In response to the imminent arrival of Hurricane Milton, Walt Disney World has announced closures of the theme parks and a few select DVC resorts, as well as halting certain services. This precautionary measure is part of the resort’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its guests and staff as the storm approaches Central Florida.
Here is the official statement as released by Walt Disney World:
Walt Disney World Official Statement
We continue to closely monitor the path of Hurricane Milton. Based on the latest projection, we are making additional operational adjustments for the safety of our Guests and Cast Members beginning tomorrow, Oct. 9.
The Walt Disney World Emergency Operations Center is connected to weather experts and community leaders. Please know these adjustments have been made in order to leave plenty of time for our Guests and Cast Members to return to their Resort hotels or homes safely hours before higher winds are expected to reach Central Florida.
Operational Impacts Include:
Walt Disney World Theme Parks
- On Oct. 9, our 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. We will consider opening Disney Springs Thursday late afternoon with limited offerings.
- This includes the cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom on Oct. 10. Event tickets will be refunded.
Disney Resort Hotel Closures
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will temporarily close beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9. They are likely to remain closed until Sunday, Oct. 13.
Transportation
- 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.
Recreation
- 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.
Reservations for Dining and Other Experiences
- Effective immediately, we 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.
Disney Resort and Room-Only Cancellation Policy for Reservations Booked Directly with Disney Destinations, LLC or The Walt Disney Travel Company:
- Due to potential weather impacts to guest travel plans, change and cancellation fees imposed by Disney will be waived for check-in dates of Tuesday, 10/8 – Monday, 10/14.
- Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates, without fees. Packages including air transportation or other services provided by third parties, or those with travel protection, cannot be modified or cancelled online. For Guests with these reservations, please call Disney Central for assistance.
Theme Park and Facility Closures
Walt Disney World will begin closing its theme parks and Disney Springs in phases starting at 1 p.m. on October 9th. Specifically, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close at 1 p.m., while Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs will follow suit at 2 p.m.
The parks are anticipated to remain closed through October 10th, with the possibility of Disney Springs reopening later that day with limited services. Additionally, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been canceled, and affected guests will receive refunds.
Resort and Transportation Adjustments
The closure plan includes temporary shutdowns of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa from 11 a.m. on October 9th, likely extending through October 13th.
Also, Walt Disney World Transportation will halt operations following the closures, with limited transport options available for resort guests.
Dining and Reservation Policies
To accommodate guests during this period, Walt Disney World has relaxed its cancellation policies. Dining and other experience cancellations will not incur fees until further notice, and pre-paid experiences will be refunded automatically.
Guests with room-only or vacation package reservations booked directly with Disney can modify or cancel their plans without fees for check-ins from October 8th to October 14th.
Conclusion
Walt Disney World’s proactive measures in the face of Hurricane Milton highlight its dedication to guest and staff safety. By understanding these operational changes and staying informed, park guests can adjust their plans accordingly.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
