Disney to Close Early Tonight in Preparation for Tropical Storm Nicole

With Tropical Storm Nicole approaching Central Florida, Walt Disney World has announced precautions in the interest of Guest and Cast Member safety. The storm, which is expected to strengthen to a hurricane over the next few hours, is expected to make landfall this evening in Brevard County before moving west toward Central Florida.

Credit: NOAA

In an abundance of caution, Walt Disney World has announced that they will be closing early this evening. The parks will experience a phased closing beginning close at 5:00 pm and likely not open at their regularly scheduled times tomorrow morning (Thursday November 10, 2022).

According to their website the phased closing is as follows:

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Closing today, Nov. 9, at 5 p.m. with last dining reservations at 5 p.m.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Closing today, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. with last dining reservations at 6 p.m.
• Magic Kingdom Park: Closing today, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. Last dining reservations for Be Our Guest, Liberty Tree Tavern, Diamond Horseshoe and Cinderella’s Royal Table will be at 6 p.m., and last dining for all other dining reservations will be at 6:30 p.m.
• EPCOT: Closing today, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. Last dining reservations for Monsieur Paul, Space 220 Restaurant, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Garden Grill Restaurant will be at 6 p.m., and last dining for all other dining reservations will be at 6:30 p.m.

This comes after they initially announced and then walked back plans to close and evacuate Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

Credit: Disney

Universal Orlando, at the time of this writing is still operating normally with the exception of its Volcano Bay water park which is closed today and expected (but not yet announced) to remain open tomorrow as well.

Credit: Jill Bivins

Storms like Nicole can be unpredictable and change rapidly.  Stay tuned right here for all of the latest information regarding the storm. We are closley monitoring the situation and will continue to bring you updates as they happen in this rapidly developing storm.