Topline
Walt Disney World’s theme parks will be closed for two days due to Hurricane Ian, the company announced Tuesday, as the hurricane shutters tourist attractions throughout central Florida before making landfall Wednesday.
Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World in Orange County, Florida on June 1.
Key Facts
Disney will close its four theme parks and two water parks on Wednesday and Thursday.
The resort’s Disney Springs shopping area is so far only scheduled to be closed on Wednesday, but the company said it anticipates it will remain closed Thursday.
The announcement comes after the resort previously said Monday it would close some hotel areas, including its Fort Wilderness campground, due to the weather—others will remain open—and also canceled guests who were booked on the resort’s Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser.
Walt Disney World’s hurricane policy allows guests to cancel or reschedule their plans if a hurricane warning is issued within seven days of their arrival, and the theme parks have closed for hurricanes before, most recently for Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
Key Background
Hurricane Ian is slated to hit Florida’s west coast on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm, the National Hurricane Center projected Tuesday, making landfall likely south of Tampa and bringing hurricane-force winds to central Florida by Wednesday morning. The Orlando area where Walt Disney World is located, which is further inland, will be blunted from the worst effects of the storm but may still experience Category 1 conditions, National Weather Service meteorologist Derrick Weiglich told the Orlando Sentinel. Walt Disney World is one of a number of tourist attractions that have announced closures for Wednesday and Thursday, including Universal Orlando Resort, LEGOLAND Florida, SeaWorld Orlando and other area theme parks. Orlando International Airport will also temporarily cease operations at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Four counties along the Florida Gulf Coast have issued mandatory evacuation orders ahead of the storm and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has activated the National Guard.
Further Reading
Hurricane Ian Evacuation Orders Grow: Tampa, St. Petersburg And Fort Myers Areas Targeted (Forbes)
Hurricane Ian Hits Cuba As Category 3 Storm On Approach To Florida (Forbes)
In Photos: Hurricane Ian Slams Cuba And Barrels Toward Florida—Here’s A Look At The Damage (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2022/09/27/walt-disney-world-theme-parks-closing-due-to-hurricane-ian/