Is Disney World closed for Hurricane Milton? What to know as storm approaches
Disney announced that they will close their park in phases on Wednesday, the day Milton is expected to make landfall on the West coast of the Sunshine State.
As Hurricane Milton strengthened again to a Category 5 hurricane, Florida residents are bracing for what could be one of the most devastating storms, just weeks after Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast. Evacuations are underway as Milton is expected to make landfall on Wednesday.
The storm has been closely monitored by officials as it quickly strengthened from a Category 2 to a Category 5 on Monday.
The hurricane is expected to make landfall on the west coast of the Florida peninsula before moving through the middle of the state as a weaker-category hurricane. Extremely dangerous conditions are expected, with deadly storm surges of up to 10 feet in some areas.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 51 counties ahead of the storm. Orange and Hillsborough counties, home of Florida’s top theme parks, are under this state of emergency.
Will Walt Disney World Resort remain open during Hurricane Milton? Here’s what we know.
Live updates: Hurricane Milton strengthens to Category 5 as it approaches Florida
Is Disney World in Orlando closed for Hurricane Milton?
Walt Disney World theme parks are currently operating under normal conditions; however, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, the theme parks and Disney Springs will be closed in phases beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET:
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will close at 1 p.m.
- Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney Springs will close at 2 p.m.
They advised that it is likely the theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, Oct. 10. Disney said it will consider opening Disney Springs on Thursday in the late afternoon, with limited offerings.
This includes the cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom park on Thursday, Oct. 10. Event tickets will be refunded.
They previously made some adjustments based on the latest weather forecast and some areas with unique environments:
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground (including dining and recreation locations), the Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will close beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9 and may stay closed until Sunday.
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are likely to remain closed until Sunday, Oct. 13.
- The Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will likely reopen on Friday, Oct. 11.
What is Disney World's hurricane policy? Can I get a refund?
According to its website, Walt Disney World Resort will make exceptions to its standard policy and issue refunds in the event of a hurricane if the National Hurricane Center issues a warning for the Orlando area or a visitor’s place of residence within seven days of their “scheduled arrival date,"if tickets and reservations were booked directly through Disney. Dates can be modified as well.
You will have to reach out to any third-party suppliers you booked with.
Did people evacuate to Disney World for a hurricane?
In previous hurricanes, the company has also offered deals to residents needing a safe place to evacuate and hunker down in the storm.
During 2023's Hurricane Nicole, Disney offered 50% off Disney resort hotel stays on select dates for evacuees, adding the company had strict check-in times.
Is Universal Studios closed for Hurricane Milton?
On Wednesday, Oct. 9, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk will be open until 2 p.m., weather permitting, and will be closed on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Volcano Bay will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Hotel operations will continue.
Universal Studios' hurricane policy
Universal Orlando's website states that they "can't make guarantees about the weather, but your travel plans can still be stress-free."
"In the event that a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center or a state of emergency is declared for the Orlando area or in your place of residence, within seven days of your arrival, you can contact our team in advance to reschedule or cancel your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations Package, hotel room only accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets booked directly with Universal Orlando, without any cancellation or change fees imposed."
Hurricane Milton tracker
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for Paste BN. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.