Disney World Issues Closure Update Ahead of Hurricane Milton

Disney World has closed several of its theme parks and Disney Springs as Hurricane Milton hurtles toward Florida’s coast.
The Category 5 storm is forecast to make landfall in the Tampa Bay region on Thursday morning, with tropical-storm-force winds expected to hit after midday on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Disney World, located in Orlando, announced that it was making additional operational adjustments “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.”
On Wednesday, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom are set to close at 1 p.m. ET, while Epcot and Disney Springs are set to close at 2 p.m.
Disney said it is likely that the theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, but added that it would consider opening Disney Springs late on Thursday afternoon “with limited offerings.”
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom, which was scheduled for Thursday, has been canceled. The company said those with tickets to the event would be refunded.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are also set to close temporarily, likely from 11 a.m. on Wednesday until October 13.
Walt Disney World Transportation is scheduled to stop operating on Wednesday, after the theme parks and Disney Springs have closed. However, Walt Disney World Resort guests will still have access to a limited Minnie Van and Mears taxi service, the company said.
Other closures include Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf.
Disney World also announced that it would not enforce its cancellation policies for experiences such as dining.
Those who have prepaid for a bookable experience should be automatically refunded within seven to 10 business days.
In the Walt Disney World Resort’s Monday update, it said the park was “operating under normal conditions” but “making adjustments based on the latest weather forecast and certain areas with unique environments.”
These adjustments already included the closure of several of the park’s recreation areas, lodges, villas, spas and resorts.
On Wednesday, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk will be open until 2 p.m. and will be closed on Thursday, the resort said in an update on Tuesday. It added that the hours of operations may change depending on the weather forecast.
Other closures include Universal Volcano Bay, on Wednesday and Thursday, while the event Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida is canceled on both days. Hotels are set to stay open.
The venue said it anticipates a full reopening, including its Halloween Horror Nights events, on Friday. It expects to resume normal operating hours that day, “pending the outcome of storm impacts.”
Those who have paid for certain activities and experiences can reschedule many of them or use the booking for a different, specific day.
Universal’s general severe weather policy says, “In the event that a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center or a state of emergency is declared for the Orlando area or in your place of residence, within seven days of your arrival, you can contact our team in advance to reschedule or cancel your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations Package, hotel room only accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets booked directly with Universal Orlando, without any cancellation or change fees imposed.”