Hurricane Milton Forces Disney World Closure as Florida Prepares for Severe Impact

The impending arrival of Hurricane Milton has prompted widespread concern across the United States, with the storm expected to make landfall along Florida’s central Gulf Coast. Forecasters have specifically identified the Tampa Bay area as likely to face significant impact between late evening on October 9 and early morning October 10. The hurricane is predicted to cause catastrophic damage across the state.

Hurricane Milton, initially forecast as a Category 3 or 4, has already intensified to a Category 5 storm, with the National Weather Service reporting maximum sustained winds of 165 mph as of Tuesday afternoon. The storm, positioned approximately 480 miles southwest of Tampa, is expected to cross the state of Florida and reach the Atlantic by Thursday afternoon.

In response to the storm, Walt Disney World Resort has decided to close its theme parks and Disney Springs beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 9. Disney officials have also canceled “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party” set for October 10, offering refunds for event tickets. A reopening date for the parks has not been announced, but the closures could extend through October 10. Disney Springs may potentially open Thursday afternoon with limited services.

This decision marks one of the rare occasions Disney World has shuttered its operations due to weather. Disney’s last weather-related closure occurred during Hurricane Nicole in 2023, when it also offered discounted hotel rates to evacuees. The resort is again making exceptions to its cancellation policies, allowing guests to modify reservations if a hurricane warning is issued for Orlando or travelers’ residences.

As Hurricane Milton approached, Governor Ron DeSantis described the storm as a “monster,” a warning that has left many Florida-bound travelers in challenging situations. Telissa Carpenter, visiting from Indianapolis, found herself among those stranded after flight cancellations and lack of affordable alternatives. Carpenter, who initially was unaware of the storm’s intensity, expressed her concern after being notified by both Disney and her airline.

Disney’s business as usual was disrupted as Orlando International Airport announced it would close starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday. The area, heavily reliant on tourism, attracts millions of visitors annually, with Disney remaining a major draw. Local residents and tourists scrambled to make alternative arrangements, with some, like Cara Prior and her family from Tennessee, being relocated to Disney hotels as a safety measure.

Meanwhile, many prospective visitors opted to cancel or delay their trips. Kensly Williams from Nebraska canceled her family’s visit to avoid potential dangers. Ashleigh Giliberto, a theme park vacation planner, advised against travel to Florida during the hurricane, highlighting the risks.

The unexpected severity of Hurricane Milton has disrupted travel plans and created uncertainty among tourists. Carpenter, eager to return home but remaining in Florida for the storm, voiced her apprehension, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the situation and its aftermath.