Hurricane Milton: When Disney World and other theme parks are closing

Disney World and Universal Orlando will close their theme parks today as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida. Other theme parks in Orlando have already closed for the next two days.

As of 8 a.m. today (Oct. 9), Hurricane Milton is a Category 4 storm in the Gulf of Mexico. It is predicted to make landfall along the west-central coast of Florida late tonight or early Thursday morning and move off the east coast of Florida over the western Atlantic Ocean Thursday afternoon. This path could affect Hurricane Milton’s impact on Disney World.

Rainfall directly associated with Hurricane Milton will increase in coverage and intensity through the day Wednesday and into the night, as rainbands reach east central Florida. Significant rainfall and flash flooding potential will develop into Thursday morning, especially near and along the I-4 corridor and the Greater Orlando area, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service forecasts between 6 and 12 inches of rainfall across east central Florida, with a swath of 10 to 15 inches possible along the I-4 corridor. Farther south, the forecast calls for 3 to 6 inches of rain.

By tonight, wind gusts will become tropical storm force, and overnight, winds will strengthen to tropical storm force with gusts to hurricane force along Milton`s path. A swath of sustained hurricane-force winds is possible near the center of the storm. Disney World is taking these weather changes seriously.

Disney World Closures

Walt Disney World Theme Parks: Today, Oct. 9, theme parks and Disney Springs will be closed in phases beginning at 1 p.m. due to Hurricane Milton’s approach.

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will close at 1 p.m.
• Magic Kingdom park, EPCOT and Disney Springs will close at 2 p.m.

It is likely the theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, October 10. Disney will consider opening Disney Springs on Thursday in the late afternoon, with limited offerings.

This includes the cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom park on Thursday, 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. today, Oct. 9. They are likely to remain closed until Sunday, Oct. 13. Other resorts remain open to assist guests. Here are some tips if you are riding out the storm at Disney during Hurricane Milton.

Transportation: Walt Disney World Transportation will stop operating today, 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 water park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed today, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10. Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park remains closed for planned refurbishment. There are no events planned for ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex until the weekend.

Reservations for Dining and Other Experiences: Disney is not enforcing cancellation policies until further notice for dining and other experiences. Prepaid bookable experiences will be automatically refunded within 7 to 10 business days. The impact of Hurricane Milton on Disney World will be assessed continually.

Universal Orlando Closures

Today, Oct. 9, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk will be open until 2 p.m. and will be closed on Thursday, Oct. 10 due to Hurricane Milton.

Universal Volcano Bay will be closed today, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida is canceled for today, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.

Hotels remain operational as they focus on taking care of our guests.

Other Theme Parks

Busch Gardens Tampa is closed today, Oct. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 10. Howl-O-Scream is canceled for Thursday, Oct. 10. Tickets may be used for any remaining Howl-O-Scream event nights.

SeaWorld Orlando is closed today, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10. The closures are in response to Hurricane Milton’s approaching impact near Disney World and beyond.

Aquatica Orlando is closed today, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.

Discovery Cove is closed today, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.