By mid-August, Florida’s skies can shift quickly — bright mornings giving way to storm clouds and weather alerts. While Orlando often escapes the worst of Atlantic hurricanes, the city is no stranger to tropical systems making their way inland. And with the peak of the season approaching, Central Florida’s theme parks are once again watching the tropics closely.
From June 1 to November 30, the region falls under the Atlantic hurricane season, with the most active window stretching from mid-August to mid-October. It’s during this period that storms can gain strength and move far beyond the coast, as seen with Hurricane Charley in August 2004.
Disney’s Hurricane Playbook
Walt Disney World Resort has faced temporary closures during several past storms, including Charley in 2004, Matthew in 2016, Irma in 2017, and Ian in 2022. While the resort often avoids direct hits, safety protocols are strict when hurricanes threaten.
When storms approach, Disney closes its four main parks and suspends transportation services. On-site resort hotels remain open, though some locations — such as The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort — may be evacuated. Guests are typically encouraged to shelter in place while Disney modifies its services, offering indoor activities like character meet-and-greets and movie screenings.
In 2024, Hurricane Milton forced the closure of Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The resort also canceled one night of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in anticipation of Hurricane Helene and closed Typhoon Lagoon. The disruptions contributed to an estimated $120 million loss during last year’s season.
Tropical Storm Erin Gains Strength
The 2025 season’s first potential threat to Florida may already be forming. The National Hurricane Center reports that Tropical Storm Erin, which originated as a cluster of storms off Africa’s western coast, was about 690 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands earlier today. Forecasters expect it to become a Category 1 hurricane on August 14 before intensifying further into a major hurricane — defined as Category 3 or higher — over the weekend.
At this stage, Erin is projected to eventually turn northward, but the exact track remains uncertain. It’s too soon to predict any direct effects on Florida, including Orlando’s major theme parks. Even without a landfall, the system could bring increased rainfall to Central Florida, potentially affecting ride operations.
Outdoor attractions are often the first to close during storms or heavy rain. At Disney World, that could mean temporary shutdowns for Slinky Dog Dash, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Expedition Everest. Universal Orlando Resort could see similar impacts on rides like VelociCoaster and Hollywood Rip Ride RockIt, which is nearing its permanent closure later this month.
Disney’s hurricane policy allows guests to reschedule or cancel hotel packages and most room-only reservations without fees if the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for the Orlando area. The policy also applies to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort.
For now, we’re watching the forecasts closely, with more definitive updates expected as Tropical Storm Erin’s path becomes clearer in the coming days.
Stay tuned for further updates on Tropical Storm Erin’s impact on Disney World.
