Hurricane Watch Issued for Walt Disney World as Category 1-2 Winds Expected from Hurricane Milton

4 hours ago in "Severe Weather impacts to Walt Disney World"

Forum Forums Tweet Share Tweet Share

Gallery / 5 Photos
Hurricane Milton

Posted: Monday October 7, 2024 11:28am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The National Weather Service has issued a Hurricane Watch for Orange and Osceola Counties, which includes the Walt Disney World Resort area, as Hurricane Milton intensifies and moves toward Florida.

The watch indicates that hurricane-force winds are possible within the next 48 hours, with the storm expected to bring dangerous conditions starting on Wednesday afternoon, October 9, 2024.

Hurricane Milton - October 7, 10am

Hurricane Milton's Latest Forecast

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Milton is forecasted to bring Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane-force winds to the region, with sustained winds between 60-80 mph and gusts reaching 95 mph. The most dangerous winds are expected to arrive on Wednesday evening and continue into early Thursday morning. This puts central Florida, including Walt Disney World, at risk for considerable wind damage.

Widespread power outages and communication disruptions are anticipated as large trees may be snapped or uprooted, and roadways could be blocked by debris.

Flooding Rain and Major Flood Risk

In addition to the wind threat, the area is also under a Flood Watch as Hurricane Milton is expected to bring 4-8 inches of rainfall, with locally higher amounts. This heavy rain could lead to major flooding, particularly in low-lying and urban areas.

Residents and visitors, including those at Walt Disney World, should be prepared for flooded roads, dangerous driving conditions, and possible evacuations. Rivers and streams may overflow, potentially impacting transportation routes. Those in flood-prone areas are urged to take protective measures now.

Tornado Potential

The Hurricane Watch also highlights a limited threat of tornadoes in the region. Although the likelihood is low, the conditions could be favorable for isolated tornadoes to form, which could further complicate emergency response efforts. Residents and visitors are advised to stay alert and be prepared to take shelter if a tornado warning is issued.

Preparations Underway at Walt Disney World

Guests staying at Walt Disney World should also be prepared for possible park closures or operational changes depending on the storm's trajectory and intensity. Disney is actively monitoring the situation and has already suspended theme park reservations for October 9, the day Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall.

Guide to Walt Disney World's Policy on Hurricane Cancellations and Refunds

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

LAKid532 minutes ago

My suggestion is to not cancel your resort reservation, but modify the dates by pushing them back so you're not less than 30 days from arrival. Then cancel.

celluloid2 minutes ago

Latest model shows the same uncertainty. This is likely how it is going to be until we are less than 30 hours out, and even then. If it takes any of the upper ones I don't see anywhere opening early by any means on Friday. Central FL will have so much debris and power outtage to assess.

monothingie6 minutes ago

You'll be fine. Frontier will give automatically give you FFC, but you may have to push them for a refund if you want it. For the hotel, you may want to start the process with the 3rd party booking site now, rather than after the fact based on the likely high volume of calls they will be or are getting for similar reasons.

celluloid7 minutes ago

Aww man. That is a tough one. Like you said it could go either way since they just stated morning so far. Definitely say afternoon is a no go as they have to deboard, prep and anchor planes and or ready them for departing elsewhere.

gerarar15 minutes ago

Yeah they haven't put out a time yet. My flight was due to land at 11:50am, which is cutting it close I'd imagine. And of course the closure could always move up depending on conditions.

celluloid16 minutes ago

I wonder if it is due to your flight landing time. MCO will close morning but not sure if I read what time yet.

gerarar17 minutes ago

I was supposed to be landing at MCO on Wednesday morning. But with the news of MCO ceasing operations soon, still awaiting for my flight to be officially cancelled by the airline so I can rebook a later date (or maybe cancel/refund). So far nothing, and Frontier customer support says that there is no further update yet, as if the flight is still a go-ahead on Wednesday.. Not too worried about my resort reservation (All Stars Music), despite booking with a third party site. There was no availability on WDW's website when I booked 2 months ago, so that was my only option. Can deal with that at a later time or just take the loss if I lose a couple days.. Original trip is Weds 10/9 thru Mon 10/14. Hoping for the best for everyone though! Would be a lie to say I'm not a bit stressed (more than G+ and VQs!); never been through cancellations/changes to my plans like this before!

Touchdown25 minutes ago

Still suprised they haven’t announced early closures tomorrow, TS winds could hit as soon as 8am Wed, ops needs time to hurricane ready the parks.

celluloid29 minutes ago

and with MCO and many other airports in FL closed...there won't be much traveling from the masses anyway.

lazyboy97o30 minutes ago

This is not correct. Wind-borne debris protection, which can be impact rated glazing or other protection like shutters, is only required in wind-borne debris regions. Only the eastern edges of Orange and Osceola counties are located in the wind-borne debris region. The wind-borne debris regions are places where the ultimate design wind speed for 3 second gusts is 140 mph or greater. Florida Building Code - Residential (Single Family) Figure R301.2(4) shows the wind-borne debris region Section R609.6 is the requirement for protection. Florida Building Code - Building (Multifamily, Hotels) Figure 1609.3(1) shows the Vult requirements for most buildings (Risk Category II). Some larger hotels may be Risk Category III shown in Figure 1609.3(2). Section 2407.1.4 is the requirements for glazing.

monothingie32 minutes ago

My guess is that they have a working plan for phased shutdown, but they want to time any announcements so that it will minimize the lost revenue from any potential unplanned and extended shutdown. (And I think it is optimistic thinking to expect that the parks will be open and ready a day or two after the storm passes.) In reality if Central Florida takes a pounding, there will be no realistic ability to open up the parks immediately after and there will be little to no desire by anyone to want to actually visit and stay there given the potential impacts in the surrounding areas.

celluloid45 minutes ago

The issue is(and not all problems can be solved but the reality) you do a half day Wedsnesday and the employees still have to get home. Many that work central live in the Tampa/Plant City/Lakeland areas. We know Weds is closed because they closed reservations for the parks. Thursday likely a late opening at their best wishes as they should be assessing the damage once the storm is done overnight. This is why now that Legoland announced theirs you will see Weds and Thurs WDW/UO/SWO closed. HHN Weds(of course)/Thurs likely closed as well. BGT just did theirs. Closed startings Tuesday tomorrow. It makes sense because they are closer to the coast being Tampa Bay and all, but also...I commend them for doing the right thing and giving Tuesday to the crew to prep and the rest to remain home and hopefully prep.

LSLS46 minutes ago

Honestly I'd guess because there are some real unknowns on this thing right now. How strong and when are still big question mark (though agree, I can't imagine Wed being anything but closed). I think as long as they make a decision tonight, it's not a huge deal.

celluloid47 minutes ago

Someone ealrier asked if the storm was going to be similar to Irma in its hit. Milton is coming from the gulf and is currently at a Cat 5, as Irma was for a record breaking 3 days. This will be similar. Milton is also on its way to possibly do this if it does not weaken, but even more to note perhaps is that it is at 914 pressure. Lower the millibars the more organized and stronger the storm. That is why to me this thing is far similar to Charley. Hope the October air and water help weaken it.