Idalia now a hurricane, what it means for those at Disney World

Idalia was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane this morning as it churns its way to the western shore of Florida and is forecast to become a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall on the Florida Gul Coast.

As of 8 a.m., Idalia was 135 miles west-southwest of the western tip of Cuba and 320 miles south-southwest of Tampa. Idalia had winds of 80 mph and was moving north at 14 mph, according to the Naitonal Hurricane Center.

There is a danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation along portions of the Florida Gulf Coast where a Storm Surge Warning is in effect, including Tampa Bay and the Big Bend region of Florida. Impact from the storm will start to be felt Tuesday night with the major impacts being felt Wednesday during the day.

Inundation of 8 to 12 feet above ground level is expected somewhere between Chassahowitzka and Aucilla River. Residents in these areas should follow any advice given by local officials.

The Orlando area and Disney World will still feel the impact from the storm. Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating under normal conditions, as of 9 a.m. Tuesday. “We are closely monitoring the path of the projected weather as we continue to prioritize the safety of our Guests and Cast Members,” according to Disney.

Guests staying at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground: are being asked to remove and stow all outside items, including tents and décor, and take in camper awnings by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 29, according to Disney.

Disney has waive its change and cancellation fees for check-in dates of August 28, 2023 through September 4, 2023.

“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 Package and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney. If you booked directly with a Travel Agent, please contact the Agent or Tour Operator for assistance. For Guests who booked on disneyworld.com or booked directly by calling Disney, most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates,” according to Disney.

At this point, the Disney World area, Orange and Osceola counties, are under a Tropical Storm Warning, which means peak winds are forecast for 20 to 30 mph with wind gusts to 40 mph.

According to the National Weather Service: Showers and squalls associated with outer rain bands from Idalia should reach central Florida later today, with conditions deteriorating further tonight and Wednesday as Idalia accelerates north-northeastward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The possibility of strong to damaging wind gusts in squalls will increase as tropical storm force winds extend well east of the storm`s center. Based on the current forecast track, Idalia will make its closest pass to east-central Florida late tonight and early Wednesday morning, continuing northeastward during the day on Wednesday. Wednesday will be a windy day, even outside of squalls. While the heaviest rainfall from Idalia is currently forecast to fall along the Gulf Coast and western Florida Peninsula, gusty squalls will be capable of torrential downpours, beginning today and continuing into Wednesday.

Updates on the storm will be posted throughout the day.