As Florida recovers following Hurricane Milton, major theme parks in Orlando, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, have temporarily shut down. The closures, which affect theme parks, water parks, and various recreational sites, are expected to last through at least Thursday, with some services remaining unavailable until the weekend. Here’s what visitors and residents need to know about the closures, hurricane policies, and what to expect in the coming days.
Walt Disney World Closes Amid Hurricane Cleanup
Walt Disney World announced the closure of its theme parks, Disney Springs, water parks, and select resorts on Wednesday afternoon in response to Hurricane Milton. The closure will continue through Thursday, with additional service interruptions expected until Sunday. The park’s popular ticketed event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, is also canceled, with refunds to be issued to ticket holders.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park and mini golf courses have also been shut down, while Blizzard Beach was already closed for the season. The company is taking additional precautions, with Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, the Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa expected to remain closed through the weekend.
Limited Services and Food Availability for Guests
The closures have resulted in limited transportation options for those already staying at Disney World resorts. Resort transportation has been suspended, and services such as Minnie Van and Mears taxi rides are restricted. While some food concessions remain available, guests should anticipate a limited selection. Disney is providing updates on its website for guests seeking the latest information.
Understanding Disney World’s Hurricane Policy
Disney has a flexible hurricane policy allowing guests to cancel or reschedule vacation packages and hotel reservations without penalties whenever the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for Orlando or a guest’s residence. Guests can also retain the value of unused park tickets and change their dates for future visits.
During previous hurricanes, Disney offered discounts to Florida residents needing a safe evacuation place. For example, during the 2023 Hurricane Nicole, the company provided 50% off select resort hotel stays, although strict check-in times were applied. Currently, no special deals have been announced for Hurricane Milton evacuees.
Universal Studios Also Closes for Safety
Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk are closed through Thursday due to Hurricane Milton. The popular Halloween Horror Nights event was canceled for Wednesday and Thursday but is expected to resume on Friday, depending on the storm’s impact. Universal Orlando hotels, however, remain fully operational.
Universal’s flexible hurricane policy allows guests to cancel or change reservations without penalties if a hurricane warning or state of emergency is declared for the Orlando area or a guest’s residence within seven days of their scheduled arrival. This policy applies to vacation packages, hotel accommodations, and theme park tickets booked directly through Universal Orlando.
Universal Studios’ Approach to Weather-Related Closures
Universal’s website emphasizes its efforts to keep travel stress-free despite unpredictable weather conditions. Guests can contact Universal to reschedule or cancel their bookings without incurring additional fees if a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued. This flexibility aims to accommodate visitors during challenging weather events like Hurricane Milton.
What’s Next for Theme Parks After Hurricane Milton?
As the cleanup continues, Disney and Universal are assessing the situation to determine when it will be safe to reopen their parks and resume regular activities fully. The reopening schedule will be influenced by the extent of the storm damage and ongoing safety assessments.
Guests planning to visit Walt Disney World or Universal Studios in the coming days should monitor the parks’ websites for the most current updates on closures and service restorations. Visitors are encouraged to have backup plans and remain flexible with travel arrangements as conditions evolve.
Hurricane Milton’s impact on Central Florida has temporarily closed major attractions, with Walt Disney World and Universal Studios taking proactive measures to ensure guest safety. Both parks have flexible policies for cancellations and rescheduling to help minimize disruption to travel plans. As the region recovers, park-goers can expect a phased reopening, and updates will be provided as the situation develops. For now, the focus remains on cleanup efforts and the well-being of residents and visitors.
