AUTHOR’S NOTE: This post was started just before Hurricane Milton was named, and we have been updating it daily, sometimes multiple times daily, on how the storm is predicted to affect the Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resorts. You can scroll to read through the updates as each one is separated and marked clearly with the date and time of the update, with the most recent update below this paragraph. The most current Walt Disney World information is here and Universal Orlando Resort update is here.
UPDATE 10/11/24 7 pm: Walt Disney World’s theme parks, Disney Springs, and both mini-golf courses are now operating at regular hours. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will reopen on Sunday, Oct. 13.
UPDATE 10/11/24 11:30 am: The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port has set Port Condition Four for Port Canaveral, i.e., the Port has reopened with no restrictions. Waterside and landside operations are normal. Jetty Park day park and beach remains closed and will reopen Saturday morning, Oct. 12, at 7 am. However, the Jetty Park Campground and Fishing Pier remains closed until further notice.
UPDATE 10/10/24 2:30 pm: Orlando International Airport (MCO) just announced that they will resume departing flights on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Although we’ll receive a few domestic arrivals this evening, no departures or international flights will occur. Please don’t come to the airport for a departing flight tonight. Departures begin tomorrow. Check with your airline for updates.
The Canaveral Port Authority conducted an initial assessment following Hurricane Milton and noted that roadways are accessible, but they advise landside operations to exercise caution when returning to the Port. At this time, all waterside and vessel shoreside operations remain at Condition ZULU (i.e., remain CLOSED) until channel surveys are conducted and evaluations of vessel restrictions can be completed.
UPDATE 10/10/24 12 noon: Walt Disney World, Disney Springs, and Universal Orlando Resort have confirmed that they will reopen to guests tomorrow, Friday, October 11, 2024. Their official statements are below.
We’re grateful Walt Disney World Resort weathered the storm, and we are currently assessing the impacts to our property to prepare for reopening the theme parks, Disney Springs and possibly other areas on Friday, October 11. Our hearts are with our fellow Floridians who were impacted by this storm.
Disney
UPDATE 10/10/24 11:30 am: A Wind Advisory has been issued for Orange and Osceola Counties with 20 to 30 mph northwest winds with gusts up to 40 to 45 mph. Strong winds may blow around unsecured objects, knock down tree limbs, and potentially cause a few power outages. Winds that are this strong can make driving challenging, especially for high-profile vehicles. Exercise extra caution during any cleanup efforts today.
This Wind Advisory will remain in effect until 8 pm EDT on October 10, 2024.
UPDATE 10/10/24 9:30 am: The shelter-in-place advisory has been lifted for both the Walt Disney World Resort and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. All other advisories from the 7:30 am update still apply.
UPDATE 10/10/24 7:30 am: Walt Disney World and Vero Beach Resort Hotel guests have been asked to continue to shelter inside while the storm’s impacts are assessed. Disney will advise folks when it is safe to be outdoors.
The Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks, recreation offerings and Disney Springs are now closed through Thursday, October 10.
Operational impacts include:
Theme Parks & Disney Springs
All theme parks and Disney Springs—including the parking garages—are currently closed and will remain closed on Thursday, October 10. This includes the cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (event tickets will be refunded).
For partially used multi-day tickets, ticket expiration dates will be adjusted to expire on October 11, 2025. View more details.
Please note that the theme park and Disney Springs restaurant hours displayed on the Walt Disney World website and My Disney Experience app are based on normal operating hours. They do not reflect changes due to Hurricane Milton.
Disney Resort Hotel Closures
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are temporarily closed. They are likely to remain closed until Sunday, October 13.
Disney Resort Hotels – Food and Dining
Disney continues to operate select dining locations for guests who are currently staying in Disney Resort hotels. Please check the food and dining pages for Disney Resort hotels on this website or via the My Disney Experience app for the latest details. Please be aware that operating hours and availability may be adjusted as necessary without prior notice.
Additionally, it is recommended that you plan ahead and stop by any food court or quick-service dining location to pre-purchase breakfast and lunch for Thursday, October 10.
Disney Resort Hotels – Activities
The following activities may be available for you to enjoy at your Disney Resort hotel:
- Free Disney movies in your Resort hotel room
- Visit the lobby for surprise Character visits and more family fun
- Check out the arcade for free play starting at 4:00 PM
- Visit the fitness center during normal operating hours
Operating hours and availability may be adjusted as necessary without prior notice.
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
Wind & Waves Grill is closed for dinner on Wednesday, October 9, and for breakfast on Thursday, October 10. The Spa at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort is closed through Thursday, October 10.
Transportation
- Walt Disney World Transportation is temporarily unavailable.
- Minnie Van service is temporarily unavailable.
Recreation
The following locations are closed through Thursday, October 10:
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park
- Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf
- Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park remains closed for planned refurbishment.
Reservations for Dining and Other Experiences
Effective immediately, Disney will not enforce cancellation policies until further notice for dining and other experiences.
Prepaid bookable experiences will be automatically refunded within 7 to 10 business days.
UPDATE 10/9/24 8:30 pm: Hurricane Milton touched down as a Category 3 Major Hurricane in Siesta Key near Sarasota, FL.
A sustained wind of 64 mph (104 km/h) and a gust of 93 mph was recently reported at the Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg. A sustained wind of 78 mph and a gust of 100 mph was recently reported at a WeatherFlow station at Egmont Channel. A sustained wind of 73 mph and a gust of 102 mph was recently reported at a WeatherFlow station at Skyway Fishing Pier. A gust of 60 mph was recently reported at the Orlando Executive Airport.
UPDATE 10/9/24 6 pm: The captain of the Disney Wish just announced to passengers that the plan is to return to Port Canaveral on Sunday, Oct. 13 (h/t: Scott Sanders). The ship was originally due to return on Friday, Oct. 11. You may recall that Disney Cruise Line already canceled the Oct. 11th sailing on the Disney Wish.
Devastating hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the west coast of Florida within the Hurricane Warning area. Life-threatening hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, are expected to spread inland across the peninsula and to portions of the Florida east coast within the Hurricane Warning area tonight and early Thursday. The risk of strong tornadoes will continue into the evening across the southern and central portions of the Florida Peninsula. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, be prepared to take immediate shelter in an interior room.
UPDATE 10/9/24 4 pm: WESH2 just confirmed that a tornado crossed 192 on the ground in Osceola County. The tornado warnings remain in effect until 4:30 and 4:45 pm, respectively, but are changing by the minute. Flash Flood warnings are now in effect for Orange and Osceola Counties.
UPDATE 10/9/24 3:30 pm: The Tornado Warnings have been extended into southeastern Orange County and now includes much of eastern Osceola County, including Holopaw and Deer Park.
UPDATE 10/9/24 3:00 pm: The National Weather Service posted that many areas in southeastern Central Florida are experiencing multiple tornado warnings. Tropical-storm-force winds are now moving onshore on the west coast of Florida, and multiple tornado warnings are in effect across the Florida peninsula. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room, not prone to flooding.
UPDATE 10/9/24 2:00 pm: The new public advisory from the National Hurricane Center says that Hurricane Milton is “growing in size as it moves closer to the west coast of Florida.” Life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains are expected across portions of central and southwestern Florida.
UPDATE 10/9/24 1:30 pm: Osceola County has announced a curfew that is effective from 8 pm Wednesday, Oct. 9, until 10 am Thursday, Oct. 10. This includes Kissimmee and St. Cloud. We are keeping an eye out for any curfew alerts from Orange County and will update at the top of this post should we receive one.
Based on the latest projection, Walt Disney World announced that they are making additional operational adjustments for the safety of its guests and cast members. The new details are in bold below, and the most significant update is that Disney Springs and all the theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Walt Disney World Theme Parks and Disney Springs
Today, Oct. 9:
Theme parks and Disney Springs will close in phases beginning at 1 p.m. today.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom close at 1 p.m.
- Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney Springs close at 2 p.m.
- Parking garages at Disney Springs will also close at 2 p.m. and are unavailable for cast or guest parking during the storm.
Tomorrow, Oct. 10:
- The theme parks and Disney Springs will remain closed on Thursday, Oct. 10.
- For partially used multi-day tickets, ticket expiration dates will be adjusted to expire on October 11, 2025.
- Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been cancelled for Thursday. Event tickets will be refunded.
Disney Resort Hotel Closures
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are now temporarily closed and will likely remain closed until Sunday, Oct. 13.
Transportation
- Walt Disney World Transportation will stop operating after Disney Springs and the Walt Disney World theme parks close today, Oct. 9.
- Limited Minnie Van service will be available until 4 p.m. today, Oct. 9.
- Limited Mears taxi service will be available to Walt Disney World Resort guests.
Recreation
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf are closed today, Oct. 9, and will remain closed on Thursday, Oct. 10.
- Disney’s Blizzard Beach remains closed for planned refurbishment.
- There are no events planned for ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex until the weekend.
Reservations for Dining and Other Experiences
- Disney is not enforcing cancellation policies for dining and other experiences until further notice.
- Pre-paid bookable experiences will be automatically refunded within 7 to 10 business days.
Disney Resort and Room-Only Cancellation Policy for Reservations Booked Directly with Disney Destinations, LLC or The Walt Disney Travel Company:
- Due to potential weather impacts to guest travel plans, change and cancellation fees imposed by Disney will be waived for check-in dates of Tuesday, 10/8 – Monday, 10/14.
- Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates, without fees. Packages including air transportation or other services provided by third parties, or those with travel protection, cannot be modified or cancelled online. For guests with these reservations, please contact your Dreams Unlimited Travel agent or Disney Central for assistance.
UPDATE 10/9/24 10 am: As a reminder, Walt Disney World will begin a phased closure of its theme parks and Disney Springs today at 1:00 pm. Additionally, Universal Orlando Resort announced that its theme parks will close today at 2 pm, along with other closures and cancelations.
Maximum sustained winds are near 155 mph (250 km/h) with higher gusts. Milton is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Milton is expected to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the west-central coast of Florida tonight. The chart below displays the earliest reasonable arrival time of tropical-force winds. The times shown are Central Daylight Time.
UPDATE 10/8/24 5:30 pm: While Hurricane Milton slowed down and remained a Category 4 storm for most of the day, it is back up to Category 5 in the newest advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Maximum sustained wind speeds are at 165 mph with higher gusts. The storm is currently moving east-northeast at 9 mph.
A turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected to begin Tuesday night and continue through early Thursday morning. A turn toward the east-northeast and east is expected on Thursday and Friday. On the forecast track, the center of Milton will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico through Wednesday, make landfall along the west-central coast of Florida Wednesday night, and move off the east coast of Florida over the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday.
UPDATE 10/8/24 3:30 pm: The Walt Disney World Emergency Operations Center is connected to weather experts and community leaders. Disney wants guests to know these adjustments have been made to leave plenty of time for guests and cast members to return to their resort hotels or homes safely hours before higher winds are expected to reach Central Florida.
Operational Impacts Include:
Walt Disney World Theme Parks
- On Oct. 9, our theme parks and Disney Springs will be closed in phases beginning at 1 p.m.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close at 1 p.m.
- Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney Springs will close at 2 p.m.
- It is likely the theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, Oct. 10. We will consider opening Disney Springs Thursday late afternoon with limited offerings.
- This includes the cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom on Oct. 10. Event tickets will be refunded.
Disney Resort Hotel Closures
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will temporarily close beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9. They are likely to remain closed until Sunday, Oct. 13.
Transportation
- Walt Disney World Transportation will stop operating Wednesday, Oct. 9 after Disney Springs and the Walt Disney World theme parks close.
- Limited Minnie Van and Mears taxi service will be available to Walt Disney World Resort Guests.
Recreation
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Disney’s Blizzard Beach remains closed for planned refurbishment.
Reservations for Dining and Other Experiences
- Effective immediately, we will not enforce cancellation policies until further notice for dining and other experiences.
- Pre-paid bookable experiences will be automatically refunded within 7 to 10 business days.
UPDATE 10/8/24 2:15 pm: Due to Hurricane Milton, Universal Orlando Resort is making the following operational changes for Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.
- On Wednesday, Oct. 9, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk will be open until 2 p.m. and will be CLOSED on Thursday, Oct. 10. (*Note: Hours of operation are subject to change based on forecast alterations and some attraction and experience availability may be limited on Wednesday as we prepare for an early closure)
- Universal Volcano Bay will be CLOSED Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.
- Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida is CANCELED for Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.
- The hotels remain operational as they focus on taking care of guests.
UPDATE 10/8/24 2 pm: Following the announcement of storm surge warnings up and down Florida’s west coast, Disney Cruise Line announced that they’ve decided to cancel the Friday, October 11 sailing on the Disney Wish.
UPDATE 10/8/24 12 noon: The National Hurricane Center has extended the Storm Surge Warning with Hurricane Milton southward along the east coast of Florida to Port Canaveral in addition to the west coast.
A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic below.
This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.
Milton is moving toward the east-northeast near 9 mph (15 km/h). A turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected to begin later today and continue through Thursday. On the forecast track, the center of Milton will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approach the west central coast of Florida through Wednesday. The center is likely to make landfall along the west-central coast of Florida on Wednesday night and move east-northeastward across central Florida through Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph (240 km/h) with higher gusts. Milton is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. While fluctuations in intensity are expected, Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida.
UPDATE 10/7/24 5 pm: Maximum sustained winds have reached 180 mph as Hurricane Milton, still a Category 5, barrels toward the east coast of Florida. As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, a Hurricane Warning has been issued for Orange and Osceola counties, including the Walt Disney World Resort area.
Walt Disney World is closely monitoring the projected storm’s path, and guest and cast member safety remains its top priority. Walt Disney World Resort is operating under normal conditions at this time, and will continue to on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Some adjustments have been made based on the latest weather forecast and some areas with unique environments.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, the Copper Creek 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.
The resort’s reopening timeline remains tentative and subject to safety conditions.
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale classifies hurricanes into five categories based on their sustained wind speed:
- Category 1: Winds 74–95 mph, causing minimal damage to buildings and trees
- Category 2: Winds 96–110 mph, causing significant damage to buildings and trees, and potentially requiring replacement of roofs, doors, and windows
- Category 3: Winds 111–130 mph, causing extensive damage to buildings and trees, and potentially leading to inland flooding
- Category 4: Winds 131–155 mph, causing catastrophic damage to buildings and trees, and potentially leading to complete destruction of mobile homes
- Category 5: Winds greater than 155 mph, causing catastrophic damage to buildings and trees, and potentially leading to complete roof failure on many residential buildings
UPDATE 10/7/24 1 pm: Milton “explosively intensifies” and has now reached maximum sustained winds of 175 mph as it moves east at 9 mph. Florida residents are now being urged to follow evacuation orders and advice of local officials.
- Orlando Int’l Airport to Cease Select Operations Wed. Morning
- Disney World Phones Ask Guests To Call Back if Not Traveling This Week
If you need assistance, there are several ways to reach out to the United Way.
UPDATE 10/7/24 12 noon: According to the latest information from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Milton has reached Category 5.
UPDATE 10/7/24 11 a.m.: Hurricane Milton has rapidly intensified into a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. The image below shows the anticipated wind arrival times.
A Hurricane Watch for the counties containing the Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort has been issued. The newest advisory shows that the storm will reach a Category 5 before wind speeds slow down as it approaches the Gulf Coast of Florida.
UPDATE 10/6/24 2 pm: Tropical Storm Milton has been upgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds increasing to nearly 80 mph with higher gusts. Milton is forecast to intensify rapidly during the next few days and become a major hurricane by Monday.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared that a state of emergency exists in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, ORANGE, OSCEOLA, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union, and Volusia counties.
Walt Disney World is located in both Orange and Osceola counties and has issued its first update on this approaching storm.
Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating under normal conditions. We are closely monitoring the path of the projected storm as we continue to prioritize the safety of our Guests and Cast Members.
UPDATE 10/5/24 5 pm: The newest update to Tropical Storm Milton forecasts that it’ll be a Category 3 major hurricane before it reaches landfall on the west coast of Florida. A new forecasted path has also been posted.
UPDATE 2:25 pm: With increased maximum sustained winds up to 40 mph, Tropical Depression 14 has been named Tropical Storm Milton.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Depression 14 has formed in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. This system is heading north-northeast at 3mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. The storm is forecast to rapidly strengthen and become a major hurricane next week, impacting the western coast of Florida with heavy rainfall.
Updates on this storm will be added to the top of this post as they come in from the NHC.
