The Walt Disney World Resort is preparing for a rare, weather-related and Universal Studios Orlando will be doing the same. Hurricane Milton is a Category Four storm, after having been a Category Five storm yesterday, and the storm is intensifying once more as it heads for the Florida Peninsula. While Tampa Bay and Fort Meyers appear to be the most at-risk, Orlando is predicted to experience very significant hurricane winds and rains starting Wednesday and going all the way through Thursday.
Cinderella’s Castle in Walt Disney World via 4K WDW YouTube
As a result, Disney World will use the following phased closures:
- Typhoon Lagoon will not open on Wednesday, October 9th.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom will close at 1PM Eastern.
- Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney Springs will all close at 2PM Eastern.
- Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom on October 10th is cancelled and reserved tickets are being refunded.
- Transportation for Disney World will cease operations once all theme parks are closed. There is no announcement for when it might return to service.
- Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf and normal golf courses will all be closed starting October 9th.
- There are no announced dates when Walt Disney World may begin to reopen. Damage assessments and human safety will all be necessary first.
The entrance to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World via DocumentDisney YouTube
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At Universal Studios, their theme parks will close at 2PM Eastern on Wednesday, October 9th.
NEW: Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs will close early on Wednesday.
Animal Kingdom and DHS will close at 1pm. Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs will close at 2pm.
Theme parks likely to remain closed on Thursday. MNSSHP on Thursday is canceled. pic.twitter.com/TbMm3wwPKl
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) October 8, 2024
For the theme parks, we are looking at an unprecedented event. Disney World has not been directly struck by a hurricane’s center in its entire existence. If current models hold true, that could change over the next 48 hours.
We now anticipate the resort could experience wind gusts in excess of 100mph, sustained winds of 85mph, up to 10 inches of rain, and hurricane-level weather emergencies for many hours. Additionally, hurricanes can, and do, often spawn tornado activities.
A photo of Main Street USA in Walt Disney World via La Reina Creole YouTube
Although not yet announced, we expect that guests in campers / trailers at Disney’s Fort Wilderness campground will have their items moved to Magic Kingdom parking lot and they will be provided other lodging. We also anticipate that prepackaged meals will be provided to guests at the hotels and that they will be encouraged not to go outdoors during the passing of the hurricane.
Damage to the resort, as well as Universal Studios, could be significant. That Park Place hopes for good news for all of Florida. Those in the direction of the hurricane, however, should prepare for the worst and follow all life-saving precautions necessary to avoid harm. Our hearts go out to all impacted.
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