US: Disney World closes several of its theme parks and Disney Springs

US: Disney World has shuttered Disney Springs and many of its main parks as Hurricane Milton speeds near Florida’s coast.

With tropical-storm-force winds projected to strike after lunchtime on Wednesday, the Category 5 hurricane is predicted to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Thursday morning.

Disney World, in Orlando, said on Tuesday that it was adding extra operational changes “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.”

What closed at Disney World?

Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will shut at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday; Epcot and Disney Springs will close at 2 p.m.

Disney said it is expected that the theme parks would be closed on Thursday, but it will take consideration opening Disney Springs late on Thursday afternoon “with limited offerings.”

Cancelled is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom set for Thursday. Those having event tickets will be reimbursed, the business claimed.

Additionally scheduled to shut temporarily, probably from 11 a.m. on Wednesday until October 13, are Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.

Following the closure of Disney Springs and the theme parks, Walt Disney World Transportation is expected to cease running on Wednesday. Still, Walt Disney World Resort visitors will have access to a limited Minnie Van and Mears taxi service, the firm stated.

Other closures are Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf.

Disney World also said it will not enforce its cancelation rules for dining experiences.

Those who paid for a bookable experience should get a refund within seven to ten business days.
Past 24 hours, what has changed?

Monday’s Walt Disney World Resort update said the park was “operating under normal conditions” but “making adjustments based on the latest weather forecast and certain areas with unique environments.”

Among the park’s leisure areas, lodges, villas, spas and resorts, some of these changes previously involved closures.

Closed at Universal Orlando Resort?

According to an update on Tuesday, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk will be open until 2 p.m. on Wednesday and closed on Thursday, the resort said. It also said that the weather prediction can affect the operational hours.

While Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida is canceled on both Wednesday and Thursday, other closures include Universal Volcano Bay on these days. Hotels are slated to remain open.

According to the facility, Friday’s complete reopening includes its Halloween Horror Nights activities. It anticipates returning daily regular operation hours, “pending the outcome of storm impacts.”

Those who have paid for certain events and experiences may reschedule many of them or utilize the booking for another, particular day.

“In the event of a hurricane or tropical storm warning issued by the National Hurricane Centre or a state of emergency declared for the Orlando area or in your place of residence, within seven days of your arrival, you can contact our team in advance to reschedule or cancel your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations Package, hotel room only accommodation and Universal Orlando theme park tickets booked directly with Universal Orlando, without any cancellation or change fee imposed.”