by Heather Adams | Oct 8, 2024 | Walt Disney World
Everything you need to know about Hurricane Milton’s impact on Walt Disney World, including the latest closure updates and information.
With a location in Central Florida, Disney World is no stranger to the hurricane season. In the past, Disney World had to close the parks due to dangerous weather from hurricanes and tropical storms that saw Orlando in their cone.
This week, Hurricane Milton is expected to impact parts of Florida, which has left many wondering whether Disney World will be impacted. We’re sharing the latest updates from Disney on any closures and cancellation policies you need to know if you have plans to visit the parks later this week.
How Hurricane Milton is Affecting Disney World: The Latest Updates and Closures
As of Monday, October 7, the storm is classified as Hurricane Milton. The storm has strengthened into a Category 4 storm as it approaches Florida’s west coast. Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Wednesday, October 9 as a Category 3 storm. The latest update from the National Hurricane Center, as of Tuesday, October 8 is “Hurricane and storm surge warnings issued for portions of the East Coast of Florida. Residents in Florida are urged to use today to prepare for Milton’s arrival and evacuate if told to do so by local officials.”
Because many areas in Florida are still in the midst of recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene, it’s likely that Milton will pose additional stress on the state and its resources.
Based on the forecasted path of Hurricane Milton shared by the National Hurricane Center, the storm will likely hit Central Florida – and Walt Disney World Resort – in the early morning hours on Thursday. The area has been placed under a Hurricane Watch, according to WESH 2.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 51 of Florida’s 67 counties in advance of expected landfall. The state of emergency affects the following counties:
- Palm Beach
- Martin
- St. Lucie
- Indian River
- Okeechobee
- Broward
- Miami-Dade
- Alachua
- Baker
- Bradford
- Brevard
- Broward
- Charlotte
- Citrus
- Clay
- Collier
- Columbia
- DeSoto
- Dixie
- Duval
- Flagler
- Gilchrist
- Glades
- Hamilton
- Hardee
- Hendry
- Hernando
- Highlands
- Hillsborough
- Lafayette
- Lake
- Lee
- Levy
- Madison
- Manatee
- Marion
- Monroe
- Nassau
- Orange
- Osceola
- Pasco
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Putnam
- Sarasota
- Seminole
- St. Johns
- Sumter
- Suwanee
- Taylor
- Union
- Volusia
Disney World Operational Status Updates
In response to Milton, Disney has shared that the theme parks and parts of the resort will be closing in phases beginning on October 9.
Theme Parks and Disney Springs
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close at 1 PM on October 9
- Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs will close at 2 PM on October 9
- Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom will be canceled for October 10
Disney has shared that it is likely the theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, October 10. They will consider opening Disney Springs on Thursday in the late afternoon, with limited offerings.
Disney World Resort Hotels
- Beginning 11 AM on October 9, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground (including dining and recreation locations), the Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will temporarily close
- The Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will likely reopen on Friday, October 11.
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will likely remain closed until Sunday, October 13.
Disney World Transportation
Disney World transportation will stop operating beginning Wednesday, October 9, after Disney Springs and the theme parks have closed. Limited Minnie Van and Mears taxi service will be available for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests.
Disney World Recreation
- Typhoon Lagoon, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on Wednesday, October 9
Reservations for Dining and Other Experiences
As of writing, Disney has said they will not enforce cancellation policies until further notice for dining and other experiences. Any prepaid bookable experiences will be automatically refunded within 7 to 10 business days.
Orlando International Airport Status Updates
On October 7, the Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) announced that they will cease commercial passenger and private operations on Wednesday morning, October 9 in advance of Hurricane Milton. The airport will resume commercial operations “as soon as possible based on damage assessment,” according to a press release.
What is Disney World’s Hurricane Cancellation and Modification Policy?
If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area (or your place of residence) within seven days of your scheduled arrival date, you can reschedule or cancel your vacation package or most room-only reservations booked through Disney without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.
This policy also applies to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort or Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort if a hurricane warning is issued for those destinations. Any travel or services through third-party suppliers are not covered under Disney’s policy.
