Walt Disney World has announced early closures of its theme parks in response to Hurricane Milton, which has intensified into a Category 4 storm. Although forecasters predict some weakening before landfall, Hurricane Milton remains one of the most significant threats to Central Florida in recent memory. Below is the official statement from Walt Disney World regarding the closures:

Walt Disney World Closing Due to Hurricane Milton

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.

As always, stay tuned and keep checking back for the latest news!

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