In anticipation of Hurricane Milton's approach, Walt Disney World Resort has announced theme park closures for Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
As the storm is expected to bring dangerous winds, heavy rain, and potential flooding to the central Florida area, the resort is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of its guests and Cast Members. Disney said in a statement, "The Walt Disney World Emergency Operations Center is connected to weather experts and community leaders. Please know these adjustments have been made in order to leave plenty of time for our Guests and Cast Members to return to their Resort hotels or homes safely hours before higher winds are expected to reach Central Florida."
Disney Park Closure Schedule for October 9, 2024
Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios will close at 1 pm on Wednesday.
Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs will close at 2 pm.
Potential Additional Closures on October 10
While official announcements for October 10 are pending, it is likely that Walt Disney World theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, as Hurricane Milton moves across the state. As part of the closures, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party scheduled for Thursday, October 10, at Magic Kingdom has been canceled. Guests with tickets for the event will automatically receive refunds.
Disney says that it may consider opening Disney Springs on Thursday in the late afternoon, with limited offerings.
Disney Transportation and Resort Services
- Walt Disney World Transportation will cease operations after the parks and Disney Springs close on Wednesday, October 9. Guests staying on property are encouraged to plan accordingly.
- Limited Minnie Van and Mears taxi services will still be available for Walt Disney World Resort Guests, but availability may be restricted.
Additional Closures
- Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will also be closed on Wednesday, October 9.
- Disney's Blizzard Beach remains closed for planned refurbishment.
Dining and Experience Cancellations
To accommodate the disruptions caused by the hurricane, Disney has announced that it will not enforce cancellation policies for dining and other booked experiences until further notice. Pre-paid bookable experiences will be automatically refunded within 7 to 10 business days.
Resort Closure Details
In addition to the theme park closures, Walt Disney World had previously announced the closure of the following resort locations due to the storm:
- Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Copper Creek Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
- Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
These resort locations will temporarily close at 11 am on Wednesday, October 9, with Fort Wilderness and the Treehouse Villas expected to remain closed until Sunday, October 13. The Copper Creek Cabins are anticipated to reopen on Friday, October 11.
What Guests Should Know
Guests with theme park tickets for October 9 are encouraged to check the My Disney Experience app or contact Walt Disney World guest services for updates regarding ticket refunds, rescheduling, or any potential park reopening times based on the storm's impact.
Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels should be aware that Disney's resort hotels will remain operational, with safety measures in place for those staying on property. However, resort activities may be limited due to the weather.
Hurricane Milton: Latest Update
As of the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Milton remains a powerful Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 155 mph. The storm is expected to make landfall on Florida's west-central coast late on Wednesday night, before moving across central Florida, including the Orlando area, into Thursday.
The NHC has issued a Hurricane Warning for parts of central Florida, including areas surrounding Walt Disney World. The storm is expected to bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, and the potential for flash flooding.
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