In a rare occurrence, Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando will shut down this week in response to Hurricane Milton, a major hurricane set to impact Florida beginning late Wednesday.
In a statement on its website, Disney said that it would close its parks in phases, with Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom closing at 1 p.m. Wednesday, and the Magic Kingdom and Epcot closing at 2 p.m.
“It is likely the theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, October 10. We will consider opening Disney Springs on Thursday in the late afternoon, with limited offerings,” the statement continues.
The company is also shuttering its water parks beginning Wednesday, and is canceling Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Thursday. Disney World resorts are set to remain open, though Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will temporarily close.
Meanwhile at Universal, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday and will be closed on Thursday. Its water park will be closed and its Halloween Horror Nights event will be canceled on both Wednesday and Thursday. Its resort hotels will remain open, with an expected reopening Friday.
Disney World has only closed its doors a handful of times in its 50-year history, almost all due to hurricanes (the only exceptions were an extended closure amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks).