When Florida’s popular theme parks will reopen following Hurricane Milton
Visit Florida says the Sunshine State welcomed 140 million visitors in 2023. The group reported nearly 41 million visitors during the first quarter of 2024, which was the highest amount ever recorded for a single quarter.
Breakdown of Hurricane Milton's impacts across Florida
The once-Category 3 hurricane produced a storm surge of 5 to 10 feet south of the Tampa metro, along with dozens of tornadoes.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Following Hurricane Milton, parks across Central Florida are set to reopen starting Friday, with minimal damage reported in the busy tourist areas along Interstate 4.
Milton made landfall on Wednesday south of Tampa, near Sarasota, as a Category 3 hurricane, but its wrath was felt across the Sunshine State.
Doppler radar estimated more than 5" of rain fell, and hurricane-force wind gusts caused extensive power outages around Orlando and nearby communities.
The hurricane took less than 12 hours to cross the state, leaving behind breezy but drier conditions for crews to immediately begin the restoration process.
Hurricane Milton made landfall Thursday evening in Siesta Key, Florida. (FOX Weather)
In anticipation of the extreme weather, theme parks closed to give staff and visitors ample time to prepare for the storm - a rare move that underscored the severity of the threat.
With sunnier skies in place, tourists are anxiously awaiting operations to return to normal - a wait that will soon end at some of the world’s most popular theme parks.
DEATH TOLL FROM HURRICANE MILTON RISES AS FLORIDA PICKS UP THE PIECES FROM STORM’S DESTRUCTION
Status of Disney World parks
The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, the Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs are set to reopen for regular operations on Friday.
"We’re grateful Walt Disney World Resort weathered the storm. Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs will reopen on Friday, October 11 for the scheduled operating hours. Our hearts are with our fellow Floridians who were impacted by this storm," Disney staff said in a statement.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, which was scheduled for Thursday, October 10, has been canceled, and the park operator said event tickets will be refunded.
Guests at the Magic Kingdom break out ponchos at Cinderella Castle as bands of weather from Hurricane Helene move through Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. All four of Disney's Florida theme parks remained open Thursday as the storm passed to the west in the Gulf of Mexico. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images / Getty Images)
HURRICANE MILTON SPAWNS DEADLY TORNADO OUTBREAK IN SOUTH FLORIDA
Status of Universal properties
Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay and CityWalk are also all slated to reopen on Friday.
"Our hearts are with all those impacted by Hurricane Milton, and we are dedicated to helping our community recovery. We are also grateful for the hard work of our Team Members during this challenging time. On Friday, Oct. 11, we look forward to welcoming back our guests as we return to our normal operation across all our theme parks, CityWalk and Halloween Horror Nights inclusive of Early Park Admission for Universal Orlando Hotel guests, Premier Passholders and Preferred Passholders," Universal said on its website.
Guests with tickets to visit their parks during the storm will be able to use the passes on any day through Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
Universal said ticketholders can proceed directly to entrances on the date of their choosing and avoid contacting guest services.
Other tourist attractions
Parks such LEGOLAND Florida, SeaWorld and others announced similar reopening plans with operations expected to return to normal on Friday.
According to Visit Florida, the Sunshine State welcomed over 140 million visitors in 2023, setting a new record, with many tourists exploring the more than a dozen theme parks in the Orlando area.
FOX Weather meteorologist caught in Milton's crossfire while reporting from Cocoa Beach, Florida
FOX Weather Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen is reporting live from Cocoa Beach, Florida, on Thursday morning with a look at the situation out there following Hurricane Milton.