Walt Disney World continues to make preperations as Tropical Storm Milton continues to intensify and target Florida's West Coast as a major hurricane, bringing severe weather to Central Florida's tourist districts on Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Milton formed on Saturday afternoon, October 6, and is expected to rapidly intensify into a hurricane by Sunday evening, October 7, before making landfall on Florida on Wednesday, October 9 as a major category 3 or higher hurricane.
The storm is forecast to bring the risk of life-threatening impacts to the west coast of Florida, with the potential to tear through the I-4 corridor including Orlando.
As residents and visitors are being urged to ready their hurricane preparedness kit and plan now, Walt Disney World has started making operational plans behind the scenes.
On Saturday evening, the resort paused hotel reservations for Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10.
Walt Disney World typically pause hotel reservations during the threat of a major storm to ensure they have accommodations for Cast Members to support the guests who already have reservations and will be riding out the storm in the resort.
The Cast Members staying on-site during a storm are typically known as the "ride-out crew", these Cast Members will ensure the comfort and safety of guests staying within the resort hotels.
The latest news from the resort is that it is looking likely that Walt Disney World will close its theme parks on Wednesday, October 9 if the forecast path of the storm remains as it is now.
Disney Park Pass theme park reservations are no longer available for Wednesday, October 9 at any of the four Walt Disney World theme parks.
Theme park reservations are blocked for everyone, including Annual Passholders and regular ticket holders who are required to make reservations in advance.
While no restrictions have been officially announced as yet for Walt Disney World, resort officials are closely monitoring the storm, and guests can expect updates in the hours and days ahaead.
Milton's latest path has the storm tracking south of Tampa, but it is still expected to rip into Florida as a major Category 3, 4 or possibly 5 hurricane, bringing damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge and torrential rain.
Here in Central Florida, current models show strong to damaging winds, flooding and tornadoes affecting the entire area, including the tourist areas of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, International Drive and more.
Well in advance of the storm, waves of heavy rain are forecast beginning today, Sunday, especially in Central and South Florida.
The National Hurricane Center is concerned about the potential impacts this storm couild bring to Florida in the coming week, with the agency commenting, "Regardless of the exact details of the intensity forecast, an intense hurricane with multiple life-threatening hazards is likely to affect the west coast of the Florida Peninsula next week."
Ahead of the storm developing, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 35 of Florida's 67 counties.
The following counties are under a state of emergency:
Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia.
Here at Gotta Go Orlando we will keep you updated on the latest news as this dangerous storm targets Central Florida.
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