As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, Walt Disney World has announced plans to close its parks and facilities in Orlando, following the lead of other major theme parks like SeaWorld and Universal Orlando.
The closures come as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of visitors and staff as the storm draws nearer.
Phased closings at Disney World
Walt Disney World will begin shutting down its parks in phases starting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. The closures will include its popular water park, miniature golf facilities, and campgrounds.
According to Disney, these closures will likely extend into Thursday, with all operations at the resort expected to remain paused until conditions improve.
The Magic Kingdom’s closure follows similar decisions made by United Parks and Resorts, which will close SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa.
SeaWorld will shut its doors on Wednesday and Thursday, while Busch Gardens in Tampa has already closed and will remain shut through Thursday.
Impact on Orlando Tourism
Orlando is a key tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year due to its world-class theme parks, including Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld. Last year alone, the city welcomed 74 million tourists, making it the most visited destination in the United States.
October is typically a busy season for theme parks due to Halloween-themed events that have become increasingly popular over the years. These events are significant revenue drivers for the parks, and the closures come at an unfortunate time for both the industry and tourists.
Among the visitors affected are Nicole and Zeb Downs, who drove 21 hours from Arkansas to enjoy a 12-day vacation with their three children. We are disappointed, but it’s out of our hands at this point,” said Zeb Downs as he and his family walked through the Disney Springs shopping district, which remains open for now.
Animal Safety During the Hurricane
United Parks and Resorts, which operates SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens, has taken steps to protect the animals in their care during the hurricane. According to a spokesperson, a dedicated team of animal care experts, including veterinarians, will stay on-site around the clock to ensure the animals’ well-being.
The animals will remain in buildings designed to withstand the power of a Category 5 hurricane, and a recovery team will assess the habitats once the storm passes.
Universal Orlando Resort Closures
In addition to Disney and SeaWorld, Universal Orlando Resort will also close its doors ahead of Hurricane Milton. Universal Studios Florida and other nearby locations will be closed to guests starting Wednesday, with no firm reopening date provided until the storm passes.
Wider Impact on Florida Travel and Cruise Industries
The effects of Hurricane Milton extend beyond theme parks. Hurricane Milton is also disrupting cruise ship operations, with Tampa’s port already closed and Jacksonville’s dock scheduled to shut down on Wednesday.
Some cruise ships have extended their stays in Mexico and other destinations due to this, while other voyages have experienced delays or cancellations.
As the storm intensifies, Miami’s port will likely close. Additionally, airports in Tampa suspended operations on Tuesday; other Florida airports, including those in Orlando, Sarasota, Clearwater, and Fort Myers, were scheduled to cease operations on Wednesday.
As Florida braces for Hurricane Milton, theme parks and travel industries are taking all necessary precautions to ensure safety. While the closures may disrupt vacation plans, the priority remains to protect visitors, staff, and wildlife.
We encourage both residents and tourists to stay updated on the latest developments and prepare for the storm’s impact in the coming days.
The Information is Collected from ABC News and CBS News.
