As Hurricane Milton intensifies in the Gulf of Mexico and nears Florida, Orlando’s theme parks are closely monitoring the storm and adjusting their operations accordingly.
As of early Tuesday evening, Milton had strengthened once again from a Category 4 to a Category 5 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Must-Have Amazon Finds You Need To Buy Right Now!
The National Hurricane Center advised that “fluctuations in intensity are likely as Milton moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico, but it is expected to remain a dangerous major hurricane when it reaches Florida’s west-central coast on Wednesday night.”
This storm follows closely after Hurricane Helene, which struck Florida’s Big Bend region just under two weeks ago as a Category 4 hurricane, resulting in the deaths of over 230 people.
Top 10 Essentials To Survive a Hurricane
Stay updated here to see which theme parks will be open, closed, or otherwise affected by Hurricane Milton.
Walt Disney World Resort announced Tuesday afternoon that its theme parks and Disney Springs will begin phased closures on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Starting at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Disney will close Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, followed by Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs at 2 p.m. ET. Transportation services at Walt Disney World will also cease after the parks and Disney Springs close.
“Theme parks will likely remain closed on Thursday, Oct. 10. However, we may consider reopening Disney Springs on Thursday afternoon with limited operations,” Disney shared on its website.
Additionally, the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 10, at Magic Kingdom has been canceled, with refunds being issued for event tickets.
Disney also announced that Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will temporarily close starting at 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday. These closures are expected to last until Sunday, Oct. 13.
Furthermore, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on both Wednesday and Thursday, as per Disney’s statement.
Universal Orlando announced on Tuesday that it will remain open until 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 9, before closing Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk on Thursday, Oct. 10.
In addition, Universal has canceled its Halloween Horror Nights event at Universal Studios Florida and will fully close Universal Volcano Bay on both Wednesday and Thursday.
“Our hotels will continue to operate, with staff focused on ensuring the comfort and safety of our guests,” Universal stated on its website.
Universal Orlando plans to reopen its parks by Friday, Oct. 11.
