Disney World Braces for Hurricane Milton Amid Theme Park Closures

Visitors to Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, are facing an unexpected adventure as Hurricane Milton approaches the state, bringing with it a host of challenges for both tourists and the theme park itself. The storm, which has quickly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, has prompted significant warnings from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who described it as a “monster.”

Telissa Carpenter from Indianapolis is among those caught in the storm’s path, having traveled to Disney World to celebrate her son’s 30th birthday. “We came to the realization that we’re stuck here,” she mentioned, after learning her flight home was canceled due to the impending hurricane. Carpenter had not anticipated such severe weather upon planning their trip, a sentiment echoed by others currently visiting the Orlando area.

In response to the hurricane, Walt Disney World announced several park closures beginning Wednesday. According to a statement, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close at 1 p.m. EDT, with EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, and Disney Springs following at 2 p.m. EDT. The closures are expected to last through Thursday. Additionally, Disney’s Fort Wilderness campground and select resorts will cease operations starting Wednesday morning.

Orlando International Airport, serving as a major travel hub, will suspend commercial operations from 8 a.m. Wednesday, anticipating further disruptions as the storm advances. Local families, like Cara Prior from Tennessee, have already been relocated to Disney hotels from campsites as the hurricane approaches.

Hurricane Milton’s impact is not only felt by tourists but also poses financial implications for Disney. A Goldman Sachs report issued on Tuesday predicts the hurricane could cost Disney between $150 million and $200 million in the parks division this quarter, marking it as potentially the costliest storm for the company since Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Residents and tourists in the Orlando area are under a hurricane warning, with forecasts predicting wind speeds indicative of a Category 1 or 2 hurricane alongside substantial rainfall. The National Weather Service has advised locals to prepare for “considerable wind damage.” Furthermore, other major attractions in the region, such as Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando, have also announced closures for the coming days.