As the state of Florida braces for Hurricane Milton to make landfall, Disney World announces closures at its parks and surrounding areas.
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In an announcement, the Walt Disney Company stated that on Wednesday, Oct. 9, its Disney World parks and Disney Spring will close in phases beginning at 1:00 p.m. local time. Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks will close at 1:00 p.m. while Disney’s Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs will close at 2:00 p.m.
“It is likely the theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, October 10,” the statement continues. “We will consider opening Disney Springs on Thursday in the late afternoon, with limited offerings.”
The Walt Disney Company further pointed out that the closures include canceling Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Park at Magic Kingdom on Thursday, Oct. 10. Event tickets will be refunded.
Along with the park closures, the Walt Disney Company shared that Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will temporarily close beginning at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 9.
Walt Disney World Transportation will also cease operations on Wednesday, October 9 after Disney Springs and the Walt Disney World theme parks close. Limited Minnie Van and Mears taxi service will be available to Walt Disney World Resort Guests during closures.
The Walt Disney Company then stated that Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10.
In regards to dining and other experiences, the Walt Disney Company shared, “Effective immediately, we will not enforce cancellation policies until further notice for dining and other experiences. Prepaid bookable experiences will be automatically refunded within 7 to 10 business days.”
Disney World’s Competitor Universal Studios Orlando Makes Similar Hurricane Milton Closure Announcement
Along with Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando announced plans to close its theme park during Hurricane Milton.
On its website, Universal Studios Orlando announced that on Wednesday, Oct. 9, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk will be open until 2 p.m. and will be closed on Thursday, Oct. 10. The theme park noted that hours of operations are subject to change based on forecast alterations. Some attractions and experiences may be limited on Wednesday while the park prepares for the early closure.
Universal Volcano Bay will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 10. Halloween Horror Nights At Universal Studios Florida is also canceled for Wednesday and Thursday. The park’s hotels will remain operational as each focuses on taking care of the guests.
“We anticipate a full reopening of our destination, including Halloween Horror Nights, on Friday, Oct. 11,” the amusement park states. “At our normal operating hours pending the outcome of storm impacts.”
It was further noted that guests with tickets to visit Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure on Thursday, Oct. 10 – or Universal Volcano Bay on Wednesday, Oct. 9 or Thursday, Oct. 10 – will be able to use their tickets to visit any day through Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.