Will Disney World close for Hurricane Milton? Storm affects flights, theme parks (2024)

Texans who plan to travel to Florida during the school break may be worried about their vacation plans. A hurricane warning is in effect acrossCentral Florida ahead ofHurricane Milton's expected arrival on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

Hundreds of flights have been canceled as of 7:30 a.m. MT Tuesday, Oct. 8, and more than 1,500 have been canceled for Wednesday, according to flight-tracking websiteFlightAware, as airlines and airports in the storm’s path prepare for its impact.

However, for travelers departing from El Paso, no flight delays or cancellations were reported at the El Paso International Airport as of 8 a.m. Oct. 8, according to the same flight-tracking website. There are no delays on flights for Wednesday, Oct. 9, either.

The Category 4 hurricane had weakened slightly but is still expected to pack some devastating hurricane-force winds, according to theNational Hurricane Center,and could producehistoric floods.

Over the weekend, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 51 counties, including those ofevery major theme park in the state.

Here’s what travelers headed to Florida should know.

How is Hurricane Milton impacting flights?

Nearly 700 U.S. flights have been canceled as of 9:30 a.m. ET Tuesday and more than 1,500 have already been canceled for Wednesday, according FlightAware.

Carriers includingAmerican Airlines,Delta Air Lines,Southwest AirlinesandUnited Airlineshave issued waivers that allow travelers going to or from some Florida airports to change their tickets for no extra charge, even if they purchased a basic economy fare. Customers can check their airline’s website for specific details on travel advisories.

American Airlines alsoadded more than 2,000 seatsto flights leaving Tampa and Sarasota Bradenton International Airports Monday and Tuesday to help people get out ahead of the storm. Passengers are advised to be at their gates when boarding starts, or their seats could be given to standby passengers.

Which airports are closing for Hurricane Milton?

Statements from Tampa and Orlando's airports say they will reopen as soon as it is safe.

Will Disney World close for Hurricane Milton? Storm affects flights, theme parks (2)

Which Florida airports are still open?

For now,Daytona Beach International Airport,Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport,Jacksonville International Airport,Key West International Airport,Melbourne Orlando International Airport,Miami International Airport,Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport,Orlando Sanford International Airport,Palm Beach International Airport are all open but monitoring the storm. However, some flights at these airports have been canceled.

Travelers should monitor airline updates and consider taking advantage of flexible change policies if they don’t have to travel.

If aflight gets canceledfor any reason, customers are entitled to a refund, according to Department of Transportation rules.

Is Disney World closing for Hurricane Milton?

Walt Disney World Resort's theme parks are still operating as normal, as it closely follows the storm. However, it will close several resort areas. 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 temporarily close at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Guests can find updates onDisney World’s website.

Whenever the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for Orlando, as it has for Milton, or wherever guests live within seven days of their scheduled arrival, guests may cancel or changevacation packages or hotel reservationsbooked directly through the Walt Disney Travel Company without penalty. Unused tickets retain value, and guests may change ticket dates forfuture use.

Walt Disney World includes Magic Kingdom,EPCOT,Disney’s Hollywood Studios,Disney’s Animal Kingdom,Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park (which is currently closed for the season), Disney Springs, ESPN Wide World of Sports, multiple golf and mini golf courses, andvarious resort hotels.

Will Disney World close for Hurricane Milton? Storm affects flights, theme parks (3)

Is Universal Orlando open?

Universal Orlando Resortis operating normally and closely monitoring the storm. Anychanges will be announced onUniversal Orlando’s websiteand social media.

When the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane or tropical storm warning for the Orlando area orwherever a guest lives within seven days of their scheduled arrival, guests may cancel or changevacation packages, hotel reservations, or park ticketsbooked directly through Universal without penalty.

Universal Orlando Resort includes Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure,Universal Volcano Baywater park,Universal CityWalkandnumerous resort hotels.

Is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay open?

Busch Gardens Tampa Baywill be closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, according to its parent company, United Parks & Resorts. Dated park tickets have been automatically extended for use on any date through the end of the year.

Howl-O-Scream is canceled for Thursday, but tickets may be used on any other Howl-O-Scream night this season.

Busch Garden Tampa Bay's sister water park is Adventure Island was already scheduled to be closed through Thursday, according to its seasonal operations calendar.

Guests are encouraged to checkUnited Parks & Resort's websiteand social media for reopening details and additional updates.

Is SeaWorld Orlando open?

SeaWorld Orlando is open and actively monitoring the hurricane. Its sister park, Aquatica Orlando, also plans to open on Tuesday.

However, their sister park, Discovery Cove Orlando, has enacted itsnamed storm policyfor Wednesday and Thursday and is offering to reschedule trips to another date.

All three parks are also part of United Parks & Resorts, and guests are encouraged to check theparent company's websiteand social media for storm-related updates.

Additionally, Busch Gardens and SeaWorld have aWeather-or-Not Assurancepolicy that guarantees the value of park tickets through all types of inclement weather so guests can return later.

Is LEGOLAND Florida open?

LEGOLAND Florida Resortis operating normally for now but will close Wednesday and Thursday, according to its website. The hotel will operate with limited capacity. Guests are encouraged to checkLEGOLAND Florida’s websiteand social media for additional updates.

Guests maycancel or reschedule visitswithout penalty when the National Hurricane Center issues a tropical storm or hurricane warning for Central Florida within seven days of their scheduled arrival. Beyond that, LEGOLAND Florida has aRainy Day Promise,allowing guests to use existing tickets for a future visit within one year of park closures for inclement weather.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort includes LEGOLAND Florida, LEGOLAND Florida Water Park, Peppa Pig Theme Park and several resort hotels.

How is Hurricane Milton impacting cruises?

MultipleRoyal Caribbean Internationalitineraries have been impacted so far, and the line said it notified all passengers directly. Passengers unsure if their sailing is affected should check with the line.

Celebrity Cruises’Celebrity Reflection will replace a stop in Key West on Tuesday with Nassau. The shipwill leave from Fort Lauderdale on Monday.

Carnival Cruise Line’sCarnival Pride ship moved its three-day visit to Bermuda – scheduled to start on Wednesday – up by one day, the cruise linesaid on its website. The vesselleft from Baltimore, Maryland, on Sunday.Carnival Paradise, whichleft from Tampa on Sunday, will visit Costa Maya in place of Cozumel, while Carnival Valor, whichleft New Orleans on Saturday, will replace a stop in Cozumel with a sea day.

Disney Cruise Line’sDisney Magic will visit Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point one day earlier than planned on Wednesday and spend the day at sea on Thursday. The shipleft from Fort Lauderdaleon Monday and will also stop in Nassau on Friday rather than Wednesday.

TheMargaritaville at SeaIslander departed on Monday from Tampa rather than Tuesday. The ship’s itinerary will be modified, and additional information “regarding the adjusted itinerary will be made (available) as plans are confirmed,” according tothe line’s website.

MSC Cruises’ MSC Magnifica’sMonday cruise from Miamiwill visit Puerto Plata on Wednesday, and skip planned stops at the line’sOcean Cay MSC Marine Reservein the Bahamas on Tuesday and Nassau on Thursday.

Virgin Voyages’Valiant Lady will replace its Wednesday sea day with a stop in Cozumel. The ship, whichleft from Miami on Sunday, will also skip a call in Bimini in the Bahamas on Thursday, spending the day at sea instead.

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Source: USAToday

Will Disney World close for Hurricane Milton? Storm affects flights, theme parks (2024)
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