Hurricane Milton has made its mark on Florida, causing disruptions across the state, but theme park fans can breathe a sigh of relief: Universal Orlando Resort is gearing up to reopen this Friday, October 11, following a brief closure due to the storm.
As the hurricane barreled through, Universal made the decision to shut down its parks, CityWalk, and Halloween Horror Nights for two days (Wednesday and Thursday) to ensure guest safety and allow time to assess any potential damage.
For those tracking the aftermath, there was plenty of anticipation about how much the resort had been affected by the hurricane. Theme park enthusiast account @bioreconstruct took to X to provide updates, revealing that Universal Orlando experienced only minor damage during the storm.
Universal area streets and resort walkways mostly clear. Couple of heavier areas of tree issues seen here. After Hurricane Milton. pic.twitter.com/j6d8tp89WO
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) October 10, 2024
This news is a huge relief for both fans and the Universal team, who are working hard to get everything back to normal.
Some street sign damage on Hollywood Way at Universal Orlando from Hurricane Milton. pic.twitter.com/ekRVVi23kt
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) October 10, 2024
Universal’s official statement reassured guests that the parks will be fully operational by Friday:
“Our hearts are with all those impacted by Hurricane Milton, and we are dedicated to helping our community recovery. We are also grateful for the hard work of our Team Members during this challenging time. On Friday, Oct. 11, we look forward to welcoming back our guests as we return to our normal operation across all our theme parks, CityWalk, and Halloween Horror Nights inclusive of Early Park Admission for Universal Orlando Hotel guests, Premier Passholders, and Preferred Passholders.”
This reopening includes everything—from theme parks to the thrilling Halloween Horror Nights. Fans who were worried about missing out on the spooky event can now rest easy. Universal’s Early Park Admission will also be reinstated for hotel guests and passholders, allowing early access to the attractions.
For theme park lovers, the rapid recovery and reopening are a testament to Universal’s resilience. While some storm damage was inevitable, the park’s minimal impact is great news for fans. Whether you were looking forward to riding VelociCoaster or screaming your way through a Halloween Horror Nights maze, everything will be back in action by Friday.
As for the community and Universal’s team members, there’s still plenty of recovery work ahead, but this quick reopening is a positive step forward. If you’ve got plans to visit this weekend, get ready to enjoy the rides, shows, and dining you’ve been looking forward to!
