Hurricane Milton Update: Walt Disney World Advises Resort Guests to Shelter Indoors

Oct 10, 2024 in "Severe Weather impacts to Walt Disney World"

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Posted: Thursday October 10, 2024 8:30am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

As Hurricane Milton continues its east-northeast trajectory away from Florida, Walt Disney World has issued a new operational update this morning, urging resort hotel guests to remain indoors while the storm’s impact is assessed. The latest advisory from the National Weather Service highlights the ongoing threat of strong winds, heavy rain, and flash flooding in the area.

Walt Disney World Operational Update (Thursday, October 10, 2024, 7:30 am ET)

Walt Disney World Resort has asked all resort hotel guests to continue sheltering inside their rooms as the resort assesses the damage and safety conditions post-storm. The safety of guests and Cast Members remains the top priority, and additional information will be provided when it is deemed safe to go outdoors.

Resort guests are advised to monitor the My Disney Experience app and other official channels for further instructions.

Hurricane Milton Update

At 8:00 am EDT, the National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Milton was located about 75 miles east-northeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. Milton, now a Category 1 hurricane, is steadily moving away from the Florida coast at 18 mph and is expected to weaken as it heads into the Atlantic Ocean later today.

Although Milton is pulling away from Florida, the storm’s outer bands are still producing strong winds and heavy rainfall near the Space Coast, with wind gusts of up to 76 mph being reported at Marineland and Cocoa-Patrick Air Force Base.

Weather Conditions and Warnings

Hurricane warnings remain in effect for parts of east-central Florida, including areas near Sebastian Inlet and up the coast to Altamaha Sound, Georgia. In addition to hurricane-force winds, a storm surge warning has been issued for the same area, with water levels expected to rise 3-5 feet above normal levels. The St. Johns River is also under a storm surge warning, with the potential for 2-4 feet of flooding along its banks.

Tropical storm conditions are also being experienced across parts of Georgia, South Carolina, and the northwestern Bahamas.

Rainfall and Flash Flood Risk

As Hurricane Milton continues to move away from Florida, additional rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches are expected along portions of the east-central and northeast Florida coast through this morning. This rainfall increases the risk of flash flooding, particularly in urban areas, and could exacerbate river flooding in already swollen waterways.

Significant rainfall has already led to flash flooding in parts of Orlando and surrounding areas, including regions near Walt Disney World.

Guests are advised to avoid traveling through any flooded areas and follow all local safety instructions.

Walt Disney World guests should continue to stay indoors and monitor official communications for updates on when it will be safe to move around the resort. Resort dining and in-room services are available, and Disney is working to ensure guests remain safe and comfortable during this time.

Theme Parks and Disney Springs to Remain Closed on Thursday, October 10

Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs will remain closed throughout Thursday, October 10, as Hurricane Milton is expected to pass through central Florida. This closure includes all four major parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Canceled

The Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, scheduled for Thursday, October 10, has been canceled. Guests who purchased tickets for the event will receive automatic refunds.

Multi-Day Ticket Expiration Adjustments

For guests with partially used multi-day tickets, Walt Disney World is making accommodations by extending the ticket expiration dates. These tickets will now expire on October 11, 2025.

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LilofanOct 19, 2024

Once Oscar crosses Cuba on Mon/Tue forecasters will be seeing if Oscar makes a northern turn up the Gulf, wait and see.

VacationeerOct 19, 2024

What’s up with this Oscar Hurricane. Little chance of making a Florida run?

donaldtooOct 18, 2024

I, personally, am not keeping a scorecard on who or who hasn’t donated what…that’s their business, not mine, and yet another thing I’m not losing sleep over. It’s just that millions upon millions of dollars to me is unfathomable. I have no more words… :cyclops:

LilofanOct 17, 2024

Even if TWDC donated millions more a few will still critic it wasn't enough or why execs don't personally donate. Disney isn't the only company meeting this feedback.

plutofan15Oct 17, 2024

I am well aware of what you were referring to. I am not defending or criticizing the man. A person has the right to do whatever he or she wants to do with their money. If making it public makes you feel better, that's on you not the individual. For the record, I do not agree with more decisions the company has made recently than I agree with. For whatever that is worth.

Figgy1Oct 17, 2024

With how upset the latest cash grabs have made people, maybe he should and I was talking about how 2 individuals have equaled or exceeded the corporate donation

plutofan15Oct 17, 2024

And yet nobody knows whether Iger has donated or has not donated. Not everybody makes their charitable donations public. Just saying.

LilofanOct 17, 2024

It won't change the haters that still hate Bob...

Figgy1Oct 17, 2024

Dolly Parton 3 million, Taylor Swift 5 million. Just saying

donaldtooOct 17, 2024

His net worth is estimated at over $700 million, so maybe he could chip in a few million more…? I’m not one of those that hate rich people, and, ultimately, it’s none of my business what they do with their money, but $700 million and you can’t donate a few million here and there from time to time…?! It’s not like he’s a spring chicken, and, as they say, you can’t take it with you…!!!!! :hilarious:;):hilarious:

John park hopperOct 17, 2024

It's great Disney is donating 3 million it would be even better if Bob donated 3 million of his 31.6 million salary

DCBakerOct 16, 2024

In a new email, Disney says it's investing $3 million that will be used to assist cast members, the local community and nonprofits aiding in recovery efforts after Hurricane Milton. Here's the email: Florida friends and neighbors, With Hurricane Milton now behind us, we hope that you all made it through the storm safely. We know it was a very challenging event and realize that many of our fellow Floridians are facing difficult circumstances as a result. It’s touching to see so many residents, local businesses and nonprofits stepping up to provide relief to those who need it. We’re especially thankful to our cast members who helped keep our guests and each other safe during the storm and continue to support our community. Like all of you, we are dedicated to helping Florida move forward. Disney is investing $3 million that will be used to assist cast members, the local community and nonprofits aiding in recovery efforts. This is in addition to the thousands of meals delivered to Second Harvest Food Bank and Osceola Council on Aging, as well as donations we made ahead of hurricane season to help Florida nonprofits stock up with supplies that could be used in storm shelters like blankets, sheets, pillows and hygiene products. The Disney Employee Relief Fund has also been activated to assist any Disney employee whose primary home was impacted by the storm, and we’re providing other personalized assistance for cast, including repair services, mental health resources, backup adult and child care, and food, water and ice distribution. As Florida continues to recover, we remain by the side of our extended Disney family and communities across the state. Thank you to all those who have stepped up before, during and after the storm to keep the people and places around us safe. We are proud to serve alongside you.

MisterPenguinOct 15, 2024

Watch out, Disneyland Paris!

jmuboyOct 15, 2024

I noticed this as well. I assume having landscape teams get into the enclosures to clean up and address replanting is a lot more challenging in this attraction for obvious reasons. I would assume the debris will slowly be removed. Also noticed a good amount of bamboo patches in the attraction were impacted which is easy to cut back and let regrow (which it regrows quickly and easily) Some degree of natural destruction and regrowth of vegetation gives this attraction its hyper realistic feel. As opposed to the manicured landscape you typically see at WDW