Here's what happens when Disney World is hit by a hurricane

09.10.2024 - 06:23 / thepointsguy.com

As Hurricane Milton swirls toward Florida as a Category 4 storm, residents in the hurricane's path — including in Central Florida — are preparing for the storm by stocking up on necessities like food, water and fuel. For those visiting Disney World, however, there's a different list of decisions to think through, like whether they should return home early and what to do if they get stuck at Disney.

Orlando International Airport (MCO) has announced it will shut down ahead of the storm starting at 8 a.m. on Wed., Oct. 9, 2024. And Disney has now said that their parks will close on Wed., Oct. 9, in phases. First, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park will close at 1 p.m. Then Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney Springs will close at 2 p.m. Disney says the theme parks will likely remain closed on Thurs., Oct. 10.

If you are supposed to visit Disney tomorrow, you should cancel, it is not the right time to go. However, if you're already in Orlando, there is some important information to know.

Related: Bonus vacation or choppy nightmare? Here's what it's like on a cruise ship stuck at sea during a hurricane

Back when Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Florida's southwestern coast in 2022, reports quickly came in of flooding, power outages, high winds and dangerous storm surges on the coast. While the Orlando area is not on the coast, the storm's impact was still felt in Central Florida.

Like Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Milton is expected to affect other parts of the state, including Orlando, when it makes landfall on Wednesday. You should avoid traveling to Central Florida if you can. However, if you know you'll have to be at Walt Disney World for this storm, here's a look at the current situation for guests already on the ground and who have a trip booked in the coming days, plus what it's like to ride out a hurricane at Disney.

Since opening in 1971, Disney has only closed nine times due to hurricanes. Closures have lasted anywhere from a few hours to several days, with the longest weather-related closure coming during Hurricane Frances in 2004 when portions of Disney remained closed for three full days. Milton will now officially be the tenth.

In addition to the park closing info, above, note that Disney has announced that Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort (including dining and recreation locations), the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and the Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will temporarily close beginning at 11 a.m on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.
According to Disney, Fort Wilderness Resort and the Treehouse Villas are likely to remain closed until Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024; the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins will likely