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
The most obvious preparation at the theme parks is currently closed and secured umbrellas.
Many outdoor snack kiosks remain open for now.
A closed kiosk was covered with tarps.
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.
Outdoor Guest Experiences kiosks were still operating, but their umbrellas were closed.
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.
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.
Outdoor umbrellas were all tied closed.
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.
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.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance was a decent 40-minute wait!
Near Muppet*Vision 3D, the outdoor umbrellas for PizzeRizzo were all closed up.
It’s the same story over at Baseline Tap House, though the weather isn’t stopping guests from sitting outside.
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.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith was a 45-minute wait when we passed by. Not terrible for a stormy morning.
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.
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