Hurricane Helene has made landfall into Florida's Big Bend region as a catastrophic storm, lashing the region with devastating wind and a massive storm surge, locally here in Central Florida we will keep you up to date with current closures, operational information, and updates from the theme parks and attractions.
Hurricane Helene is the eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Here we will provide updates and information on the massive storm and the impacts that it is having in Central Florida.
Check back often for the latest updates and information on closures and updates on operations from Central Florida's Theme Parks, Attractions, and Water Parks.
Theme Park & Attraction Closures And Updates
With severe weather expected here in Central Florida on Thursday. and the entire area including Walt Disney World under a Tropical Storm Warning, Walt Disney World has made alterations to its operations on Thursday, Sept. 26.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is canceled Thursday, Sept. 26. Guest tickets will be refunded. While Magic Kingdom was scheduled to close tomorrow at 6 pm, the park will now open until 8 pm.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon will be closed Thursday, September 26, for Hurricane Helene, and is currently scheduled to reopen at 10 am. on Friday, September 27.
Fantasia Gardens and Fairways and Winter Summerland
Fantasia Gardens and Fairways and Winter Summerland miniature golf courses will be closed on Thursday, September 26.
Tours and Enchanting Extras Collection
Walt Disney World has cancelled the following experiences on Thursday, September 26.
Savor the Savanna
Up Close with Rhinos
Walking with Giants
Wild Africa Trek
Walt Disney World Severe Weather Policy
If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area — or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort hotel packages and most room-only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney. Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or canceled online, including changes to travel dates.
If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation—such as air transportation, hotels, car rental agencies or travel insurance companies—you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences. For more information: click here.
Due to Hurricane Helene, Universal Orlando Resort is making the following operational changes for Thursday, Sept. 26:
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida is canceled.
Universal Volcano Bay is closed.
Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure will close at their regularly scheduled times – with Universal Studios closing at 5 pm and Islands of Adventure closing at 8 pm
Universal CityWalk will close early at 8 pm
Hotels remain operational as they focus on taking care of our guests.
Universal anticipate a full reopening of the resort including Halloween Horror Nights on Friday, Sept. 27.
Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations Severe Weather Policy
In the event that a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center or a state of emergency is declared for the Orlando area or in your place of residence, within seven days of your arrival, you can contact Universal in advance to reschedule or cancel your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations Package, hotel room only accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets booked directly with Universal Orlando, without any cancellation or change fees imposed.
If you have purchased airline tickets as part of your Universal Parks and Resorts Vacations package, you may still be subject to cancellation and change fees assessed by those airlines
.If you have purchased Universal Orlando products and services through third-party suppliers, travel agents or tour operators please contact them directly for information regarding their cancellation or change policies and procedures.
The policy does not apply to certain special events, dining experiences or group related bookings.We want you to feel safe and will work with you directly to best accommodate your needs.
If you have additional questions or need to change or cancel your travel plans, please contact a member of the Universal Guest Contact Center team by calling 800-711-0080. For more information and FAQs, visit here.
Precautions are in place following the park’s comprehensive weather preparedness plan to ensure the safety of all animals and ambassadors during this time. SeaWorld will continue to monitor the storm and guests are encouraged to check back for updates. Stay tuned for more updates regarding park reopening.
Following the latest updates on Hurricane Helene, here is the latest information on each parks:
SeaWorld Orlando
Due to the projected path of Hurricane Helene, SeaWorld Orlando will be closing at 2 pm. on Thursday, September 26 and plan to reopen on Friday, September 27 at 10 am.
Aquatica Orlando
Aquatica Orlando Water Park will be closed on Thursday, September 26. Normal operations will resume on Friday, September 27.
All date-intended tickets for closure days have been extended through September 30, 2024 and requires no action to be taken.
Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove will be closed on Thursday, September 26. Normal operations will resume on Friday, September 27.
The Guest Services team is prepared to assist you with shifting your date to a surrounding date., you should email dco-guestrelations@discoverycove.com. Include your reservation number and “Hurricane rebooking” in the subject line of the email.
Due to the possibility for life-threatening weather conditions Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has taken the decision to temporarily close ahead of the storm.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will be closed Thursday, September 26 to ensure the safety of their ambassadors, guests and animals, at this time no reopening date has been announced.
Adventure Island
Adventure Island Water Park will be closed on Thursday, September 26. Normal operations will resume on Friday, September 27.
The Orlando Eye at ICON Park Orlando will be closed Thursday, Spetember 26 as Central Florida braces for severe weather due to impacts from Hurricane Helene.
Harry P. Leu Gardens will be closed on Thursday, September 26, 2024 due to Hurricane Helene.
The museum will be closed tSeptember 26, due to the incoming storm.
Barring any travel advisories and restrictions from the Emergency Operations Center, Orlando Science Center will offer break camp for students in grades K-5 on Thursday, September 26, since schools in Orange County are closed due to Hurricane Helene.
Guests need to register in advance. Non-members can reserve a spot for $145, and Members can reserve a spot for $135. Walk-ups will be accepted based on availability. Sign up here.
OSC will be open to guests from 10 am - 5 pm.
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens will remain closed on Thursday, September 26 due to predicted severe weather as a result of Tropical Storm Helene. The zoo say that they plan to reopen for regular business hours at 9 am. on Friday, September 27.
Also, the previously-scheduled Lemurs of Madagascar event Thursday has been cancelled, together with Friday evening's Sunset at the Zoo event has been postponed to a later date of Thursday, October 10. Ticket holders will be contacted soon wth details on the rescheduled event.
The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey will be closed September 26, following local guidelines as Hurricane Helene moves through. They plan to re-open Friday but will share an update if that changes.
The Lonely Dog Immersive Experience, located on International Drive in Orlando, will be closed today, Thursday, September 26, due to Hurricane Helene. They are expected to reopen tomorrow, Friday, September 27 at 12 pm.
Mennello Museum of American Art will be closed September 26, 2024
Orange County Regional History museum will remain closed on Thursday, September 26.
All library locations will be closed Thursday, September 26, due to Tropical Storm Helene. They plan to open for regular business hours on Friday, September 27.
In preparation for potential impacts from Hurricane Helene, Rollins will close on Thursday, September 26. It is anticipated that normal operations will resume on Friday, September 27.
At this time, park operations and hours are continuing as normal. The resort is closely monitoring the weather. Please check back for updates.
Due to the storm, the Morse Museum will be closed Wednesday, September 25, at noon and remain closed through Thursday, September 26. Regular hours will resume as soon as public safety can be assured.
Due to the incoming severe weather predicted to impact the Tampa Bay Area by Hurricane Helene, ZooTampa will be closed on Thursday, September 26.
As hurricane Helene path moves towards Florida, the zoo has commenced initial preparations. Additional precautions will be taken in the next 24 hours to ensure the security of all animals, including moving larger animals into their night houses, which are built to withstand major storms, and smaller mammals and birds into ancillary buildings.
The zoo is currently planning to resume normal park operations on Friday (including the Creatures of the Night member preview event) following a thorough safety assessment of the entire Zoo.
Bok Tower Gardens will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26. It will reopen with normal operations on Friday, Sept. 26 at 8 am pending no storm-related damage.
In an abundance of caution, Brevard Zoo will be closed on Thursday, September 26, as our state prepares for Hurricane Helene. They plan to reopen on Friday, September 27, pending any possible damage.
Ahead of Hurricane Helene, Clearwater Marine Aquarium will be closed on Thursday, September 26 until further notice. Their teams are diligently preparing the facility in order to protect the animals and building from the storm. Generators are ready, food has been prepared, and a hurricane ride-out team is in place!
Due to the potential impacts of Hurricane Helene, we will be closed to the public on Thursday, September 26 and plan to reopen at 9:30 am on Friday, September 27.
Here at Gotta Go Orlando we will continue to moniter the latest from Central Florida theme parks, and attractions, bringing you the latest updates.
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