What occurs when a hurricane strikes Disney World

After Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the powerful storm traveled east across the state. Although it significantly weakened before leaving Florida as a Category 1 hurricane, areas in its path—including Central Florida—experienced considerable damage.

Vacationers at Disney World had to choose between leaving early by car or plane before Orlando International Airport (MCO) closed at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, or staying at Disney to ride out the storm.

Disney began closing its parks in stages on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom shut their doors at 1 p.m., followed by the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney Springs at 2 p.m. All Disney theme parks and Disney Springs will remain closed on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.

Disney plans to fully reopen its theme parks on Friday, Oct. 11.

When Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Florida's southwestern coast in 2022, reports quickly surfaced of flooding, power outages, high winds, and hazardous storm surges. The effects of the storm were also felt in Central Florida.

Likewise, Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc in areas like Tampa and St. Petersburg, while the Orlando region experienced strong winds, heavy rainfall, and power outages.

Here’s an update on the current situation for guests already at the parks or planning a visit soon, along with insights into what it’s like to weather a hurricane at Disney.

Latest information on park closures at Disney

Since its opening in 1971, Disney has closed its doors only nine times due to hurricanes. These closures have varied in length from just a few hours to several days, with the longest occurring during Hurricane Frances in 2004, when parts of Disney remained shut for a full three days. Hurricane Milton will now mark the 10th closure.

In addition to the closure information mentioned earlier, Disney has announced that Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort (including dining and recreational areas) and the Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will temporarily close starting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.

Disney reports that Fort Wilderness Resort and the Treehouse Villas are expected to remain closed until Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom is canceled for Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, and tickets for the event will be refunded.

For guests with partially used multiday tickets, Disney will extend the expiration date to Oct. 11, 2025.

Disney will share additional updates on its dedicated "Weather Updates & Information" page.

Cancellation policy for hurricanes at Disney World

As stated on the Disney website, if the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for the Orlando area and/or your residence within seven days of your scheduled arrival, you can reschedule or cancel your Disney vacation packages and most room-only bookings (made directly with Disney) without incurring any cancellation or change fees. Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified or canceled online.

Guests will still be responsible for any differences in rates, and discounts or special offers may not apply to the new dates. If you cancel between two and 29 days prior to your arrival, Disney's standard cancellation fee of $200 per package will not be charged (after that, the full package price is your responsibility).

This policy only applies to tickets and accommodations booked directly through Disney. If you purchased tickets from a third-party vendor or are staying off-site, you will need to reach out to that vendor directly.

Disney will also refund all Lightning Lane passes purchased as part of your canceled trip. To cancel these passes, you’ll need to call the resort directly at 407-560-2428. Be aware that there might be a long wait time (currently reported to be around 35 minutes), but once your call is answered, a cast member can assist you in canceling and refunding all purchases.

Keep in mind that, irrespective of the park's operations, airports and roads may be significantly impacted by storms and related evacuation traffic. If you're planning to visit soon after the parks reopen, ensure your flight remains unaffected and that the roads are safe to travel.

What occurred at Disney during Hurricane Milton

During Hurricane Milton, Disney requested that guests remain indoors, including Thursday morning while they evaluated the damage. They also informed guests that dining options would be limited, advising them to "stop by any quick-service dining location to pre-purchase breakfast and lunch for Thursday, Oct. 10."

According to social media reports, Disney provided peanut butter and jelly sandwich kits at Disney resorts for $10. Additionally, they discounted select merchandise, such as board games, to help keep guests entertained while they sheltered in their rooms during the storm.

Disney still managed to bring joy to guests during the storm

Believe it or not, even in a hurricane, the Most Magical Place on Earth can add a sprinkle of magic. While Disney's top priority is ensuring the safety of guests and cast members, the experience can still include a touch of pixie dust.

As guests sheltered in their hotels during Hurricane Ian, Disney organized indoor activities such as arts and crafts and movie screenings in the resort lobbies.

Instead of character meet-and-greets inside the parks, Disney brought the characters to the hotels to entertain guests, and in some cases, the characters seemed to be enjoying themselves just as much as the guests.

Although Disney can't change the weather, it strives to keep your vacation magical by uplifting spirits and providing fun activities to ease boredom (and, honestly, hurricane anxiety) by bringing Mickey and his friends to you for as long as possible.

Disney is one of the safest places to be during a hurricane

If you find yourself needing to shelter in place, there are few better spots than Disney World. Positioned far enough inland to avoid the worst tropical weather, Central Florida is still familiar with hurricanes and tropical storms. Consequently, Disney has a comprehensive plan for inclement weather — even the castle is constructed to hurricane standards.

If you ever face this situation, it's wise to gather some supplies beforehand, as some hotel rooms at Disney require you to walk outside to reach the lobby, which may not be feasible during the storm when you need to stay in your room.

Most Disney resorts, except for Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, the Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, and the Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, are well-prepared to withstand a hurricane. When these locations close during a hurricane, guests are relocated to other Disney resorts.

Reports from Milton indicated debris and some damage around Walt Disney World Resort, particularly at Disney's Port Orleans Resort — Riverside.

Some exterior damage is also visible at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort.

Bottom line

Disney World and other major theme parks in the Orlando area are currently evaluating the damage caused by Hurricane Milton. Disney will remain closed on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, with plans to reopen on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Additionally, several freestanding villa and cabin accommodations will also be closed. MCO is still closed at the time of this report.

While facing a hurricane during a visit to Disney World is certainly not ideal, Disney has numerous safety measures in place and always manages to sprinkle in some pixie dust. From character appearances in the lobby to arcades switching to “free” mode, it’s likely the most enjoyable experience you—or at least your kids—can have while riding out a storm.

For additional tips on how to navigate travel during hurricane season, check out:

• Common travel pitfalls to avoid during hurricane season
• Your guide to hurricane season: TPG's storm advice for travelers
• Cruising during hurricane season: Essential information — should you still go?
• Do you need travel insurance if your credit card offers protection?
• Is travel insurance a worthwhile investment?
• Flight delayed or canceled? Here’s your next step