Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a State of Emergency in the wake of the news that Tropical Storm Milton is forecast to become a major hurricane when it makes landfall next week.
Both Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World are part of Orange County, which is included in the State of Emergency.
Those affected are advised to listen to local authorities regarding prep and/or evacuation orders. The theme park resorts will issue updates as operational decisions are made regarding the storm.
Tropical Storm Milton is currently projected to make landfall as a category 2 or 3 hurricane sometime between the evening of October 8 and October 9. After the State of Emergency was declared, Walt Disney World paused hotel reservations for October 9 & 10, as part of their usual preparedness protocol. Pausing reservations allows them to ensure they have staffing and supplies for all guests currently expected to stay during the storm.
Neither resort has made a statement regarding the storm as of publication, and, at this time, operations are planned to proceed as normal. The regular theme parks did not have to close during the recent Hurricane Helene, though the water parks did close. The separately ticketed events, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Halloween Horror Nights, were canceled for one evening.
Historically, theme park closures are rare, but hurricanes are one of the few situations that necessitate it. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a hurricane season with above-average activity for 2024. Peak hurricane season in Florida is typically June 1 – November 30.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Oddly enough, getting stuck in a posh Disney resort hotel during a hurricane sounds kind of intriguing. Or at least an interesting story idea for a disaster thriller…
You’re not wrong!
Our flights out were canceled a few years ago and we had to spend 2 more days there and they took EXCELLENT care of us and even did special things like bagged meals and bringing characters to the hotel for a Meet and Greet. I was very impressed and very thankful. Plus, they all have huge generators, so we felt very safe.
I visited the end of June. It was hot but I prefer that over constant rain. Too much money spent for the entire trip just to be stuck in ur hotel room🙄
AMEN!! It would still be a vacation for me to be stuck in the Contemporary Resort! That’s my favorite resort thus far.
Wow so Florida peak hurricane season is 6 months of the year? Sheesh. Sounds like it’s always a possibility of a 🌀 hurricane occuring.
Half a year is far from it always being a possibility. In addition, that’s just when a chance of a hurricane could happen, but majority are between August and October – – further distancing them from always happening.
We got stuck in Disney on 9/11. Everything was shut down and the next day a tropical storm came through. We had to stay in the room the first day but someone was knocking on the door almost hourly holding pizza, fried chicken , beverages and junk food. Our original reservation was for a room near the back of the resort and they upgraded it because it was safer. The parks reopened the next day but most people had left and the parks were almost empty but fully staffed. We had the best Disney trip ever.
I live in the area, have annual pass I was able to get a reservation to stay at a hotel because I live in a manufactured home. When hurricane Irma came thru we had a direct hit, Disney took really great care of us. The park was closed 2 days I think but I stay 5 days because my power was out! But Disney was great!