Disney Theme Parks to close in phases
Walt Disney World has announced theme park and Disney Springs closings beginning Wednesday, October 9, 2024 as Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall this week.
The following closures and operational changes have been announced across Walt Disney World Resort:
- On Oct. 9, the theme parks and Disney Springs will be closed in phases beginning at 1 p.m.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close at 1 p.m.
- Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs will close at 2 p.m.
- It is likely the theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, Oct. 10.
- This includes the cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom on Oct. 10. Event tickets will be refunded.
- Walt Disney World Transportation will stop operating Wednesday, Oct. 9 after Disney Springs and the Walt Disney World theme parks close.
- Limited Minnie Van and Mears taxi service will be available to Walt Disney World Resort Guests.
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Disney’s Blizzard Beach remains closed for planned refurbishment.
- Effective immediately, they will not enforce cancellation policies until further notice for dining and other experiences.
- Pre-paid bookable experiences will be automatically refunded within 7 to 10 business days.
A State of Emergency was issued for Walt Disney World on Saturday, October 5. Milton grew to hurricane classification on Sunday, October 6, and then increased from a Category 4 to a Category 5 hurricane on Monday, October 7. Soon after, a Hurricane Warning was issued for Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and surrounding areas.
Hotel reservations were paused for Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10. In addition, park reservations for October 9 have been blocked out. Hotel cancelation and change fees have been waived for guests who have to change their plans due to the approaching storm.
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 have previously announced closings beginning on Wednesday, October 9.
You can learn more about all the times Disney World parks have closed in the past, from weather events to terrorist attacks.
Stay tuned for the latest closures and changes as Hurricane Milton gets set to make landfall.
Have you ever been at Disney World at a time when a Hurricane made landfall?