Walt Disney World could lose $200 million due to Hurricane Milton, which is projected to hit the theme park in the coming days.
Hurricane Milton to Cost Disney Millions
Goldman Sachs analysts stated in a report released on Tuesday that closures and disruptions from the storm could cost Disney between $150 million and $200 million this quarter. They also predicted Hurricane Milton would cause a decline in park attendance by approximately 6%. (via Forbes)
This could be the costliest hurricane to hit Disney since Irma in 2017, which lost the company $100 million.
As Walt Disney World prepared for Hurricane Milton on Tuesday, they announced the theme parks would close early on Wednesday and likely remain closed through Thursday. They canceled the October 10 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, the Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will be closed beginning Wednesday morning.
This is the 11th time Walt Disney World will close in its 53-year history. Eight of the previous closures were due to hurricanes; one was the four-month COVID-19 closure; and one was an early closure in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
A Disney Wish sailing has been canceled, while other Disney Cruise Line sailings are receiving itinerary changes.
Universal Orlando Resort also announced theme park closures.
Central Florida is under a Hurricane Warning. As of Tuesday afternoon, Milton is currently a Category 5 hurricane. It is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. It will pass the Orlando area on Thursday afternoon, likely as a Category 1 or 2 storm.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.