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Hurricane Milton closes Florida theme parks. Here’s when


When is the Atlantic Hurricane Season? Every year from June 1 to November 30, with the most active part between August and October. The peak of the hurricane season was September 10.

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A hurricane is coming, which undoubtedly means these questions arise: Where is it going and will Disney World in Florida close?

Less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene’s devastating wrath on the southeastern region of the country, weather experts are tracking Hurricane Milton as it makes its way toward Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 54 counties ahead of the storm, including Orange County and Hillsborough, home to Florida’s top theme parks.

Here’s a look at what we know about Hurricane Milton, how to track Milton’s path, and Florida’s theme park policy regarding severe weather as of Tuesday, October 8.

Where is Milton as of Tuesday, October 8?

Hurricane Milton is still in the Gulf of Mexico and continues to move toward the Florida Peninsula as a very strong Category 4 storm with winds exceeding 150 miles per hour.

Devastating impacts are forecast for Florida, including life-threatening storm surge, flooding rain and damaging winds, as the storm is expected to make landfall somewhere on the Gulf Coast, possibly in the Tampa Bay or pointing south, and then move across the state are hurtling along a largely northeastern track that threatens the Orlando area and northeastern beach communities.

Stay informed: Hurricane Milton live updates: DeSantis provides the latest information on Florida’s response

Is Disney World in Orlando closed due to Hurricane Milton?

Walt Disney World theme parks are operating under normal conditions; However, they had closed the option to make park reservations for Tuesday, October 8th and Wednesday, October 9th.

They’ve made some adjustments based on the latest weather forecast and some areas with unique environments:

  • Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground (including dining and recreation locations), the Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will be temporarily closed beginning Wednesday, October 9 at 11:00 AM.
  • Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will likely remain closed until Sunday, October 13.
  • The Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will likely reopen on Friday, October 11.

Officials have not posted any statements about the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party event.

What is Disney World’s hurricane policy? Can I get a refund?

According to its website, Walt Disney World Resort will make exceptions to its standard policies and provide refunds in the event of a hurricane if the National Hurricane Center issues a warning for the Orlando area or a visitor’s place of residence within seven days of the “scheduled date” . arrival date,” if tickets and reservations were booked directly through Disney. Dates are also subject to change.

You will need to contact any third party suppliers you have booked with.

Have people been evacuated to Disney World because of a hurricane?

In previous hurricanes, the company has also offered deals to residents who needed a safe place to evacuate and shelter in the storm. During 2023’s Hurricane Nicole, Disney offered 50% off Disney resort hotel stays on select dates for evacuees, adding that the company had strict check-in times.

Are Universal Studios and Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure in Florida closed due to Hurricane Milton?

Universal Orlando’s theme parks are still open to the public and are posting Tuesday hours on social media. In a statement on their website, they said they are closely monitoring the storm and will provide updates.

Universal Studios Hurricane Policy

Universal Orlando’s website states that they “can’t make any guarantees about weather, but your travel plans can still be stress-free.”

“In the event that a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center or a state of emergency is declared for the Orlando area or in your hometown within seven days of arrival, please contact our team in advance to arrange your Universal Reschedule or cancel any Parks & Resorts Vacations package, hotel room accommodations, and Universal Orlando theme park tickets you booked directly with Universal Orlando without incurring any cancellation or change fees.”

Is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay closed due to Hurricane Milton?

Busch Gardens officials sent out a press release Monday: “After assessing the latest path of Hurricane Milton and to ensure the safety of our ambassadors, guests and animals, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will be closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8-10 October .

“Our weather preparedness plan has been put in place and extra precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of our animals during this time.”

Is SeaWorld Orlando closed due to Hurricane Milton?

SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica are still open and officials state they will continue to monitor conditions.

Discovery Cove is open, but closes on Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10. The website posted a statement for those coming on those dates.

Our Guest Services team is ready to assist you in rescheduling your date to a surrounding date. Contact our Guest Services team, you can email [email protected] or call to 407-513-4600. Please include your reservation number and “Hurricane rebooking” in the subject line of the email. We apologize for any inconvenience caused to your party and we look forward to welcoming you.

SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Hurricane Policy

Historically, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, which share the same parent company, have closed their parks and offered refunds to park visitors in light of approaching hurricanes. They have also extended the expiration dates of annual pass holders to account for the closed days.

Although the theme parks remain open if the weather doesn’t cooperate, both websites state that they offer a ‘Weather-or-Not Guarantee’ with their tickets.

“Your visit is covered by our Weather-or-Not Assurance program. This program guarantees the value of your park admission and applies year-round and covers weather events such as rain, lightning, extreme heat, wind, snow, hail and more. park officials share.

Restrictions include:

  • The following are not eligible for Weather-or-Not Assurance tickets: Pass Member access; free tickets (including Weather-or-Not Assurance tickets); Tickets and packages for a 14-day stay; Discovery Cove ticket packages.
  • The following may not be eligible and must be verified with Guest Relations: Promotional/discount tickets (group sale tickets) and promotional multi-day tickets.
  • The Weather-or-Not Guarantee does not apply to parking or additional products or experiences in the park

You will need to visit Guest Relations at the park or submit your details online to request your next visit. Make sure you have your original admission ticket or order number with you.

Is LEGOLAND Florida closed due to Hurricane Milton?

LEGOLAND Florida is currently open at a limited capacity, but will be closed on Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10.

LEGOLAND Hurricane Policy in Florida

On its website, LEGOLAND Florida states that the safety of “guests and model citizens is our top priority.”

“If the National Hurricane Center issues a tropical storm or hurricane warning for the Central Florida area – or for your place of residence – within seven days prior to your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your visit to LEGOLAND Florida Resort without any fine or costs imposed by LEGOLAND and/or Merlin Entertainments.

This policy only applies to LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park tickets, LEGOLAND Water Park tickets, Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida tickets and the various theme park hotel reservations booked directly with LEGOLAND Florida Resort or LEGOLAND Vacations, as well as partner hotel reservations and – packages booked through LEGOLAND Holidays.

Is Gatorland Orlando closed due to Hurricane Milton?

The “Alligator Capital of the World,” also known as Gatorland Orlando, will close its theme park on Wednesday and Thursday, October 9 and 10, due to Category 5 Hurricane Milton.

According to a press release sent to FLORIDA TODAY, which is part of the USA TODAY Network, “With the arrival of Hurricane Milton expected to impact our area on Wednesday, Gatorland has decided to close the park “on the aforementioned dates.” close for the safety of its animals, guests and employees.”

The press release continued: “Gatorland has a comprehensive hurricane preparedness plan that calls for proper care of all animals staying at the theme park, and a team of dedicated employees will stay at the park to continue to care for the animals. during and after the storm.”

Despite the temporary, weather-related closure of the Orlando theme park, the first weekend of the Gators, Ghosts and Goblins Halloween event was still scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, October 12 and 13. Visit gatorland.com.

Is Fun Spot America closed due to Hurricane Milton?

As of Tuesday, October 8, the two theme parks in Orlando are still open. Officials have not released any statement about Milton or upcoming closures.