US NEWS
Disney World and Universal Orlando closed due to Hurricane Milton: When will they reopen?
Hurricane Milton is hitting Florida on Wednesday, prompting Disney World and Universal Orlando to announce closures. Find out when they will reopen.
As recovery efforts continue following Hurricane Helene, Florida is preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Milton, which, according to is the strongest storm to develop in the Gulf of Mexico since 2005. Hurricane Milton is now a Category 5 storm and has led counties across the state to issue evacuation orders. The NHC also reported that fluctuations in intensity are likely as Milton moves through the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Still, Milton is expected to be a dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the Florida coast.
Those who had planned a trip to Disney World and University Orlando must postpone their visit as the parks are closed in anticipation of the storm. Officials from Orange County have said residents should prepare for wind gusts as high as 74 miles per hour and between six and 12 inches of rain starting Wednesday evening.
When could the parks reopen?
Disney announced in a statement that the Walt Disney World and Disney Springs theme parks would begin closing their operations on Wednesday, October 9, at 1:00 p.m.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios will close at 1:00 p.m.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close at 1:00 p.m.
- Magic Kingdom will close at 2:00 p.m.
- EPCOT will close at 2:00 p.m.
- Disney Springs will close at 2:00 p.m.
Theme parks will likely remain closed on Thursday, October 10. This includes the cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park on Thursday, October 10. Tickets to the event will be refunded.
“We will consider opening Disney Springs late Thursday afternoon with limited offerings,” the company said.
As for hotels, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will temporarily close beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 9. They will likely remain closed through Sunday, October 13.
Meanwhile, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed on Thursday. The resort’s water park will also be closed, and its Halloween Horror Nights event will be canceled for both Wednesday and Thursday. The resort’s hotels will remain open and are expected to reopen Friday.