Walt Disney World Resort has announced park closures and other operational modifications due to Hurricane Milton. The storm is currently a category 4 hurricane with winds of 155mph. Severe impacts are expected throughout the Central Florida area as a result of the system.
Walt Disney World Theme Parks Closing
All four Walt Disney World theme parks will be closing early on Wednesday, October 9th. Their closing times are as follows:
- Magic Kingdom – 2:00pm
- EPCOT – 2:00pm
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios – 1:00pm
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom – 1:00pm
The Disney Springs shopping and dining area will also be closing at 2:00pm on Wednesday.
In addition to the early closures on Wednesday, Disney says it is “likely” all four Walt Disney World theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, October 10th. Disney Springs may open later in the day on Thursday, with limited offerings, if conditions permit.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been cancelled for Thursday, October 10th.
Walt Disney World Transportation will cease operations on Wednesday, October 9, following the closure of Disney Springs and the Walt Disney World theme parks. However, limited Minnie Van and Mears taxi service will still be available for Walt Disney World Resort guests who need transportation during this time.
In addition to the transportation changes, Disney has also announced that they will not enforce cancellation policies for dining and other experiences until further notice. This means that guests who have made reservations for meals or other activities will not be penalized if they need to cancel due to the hurricane. Furthermore, any pre-paid bookable experiences will be automatically refunded within 7 to 10 business days.
Other Disney World Closures
On Sunday, Walt Disney World restricted the booking of park reservations for Wednesday ahead of Hurricane Milton’s arrival. Later in the day, dining reservations were also suspended for Wednesday. Dining reservations were since suspended for Thursday, too, in anticipation of potential closures.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park will be closed both Wednesday and Thursday, along with both of the resort’s miniature golf courses. These closures are precautionary measures due to the anticipated severe weather conditions. Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park remains closed for its annual refurbishment.
Additionally, Orlando International Airport (MCO) is suspending operations starting Wednesday.
Hurricane Milton’s Projected Path
Currently, Hurricane Milton is projected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida near Tampa Bay and track towards the Orlando area. From there, it is expected to quickly move off into the Atlantic Ocean.
Potential Impacts from Hurricane Milton
With the Orlando area in the forecasted path of the storm, guests should prepare for:
- Dangerous winds Wednesday into Thursday
- Heavy rainfall throughout the week, especially as the storm makes landfall
- Possible flooding in low-lying areas
Beyond those who are currently in the Orlando area, anyone traveling in or through the area should exercise extreme caution. The impacts of Hurricane Milton will be widespread around the Central Florida area.
Updates on Disney World Parks Closing and Storm Effects
Visitors planning trips to Walt Disney World in the coming days should:
- Keep an eye on official Disney communication channels
- Monitor local weather reports
- Be prepared for potential last-minute changes
Stay tuned to MainGatePass.com for continued updates. Always refer to local authorities for guidance on storm preparations and evacuations.
