Walt Disney World has announced that its theme parks and Disney Springs will remain closed throughout Thursday as Hurricane Milton continues to impact Central Florida. This decision extends the previously announced closures and confirms the “likely” closures of the parks and Disney Springs that Disney initially announced.
Extended Closure Details
Disney’s announcement affects the following locations:
- Magic Kingdom
- EPCOT
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Disney Springs
These venues will remain closed all day Thursday, October 10, 2024. Disney has not yet announced plans for Friday, stating they will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as conditions evolve.
Disney has also stated that Minnie Van Service will cease as of 4:00pm today, Wednesday October 9th.
Impact on Resort Hotels and Other Facilities
While the theme parks and Disney Springs are closed, Disney Resort hotels remain open for guests. However, several other Disney World facilities have been affected by the hurricane:
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park is closed
- Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf are closed
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa remain temporarily closed
These closures are in addition to the previously announced operational changes, which included the cancellation of Thursday’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom.
Guest Information and Refunds
Disney has stated that it will not enforce cancellation policies for dining and other experiences during this time. Guests with pre-paid reservations for affected dates will be automatically refunded within 7-10 business days.
Hurricane Milton’s Impact on Central Florida
Hurricane Milton has proven to be a formidable storm, causing widespread disruption across the state. The decision to keep Disney World closed for an extended period underscores the seriousness of the situation. Other major theme parks in the area, including Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando, have also announced closures in response to the hurricane.
The storm’s effects are expected to continue through Thursday, with the potential for damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding in many parts of Central Florida. Residents and visitors are urged to follow local authorities’ guidance and stay informed about weather conditions.
Looking Ahead
As Central Florida begins to assess the impact of Hurricane Milton, Disney World will be working to ensure its facilities are safe and ready to welcome guests back. The resort has extensive experience dealing with severe weather events and typically aims to resume operations as quickly as possible once conditions improve.
Stay tuned to MainGatePass.com for continued updates. Always refer to local authorities for guidance on storm preparations and evacuations.
