Hurricane Milton’s Path Directly Targets Disney and Universal: Full List of Probable Closures
Hurricane Milton is gaining strength as it approaches the Florida coastline.
Initially a tropical storm, it has rapidly intensified and is now projected to become a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 mph. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) anticipates landfall near Tampa Bay by midweek, with its trajectory indicating a direct path towards Central Florida, including Orlando. According to NHC specialists, the storm’s intensification is attributed to favorable atmospheric conditions and warm sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico.
As of the latest update, Milton had sustained winds reaching 60 mph while moving eastward at 5 mph. The risk of “life-threatening impacts” for Florida’s west coast is heightening, prompting warnings from local authorities. This storm follows closely on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which wreaked havoc along the Florida coast just weeks prior.
As reported:
“Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Milton, which could bring Category 3 winds and surge, or worst, to the Florida peninsula.
Areas at the greatest risk are communities still reeling from last month’s Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Ian in 2022.
The state of emergency includes the following counties: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia.
Milton is expected to rapidly intensify over the next 36 hours and could be a major Category 3 hurricane when it reaches the west coast of the Florida peninsula mid-week and brings the risk of life-threatening impacts to portions of the state’s west coast, the National Hurricane Center said.”
Impact on Disney and Universal Parks
The impending threat of Hurricane Milton has led to significant operational decisions by major theme parks in Central Florida, including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.
This comes just after Hurricane Helene tore through the coast of Florida.
To prepare for that storm, the theme parks made a few adjustments to their operations.
At Disney World, only a few changes were made. Typhoon Lagoon, the water park, was closed for the day, which was expected given the storm. Disney is known to close the park even for cold weather at short notice, and with heavy rain, the water park wouldn’t be suitable for guests anyway.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was also canceled in advance, a smart decision by Disney.
Guests are typically allowed to request a date change, even if the price increases, if the parade cannot proceed due to weather. With the heavy rainfall forecasted from Hurricane Helene, Disney likely avoided a long line of drenched guests at City Hall requesting date changes.
Additionally, the mini-golf courses at Disney were closed.
Similar measures were taken at Universal Orlando Resort. Volcano Bay, Universal’s water park, also shut down, and Halloween Horror Nights was canceled the evening Hurricane Helene hit.
Other nearby parks, such as Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, opted to close for the day as well.
With Hurricane Milton expected to arrive on a Sunday, we can anticipate similar operational adjustments. If the storm intensifies, there’s a possibility that the parks could fully close down.
Hotel Reservations Affected at Disney World
Walt Disney World has proactively paused all hotel reservations for October 9 and 10, suggesting preparations for potential evacuations. This action allows the resort to ensure there is adequate accommodation available for Cast Members, known as the “ride-out crew,” who are essential for facilitating operational continuity during severe weather events.
No official communication has confirmed the reasoning behind the pause in reservations; however, past experiences during hurricanes suggest that Disney typically retains the ability to accommodate essential staff members at its hotels.
In previous hurricane situations, the resort has provided additional services such as entertainment and activities for guests staying at the lodges, ensuring that their experience remains as comfortable as possible during challenging circumstances.
Broader Florida Emergency Measures
In light of the threatening weather conditions, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 35 counties across the state, including those heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene. This declaration enables quicker deployment of state resources to support local emergency response efforts.
Local authorities have initiated sandbagging operations, establishing numerous distribution sites for residents to collect materials aimed at flood prevention. Flood watches and warnings are in effect throughout the state, with many areas expected to experience heavy rainfall, which could range from 4 to 12 inches. The NHC warns that significant runoff may lead to flooding of low-lying areas and overwhelm local drainage systems.
With the approaching Category 3 Hurricane Milton, residents are being urged to prepare for severe conditions, including the likelihood of flash flooding and strong winds. Emergency management officials advise citizens to remain informed and enact their hurricane preparedness plans.
As the situation continues to evolve, monitoring updates from the National Hurricane Center and local authorities remains crucial for understanding the track of Hurricane Milton and its potential impacts on Central Florida’s vital amusement parks and surrounding communities.
Would you visit Disney in a storm like this?
