Everything you need to know about Hurricane Milton’s impact on Walt Disney World, including the latest closure updates and information.
With a location in Central Florida, Disney World is no stranger to the hurricane season. In the past, Disney World had to close the parks due to dangerous weather from hurricanes and tropical storms that saw Orlando in their cone.
This week, Hurricane Milton is expected to impact parts of Florida, which has left many wondering whether Disney World will be impacted. We’re sharing the latest updates from Disney on any closures and cancellation policies you need to know if you have plans to visit the parks later this week.
How Hurricane Milton is Affecting Disney World: The Latest Updates and Closures
The storm was classified as Hurricane Milton. The storm ztrengthened into a Category 4 storm approaching Florida’s west coast, before making landfall as a Category 4. Because many areas in Florida are still in the midst of recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene, it’s likely that Milton will pose additional stress on the state and its resources. Based on the forecasted path of Hurricane Milton shared by the National Hurricane Center, the storm will likely hit Central Florida – and Walt Disney World Resort – in the early morning hours on Thursday. The area was placed under a Hurricane Watch, according to WESH 2.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 51 of Florida’s 67 counties in advance of expected landfall. The state of emergency affects the following counties:
- Palm Beach
- Martin
- St. Lucie
- Indian River
- Okeechobee
- Broward
- Miami-Dade
- Alachua
- Baker
- Bradford
- Brevard
- Broward
- Charlotte
- Citrus
- Clay
- Collier
- Columbia
- DeSoto
- Dixie
- Duval
- Flagler
- Gilchrist
- Glades
- Hamilton
- Hardee
- Hendry
- Hernando
- Highlands
- Hillsborough
- Lafayette
- Lake
- Lee
- Levy
- Madison
- Manatee
- Marion
- Monroe
- Nassau
- Orange
- Osceola
- Pasco
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Putnam
- Sarasota
- Seminole
- St. Johns
- Sumter
- Suwanee
- Taylor
- Union
- Volusia
Disney World Operational Status Updates
In response to Milton, Disney has shared that the theme parks and parts of the resort will be closing in phases beginning on October 9, and lasting through October 10. The resort will resume operations on October 11, 2024.
Theme Parks and Disney Springs
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close at 1 PM on October 9
- Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs will close at 2 PM on October 9
- Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom will be canceled for October 10
The theme parks and Disney Springs will all remain closed through Thursday, October 10. For partially used multi-day tickets, ticket expiration dates will be adjusted to expire on October 11, 2025.
Disney World Resort Hotels
- Beginning 11 AM on October 9, 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 & Spa will temporarily close. Disney has shared that they will update with a reopening at a later date.
What is Open at the Hotels During a Hurricane?
During the hurricane closures, Disney World Resort hotels will have limited dining operations andselect dining locations for guests staying at the hotel. The operating hours and availability may be adjusted without notice, so make sure you’re paying attention to the My Disney Experience app for the latest updates. Disney recommends pre-purchasing breakfast and lunch for Thursday, October 10 at any food court or quick-service location.
For those staying at the hotels, the following activities will be made available:
- Free Disney movies in your hotel room
- Surprise character visits in the lobby
- Free play at the arcades starting at 4 PM
- Fitness center will have normal operating hours
Disney World Transportation
Disney World transportation will stop operating beginning Wednesday, October 9, after Disney Springs and the theme parks have closed. Limited Mears taxi service will be available to Walt Disney World Resort guests. Minnie Van service will be temporarily unavailable beginning at 4 PM on October 9.
Disney World Recreation
- Typhoon Lagoon, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on Wednesday, October 9
Reservations for Dining and Other Experiences
As of writing, Disney has said they will not enforce cancellation policies until further notice for dining and other experiences. Any prepaid bookable experiences will be automatically refunded within 7 to 10 business days.
Orlando International Airport Status Updates
On October 7, the Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) announced that they will cease commercial passenger and private operations on Wednesday morning, October 9 in advance of Hurricane Milton. The airport will resume commercial operations “as soon as possible based on damage assessment,” according to a press release.
What is Disney World’s Hurricane Cancellation and Modification Policy?
If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area (or your place of residence) within seven days of your scheduled arrival date, you can reschedule or cancel your vacation package or most room-only reservations booked through Disney without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.
This policy also applies to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort or Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort if a hurricane warning is issued for those destinations. Any travel or services through third-party suppliers are not covered under Disney’s policy.
