Hurricane Milton is currently on track to hit the west coast of Florida, following closely behind Hurricane Helene’s destructive path. The storm has quickly escalated from a Category 4 to a Category 5 hurricane in the Gulf Coast, prompting residents in Florida to brace themselves for potential impact. With Walt Disney World potentially in the hurricane’s trajectory, there are concerns about whether the Orlando parks will be forced to shut down.
The projected landfall for Hurricane Milton is Wednesday, October 9, with expectations of affecting the rest of Florida throughout the week. While the storm is anticipated to move towards the south Atlantic Ocean, meteorologists caution that it’s too early to determine the exact path of the hurricane.
As of Monday, October 7, the Walt Disney Company confirmed that the parks were still open through an announcement on the Orlando parks’ website. However, guests were advised to stay informed about the local weather conditions and monitor the forecast for Central Florida. The safety of guests and staff remained a top priority for Disney, with ongoing monitoring of the storm’s trajectory.
In adherence to the parks’ weather policies, guests with reservations impacted by the National Hurricane Center’s warnings within seven days of their arrival date are allowed to reschedule or cancel their bookings without facing any fees from Disney. In response to the approaching storm, Disney World temporarily halted park reservations for Tuesday, October 8, and Wednesday, October 9.
Updates were provided on Disney World’s website on October 7, indicating that adjustments would be made based on the latest weather forecasts. Specific resorts such as Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa were slated for temporary closures starting at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 9. Some of these closures were expected to last until Sunday, October 13, while others might reopen sooner.
In terms of park operations, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park were scheduled to close at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9, followed by Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs at 2:00 p.m. The likelihood of the theme parks remaining closed on Thursday, October 10 was also addressed, with the cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom on that day.
The National Hurricane Center reported on October 7 that Hurricane Milton had intensified into a Major Category 4 Hurricane, with maximum wind speeds of 150 mph and a pressure drop to 940 mb. This rapid intensification raised concerns about the storm’s potential impact on Florida, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in the state.
Hurricane Milton’s escalation and projected path have heightened the sense of urgency among residents and authorities in Florida, underscoring the importance of preparedness and safety measures in the face of natural disasters. As the situation continues to evolve, vigilance and adherence to official guidelines are crucial to mitigating the impact of the storm on the community.