Hurricane Milton Impacts Begin to Be Felt at Walt Disney World: Park Closures and Storm Updates

Oct 09, 2024 in "Severe Weather impacts to Walt Disney World"

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Hurricane Milton at Walt Disney World

Posted: Wednesday October 9, 2024 9:35am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

As of this morning, Hurricane Milton continues to intensify in the Gulf of Mexico, now a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 160 mph.

The storm is tracking northeast at 14 mph and is expected to make landfall along Florida's west-central coast after midnight. The National Weather Service warns that Hurricane Milton will bring significant hazards to east-central Florida late tonight and into Thursday, including damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and a high risk of tornadoes.

Hurricane Milton - October 9 - 8am

Radar view of Hurricane Milton bands reaching Central Florida

Current Watches and Warnings

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the following counties, including areas around Walt Disney World.

Key Hazards

Tornado Risk Increasing

The risk of tornadoes is significantly increasing today across east-central Florida as wind shear intensifies with Hurricane Milton's approach. Tornado watches are expected to be issued by late morning or early afternoon. These tornadoes, often embedded within rain bands, can form quickly, posing an added threat to residents and visitors. Stay alert and ensure you have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings.

Damaging Winds

As Hurricane Milton approaches the Florida coast, its outer rainbands will reach central Florida throughout the day, bringing gusty winds. By this evening, winds are expected to strengthen further, with tropical storm-force winds increasing to hurricane-force gusts overnight. A swath of sustained hurricane-force winds is possible near the storm's center, potentially knocking down trees and power lines and causing widespread power outages.

Residents and visitors in central Florida should be in a safe shelter by tonight to avoid hazardous conditions.

Heavy Rain and Flooding

Significant rainfall is expected throughout Wednesday and Thursday, with the heaviest rain falling tonight into Thursday morning. Rainfall totals of 6 to 12 inches are expected across east-central Florida, with 10 to 15 inches possible along the I-4 corridor, including the Greater Orlando area. These amounts will lead to life-threatening flash flooding, particularly in low-lying and urban areas.

Disney World and Other Central Florida Parks Impacted

As Hurricane Milton approaches, Walt Disney World has announced park closures for Wednesday, October 9, with further closures likely on Thursday, October 10. Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando have also implemented closures through Thursday due to the storm.

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.

Discuss on the Forums

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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