Walt Disney World is to close for only the tenth time in its history due to weather as a potentially catastrophic Hurricane Milton could bring devastation to one of the most visited tourist attraction in the world.
Walt Disney World today, Tuesday, October 8, 2024 has announced that the resort including its four theme parks it to suspend operations and close ahead of a potentially devastating hit from Hurricane Milton.
Hurricane Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes, with the National Hurricane Center warning that Milton poses a "extremely serious threat" to Florida with life-threatening impacts.
The fear is that the storm could slam into the Tampa Bay area before tearing through the I-4 corridor with the potential to bring hurricane force winds and extreme flooding rain to the heavily populated Central Florida including Walt Disney World.
With Central Florida under a Hurricane Warning and the potential impacts growing more dire by the hour, Walt Disney World has announced the following:
Walt Disney World Theme Parks
On Oct. 9, The four theme parks and Disney Springs will be closed in phases beginning at 1 p.m.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close at 1 p.m.
Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney Springs will close at 2 p.m.
It is likely the theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Disney will consider opening Disney Springs Thursday late afternoon with limited offerings.
The closure includes the cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom on Oct. 10. Event tickets will be refunded.
Disney Resort Hotel Closures
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will temporarily close beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9. They are likely to remain closed until Sunday, Oct. 13.
Transportation
Walt Disney World Transportation will stop operating Wednesday, Oct. 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.
Recreation
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Disney’s Blizzard Beach remains closed for planned refurbishment.
Reservations for Dining and Other Experiences
Effective immediately, we will not enforce cancellation policies until further notice for dining and other experiences.
Pre-paid bookable experiences will be automatically refunded within 7 to 10 business days.
Disney Resort and Room-Only Cancellation Policy for Reservations Booked Directly with Disney Destinations, LLC or The Walt Disney Travel Company:
Due to potential weather impacts to guest travel plans, change and cancellation fees imposed by Disney will be waived for check-in dates of Tuesday, 10/8 – Monday, 10/14.
Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates, without fees. Packages including air transportation or other services provided by third parties, or those with travel protection, cannot be modified or cancelled online. For Guests with these reservations, please call Disney Central for assistance.
Walt Disney World is not the only attraction to close ahead of Hurricane Milton, already Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, LEGOLAND Florida, The Orlando Eye, Gatorland and more have already announced closures.
Orlando International Airport is also closing, ceasing commercial operations at 9am on Wednesday, October 9.
Grocery stores are closing, including Publix with all Central Florida stores closing Tuesday, at 6pm, remaining closed until 6pm on Thursday.
As the situation becoming more dire, and Hurricane Milton continues to target Florida, state and local officials are warning residents that the time to prepare for the life-threatening storm is running out. Florida residents and visitors currently in the state should be finalizing preparations and action plans today,
This week's closure will only be the tenth time since Walt Disney World opened in 1971 that the resort has closed due to the threat of severe weather.
Hurricane Floyd: Closed early on September 14, 1999, through late afternoon September 15
Hurricane Charley: Closed early on August 13, 2004
Hurricane Frances: Closed on September 4 - 5, 2004
Hurricane Jeanne: Closed on September 26, 2004
Hurricane Matthew: Closed early on October 6, 2016, remained closed on October 7
Hurricane Irma: Closed early on September 9, 2017, remained closed on September 10 - 11
Hurricane Dorian: Closed early on September 3, 2019
Hurricane Ian: Closed September 28 - 29, 2022
Hurricane Nicole: Closed early November 9 through mid-day November 10, 2022
Walt Disney World also closed early on September 11, 2011, and the COVID-19 Pandemic forced the resort to close on March 15, 2020, with a gradual reopening beginning May 19, 2020,
We urge you to stay informed and stay safe as Hurricane Milton targets Florida.
Closures & Updates:
Emergency Info:
School Closure:
Shelter Locations:
Sandbag Locations:
Theme Parks & Attractions:
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