For a company built on the promise of uninterrupted magic, seeing a Disney park close mid-visit is rare.
Guests at Hong Kong Disneyland experienced just that today, as operations were suspended midway through the day and the resort prepared for an approaching super typhoon. The sudden halt underscored how even the “happiest place on earth” cannot outrun the weather.
Disney’s parks are designed to operate year-round, with closures considered a last resort. In the past, only extraordinary events have led to shutdowns — from global tragedies such as the 9/11 attacks and the assassination of John F. Kennedy to the unprecedented worldwide closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet weather has always been the most consistent adversary.
At Walt Disney World in Florida, hurricanes loom large each season, though the resort has so far avoided any closures in 2025. In Hong Kong, where the climate is prone to typhoons, Disney’s presence has been far more vulnerable. While outdoor rides are often suspended during strong winds, the full-scale closure of the park mid-operation signals a storm of exceptional strength.
Super Typhoon Ragasa Brings Operations to a Halt
Super Typhoon Ragasa, described by meteorologists as the most powerful storm on Earth so far this year, is barreling toward Hong Kong with sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 230 kilometers per hour. Local authorities issued Typhoon Signal 8 at 2:20 p.m., a warning that effectively shuts down most businesses and transit services across the city.
For Disney, the decision was immediate once conditions worsened. “Hong Kong is currently affected by a typhoon. Due to inclement weather, Hong Kong Disneyland is closed,” read a statement on the resort’s website.
The accompanying notice confirmed that Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre, located near the park, would also remain closed until further notice.
Due to super typhoon Ragasa, Hong Kong Disneyland closed early today and various wind protection measures can be seen throughout the park.
#HKDL #HongKongDisneyland
Due to super typhoon Ragasa, Hong Kong Disneyland closed early today and various wind protection measures can be seen throughout the park.#HKDL #HongKongDisneyland pic.twitter.com/ave9p8GAu0
— HKDL Fantasy (@hkdlfantasy) September 23, 2025
Although Hong Kong Disneyland welcomed guests this morning, it ceased operations by mid-afternoon as the storm intensified. Cast members quickly rolled out protective measures across the property in an effort to reduce damage from Ragasa’s impending landfall. Guests were ushered out as winds surged, leaving the usually bustling park eerily silent.
Flight Cancellations and Uncertain Days Ahead
The storm’s impact stretches far beyond the park itself.
According to the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong International Airport has already cancelled more than 700 flights. The airport warned of “significant disruption,” creating ripple effects for visitors who had planned trips to or from the resort.
Hong Kong Disneyland has confirmed that it will remain closed tomorrow, September 24. Much depends on Ragasa’s trajectory and the extent of cleanup required once the storm passes. The uncertainty leaves guests — some of whom traveled internationally for the park’s newest attractions — in limbo.
Just yesterday, the resort had managed to remain open under Strong Wind Signal No. 3, a less severe advisory that nevertheless forced the closure of all outdoor attractions. Rides like Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs, RC Racer, Jungle River Cruise, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars were unavailable.
Has your Disney trip been impacted by Typhoon Ragasa?
