Topline
Disney plans to reopen its Walt Disney World theme park and Disney Springs shopping area in Orlando, Florida, starting on Friday in a “phased approach,” the company said Thursday, after Hurricane Ian forced it to close its doors and decimated much of the state.
Mickey Mouse balloon is seen at an empty TSA screening checkpoint as Orlando International Airport … [+]
Key Facts
Disney said it expects “weather conditions to improve this evening” and the company is assessing “the impact of Hurricane Ian on our property.”
The company did not provide detailed information on which areas of the theme park or Disney Springs will reopen on Friday.
Disney is posting updates on its status on its website.
Universal Orlando Resort said it anticipates reopening Friday “as conditions permit.”
SeaWorld, also located in Orlando, said it expects to reopen on Saturday.
Tampa International Airport said it plans to reopen Friday at 10 a.m., and Orlando International Airport said it expected to open sometime that day, while Jacksonville International Airport has not announced its reopening schedule.
Big Number
27,000. That’s how many people were estimated in 2020 to visit Walt Disney World on an average day, according to the Themed Entertainment Association.
Key Background
Walt Disney World announced on Tuesday that it would close for two days as Hurricane Ian was expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday. The Category 4 storm brought over 12-feet-tall surges, winds around 150 miles-per-hour and massive floods. Areas of the state’s Southwestern coast, particularly Sanibel, Cape Coral and Fort Myers, were hit the hardest. The storm weakened as it traveled to Central Florida, though Orange County, which includes Orlando, also experienced flooding. Ian was downgraded to a tropical storm on Thursday. Over 2.5 million people were without power in Florida on Thursday.
Further Reading
Walt Disney World Theme Parks Closing Due To Hurricane Ian (Forbes)
Hurricane Ian: These Are The Florida Areas Hardest Hit By The Category 4 Storm (Forbes)
Hurricane Ian Weakens To Tropical Storm But More Than 2.5 Million Still Without Power (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/09/29/disney-world-in-florida-reopening-on-friday-after-hurricane-ian/