Walt Disney World Prepares for Hurricane Helene

Shannen Ace

A large red umbrella stands closed on a stone patio overlooking a fenced area with lush greenery and a large tree sculpture in the background.

Walt Disney World Prepares for Hurricane Helene

Walt Disney World is preparing for severe weather today as Hurricane Helene moves past Central Florida and towards the panhandle. The Category 2 storm is expected to make landfall tonight as a Category 3 or 4 and though it will be far north of the Disney parks, strong winds, rain, and lightning are still expected.

Disney Prepares for Hurricane Helene

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

A covered area with people sitting at tables, some eating and drinking. In the foreground is a large wooden planter with two tall, conical decorations made of dried grass.

The most obvious preparation at the theme parks is currently closed and secured umbrellas.

Many outdoor snack kiosks remain open for now.

Outdoor refreshment stand covered, featuring a Coca-Cola advertisement. Two people walking nearby, one wearing a pink shirt and the other a multicolored shirt. Background includes trees and buildings.

A closed kiosk was covered with tarps.

Entrance to Rafiki's Planet Watch with a sign for Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. Signage, a closed umbrella, and two trash bins are visible, surrounded by lush greenery.

When we visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Thursday morning, Rafiki’s Planet Watch was not yet open. It usually opens at 9:30 or 10 a.m., so we don’t think the morning closure was related to the hurricane.

Umbrellas throughout Harambe Market were closed up.

Two people stand near a blue umbrella in a tree-lined park area with a large artificial tree visible in the background.

Outdoor Guest Experiences kiosks were still operating, but their umbrellas were closed.

A weathered building with a corrugated metal roof, closed shutters, and a small display of clothes and hats for sale on the left. The sky is overcast, and the ground appears cracked and dry.

Cast Members brought merchandise that is usually displayed outdoors inside and closed some shop doors. Walt Disney World is currently experiencing high winds and rain.

A large red umbrella stands closed on a stone patio overlooking a fenced area with lush greenery and a large tree sculpture in the background.

According to the My Disney Experience app, outdoor attractions like Kali River Rapids and Kilimanjaro Safaris remain open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, although they could close if there is lightning in the area. Wait times are relatively low, with Avatar Flight of Passage at only a 40-minute standby wait. Animal Kingdom is scheduled to close at 6 p.m.

EPCOT

It’s a similar story at EPCOT. The first signs of preparation for Hurricane Helene were the pavilion logo flags missing from their poles at the park entrance.

Closed umbrellas stand next to a modern building with metal railings, potted plants, and a small green space in the background, reminiscent of tranquil corners found in Walt Disney World.

Outdoor umbrellas were all tied closed.

Three people walk towards glass doors in a building lobby. Two "Caution: Wet Floor" signs are placed on the polished floor, one near the foreground and one near the doors, evoking a scene far from the magic of Walt Disney World.

Though it wasn’t raining just yet this morning while we were there, wet floor cones were already up at some locations.

EPCOT doesn’t have outdoor rides like Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but entertainment like “Celebración Encanto” will likely be canceled. EPCOT is scheduled to close at 9 p.m.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The rain began to come down heavily as we arrived at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where umbrellas were also closed and held down with sandbags. It’s likely that outdoor entertainment like “Fantasmic!” will be canceled. The park is scheduled to close at 9 p.m.

Colorful game booths with closed canopies stand near a red roller coaster track at Walt Disney World, bracing for the rainy day brought on by Hurricane Helene.

In Toy Story Land, outdoor vending carts have been covered and umbrellas are closed.

Both the seating areas near Woody’s Lunch Box and the additional seating closer to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge have had their umbrellas closed for the weather.

We spotted more prep in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, with all outdoor umbrellas closed for the incoming storm. Unlike Toy Story Land, though, the outdoor vending droid carts were not covered.

Visitors clad in rain ponchos navigate through a wet, themed amusement park area at Walt Disney World. Some push strollers, while others move amidst trees and sci-fi structures on a rainy day reminiscent of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance was a decent 40-minute wait!

Outdoor dining area with red umbrellas closed on a rainy day; a person in a black coat walks on the wet brick pavement, reminiscent of scenes seen at Walt Disney World during hurricane Helene.

Near Muppet*Vision 3D, the outdoor umbrellas for PizzeRizzo were all closed up.

Outdoor dining area with red umbrella-covered tables and string lights in front of a brick building labeled "Baseline Tap House" at Walt Disney World. Steps and a pathway lead up to the seating area, surrounded by greenery.

It’s the same story over at Baseline Tap House, though the weather isn’t stopping guests from sitting outside.

Outdoor dining area with empty tables and chairs next to a green building marked "SHOP." Umbrellas are furled, and industrial-style decorations are visible. Overcast sky reminiscent of Hurricane Helene in the background, evoking a scene one might find wandering through Walt Disney World on a cloudy day.

Backlot Express is also ready for the storm, with their outdoor umbrellas closed up.

All of today’s performances of Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular have been canceled, but guests can still enter the theater for a quick respite from the rain.

Both Dockside Diner and Sunset Ranch Market closed all their umbrellas ahead of the storm.

People in rain ponchos walk and take photos near a large red guitar sculpture at an outdoor attraction with palm trees and overcast skies, reminiscent of the scenes at Walt Disney World during Hurricane Helene.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith was a 45-minute wait when we passed by. Not terrible for a stormy morning.

People wearing rain ponchos walk down a wet street at a theme park, reminiscent of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Palm trees line the walkway, and a temple-like structure stands at the end of the street in the distance.

We cut our day short due to the weather. Walt Disney World is under a Tornado Watch, Flood Watch, and Tropical Storm Warning, meaning tornadoes and floods are possible while tropical storm conditions are guaranteed.

Though the four theme parks are open, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park and mini golf courses are closed. Disney also canceled Thursday’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and select tours. Magic Kingdom is scheduled to close at 8 p.m.

Check My Disney Experience for up-to-date notices regarding operations, including potential early theme park closures.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.

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