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 received’t reopen till after the storm passes Orlando. Moreover, there are different closures, modifications, and cancellations by means of at the least Friday, October 10, 2024. This submit supplies a rundown of all operational updates to Central Florida sights.
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 night time, and transfer throughout central Florida by means 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 saying closures.
As of two p.m. on October 8, the Nationwide Hurricane Heart acknowledged 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 prime of its wind scale, and one of the vital damaging hurricanes on report 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 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 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 seemingly that each 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 shocked if some third celebration 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.
At present, 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 friends, so that would occur on October 10 if Hurricane Milton passes rapidly 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 night time for resort friends, 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 very good comfort prize, too.
It’ll be fascinating 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 received’t need to cancel, nevertheless it may 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.)
At any time when the parks do reopen, don’t be shocked if sure sights don’t reopen instantly. Something with loads of timber is an apparent candidate for a chronic closure. If I recall appropriately, it took Jungle Cruise a few days after Hurricane Irma to reopen.
It may be the same story with trails and sights 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 received’t be an enormous sense of urgency to get that space reopened because it’s much less widespread.
Exterior the parks, there may be resorts which are out of fee totally or have areas closed off as a consequence of downed timber. Fort Wilderness is the obvious instance, however not the one one–many resorts have loads of timber. It’s the same story with the Port Orleans Resorts, Wilderness Lodge, and so forth.
Together with this, the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together scheduled for Thursday, October 10 is cancelled. Company with pre-purchased celebration tickets for this celebration will robotically obtain a full refund for the occasion tickets.
Word: Experiences we’ve heard about transferring Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together tickets to a distinct offered out date had 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 friends 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 could range.
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 might be out there to Walt Disney World Resort Company.
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 might be robotically refunded inside 7 to 10 enterprise days.
Recreation – Disney’s Storm Lagoon water park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf might be closed on Wednesday, October 9. Disney’s Blizzard Seaside water park stays closed for deliberate refurbishment.
There aren’t any occasions deliberate for ESPN Extensive World of Sports activities Complicated 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 seemingly reopen on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue performances have been canceled October 9-10 in mild of the momentary closure of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Company with pre-paid reservations might be robotically 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 modifications and cancellations with no penalties for friends 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, in case you booked by means of Walt Disney World instantly–both by cellphone or Disneyworld.com–you’re eligible. Similar goes for reservations booked by way of an Licensed Disney Trip Planner or journey agent.)
Most space-only and trip packages might be modified, or cancelled on-line, together with modifications to journey dates, with out charges. Packages together with air transportation or different companies 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 occasions.)
Attributable to Hurricane Milton, Common Orlando Resort is making the next operational modifications for Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10, 2024:
- On Wednesday, Common Studios Florida, Islands of Journey and Common CityWalk might be open till 2 p.m. and might be closed all-day on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
- Common Volcano Bay might 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 give attention to caring for friends.
Word 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 end result of storm impacts.
Elsewhere round Central Florida, LEGOLAND Florida Resort might be closed Wednesday and Thursday as a consequence of Hurricane Milton. This closure additionally consists of Peppa Pig Theme Park.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort might be OPEN in a restricted capability, together with to friends with present 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 might 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 modifications at the moment. Please test social media for updates relating to park opening on Friday, October 11.
- SeaWorld Orlando stays OPEN on Tuesday, October eighth. SeaWorld Orlando might be CLOSED on Wednesday, October ninth and Thursday, October tenth.
- Aquatica Orlando stays OPEN on Tuesday, October eighth. Aquatica might 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 protection of animals and ambassadors throughout this time. Company are inspired to test again on our web site and observe our social media channels for updates. Keep tuned for data relating to reopening following the storm on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Orlando Worldwide Airport introduced that it’ll 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 simply accept emergency/help and reduction flights as mandatory.
At present, MCO is anticipated to renew operations on Friday, after assessing all harm to airport property and amenities. Orlando Worldwide Airport notes the time for the reopening is “fluid” and topic to vary. 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 mandatory.
We don’t have a lot so as to add right here. Hurricane Milton is at the moment a serious Class 4 system, and is more likely to make landfall south of Tampa Bay on Wednesday night time with a path taking it proper by means of Central Florida on Thursday–instantly 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 significantly, on your personal sake and that of Solid Members and different friends. As correct as storm forecasting has turn out to be, it’s nonetheless not 100% sure. It’s solely applicable for Walt Disney World to prioritize human life and security, erring on the facet of warning and shutting the parks, relocating friends, and canceling leisure. Right here’s hoping this passes rapidly and with minimal harm and hurt, and Walt Disney World can resume regular operations on October 11, 2024. We’ll hold you posted both means!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Inns Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel take 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, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every little thing you want to know!
Your Ideas
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