. MCO itself is NOT closed and can stay open to simply accept emergency/support and reduction flights as vital.
At present, MCO is anticipated to renew operations on Friday, after assessing all harm to airport property and services. Orlando Worldwide Airport notes the time for the reopening is “fluid” and topic to alter. It might 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 vital.
We don’t have a lot so as to add right here. Hurricane Milton is presently a significant Class 4 system, and is prone to make landfall south of Tampa Bay on Wednesday evening with a path taking it proper by means 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.
Finally, in case you are at Walt Disney World, be protected. Take this severely, in your personal sake and that of Forged Members and different company. As correct as storm forecasting has change 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 harm and hurt, and Walt Disney World can resume regular operations on October 11, 2024. We’ll maintain you posted both approach!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Motels Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a singular take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every little thing you must know!
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 once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!