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Some Walt Disney World guests are expressing frustration after being denied refunds for unused Lightning Lane reservations following park closures due to Hurricane Milton. The powerful storm swept through the area on October 9th and 10th, leading to the closure of the Disney parks for two consecutive days. Despite these unprecedented conditions, some guests are reporting difficulties in obtaining refunds for unused Lightning Lane passes.
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Credit: National Hurricane Center
Closure Leads to Refused Refunds
One guest, who shared their experience online, voiced disappointment with Disney’s response after Hurricane Milton. They explained that they had purchased Lightning Lane access in advance for October 10, expecting to make the most of their visit. However, with the parks closed due to the hurricane, they were unable to use the passes they had already paid for, totaling $138.
The guest claims that despite reaching out to Disney support on three separate occasions, they were repeatedly denied a refund. They shared on FaceBook:
“Extremely disappointed in Walt Disney World!!! We were there through Hurricane Milton and they closed the park on 10/9 and 10/10,” the guest wrote in an online post. “We had Lightning Lane pre-purchased for 10/10. We couldn’t use them as the park was closed due to the hurricane. THEY REFUSED TO REFUND AFTER THREE SEPARATE PHONE CALLS. What else do I do?”
Disney has yet to release an official statement regarding refund policies for Lightning Lane reservations affected by weather-related closures. Typically, the company offers compensation for unexpected closures on a case-by-case basis, with options that may include rescheduling or refunding certain reservations. However, reports indicate that policies around Lightning Lane refunds have been inconsistent, especially during severe weather events.
Credit: Josh Rich on Unsplash
Will Disney Change Their Mind?
With no formal refund forthcoming, guests like the one in this report are left questioning Disney’s approach to customer service, especially in the face of uncontrollable events like hurricanes. Some guests suggest persistent follow-up with Disney support, while others recommend sharing their experiences through social media channels to increase visibility.
For now, affected guests are continuing to seek alternative ways to address their concerns, but the incident highlights a growing call for clearer policies around cancellations and refunds when natural disasters disrupt travel plans.
