Disney World and Universal Orlando to close for Hurricane Milton
Even if the theme parks remain open or reopen quickly, getting to those destinations may be hard over the next week. Both Orlando and Tampa airports will close ahead of Hurricane Milton's arrival.
Major airports in Florida shut down as Hurricane Milton's destructive power grows
Floridians are rushing to evacuate from Hurricane Milton, but Orlando's airports are closing their doors, leaving many scrambling for a last-minute escape. FOX 35 Orlando's Amanda McKenzie reports live from Orlando International Airport with the latest.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida theme park officials announced closures ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast Wednesday night as a major (Category 3 or higher) storm that will put heavy rain and hurricane-force winds over the Interstate 4 corridor, home to Disney World and Universal Orlando.
Walt Disney World was the last major theme park to announce closures ahead of Milton.
On Wednesday, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom will close at 1 p.m., and Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs will close 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," Disney said.
On Tuesday, Universal Orlando announced that Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk would close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday and remain closed through Thursday. Volcano Bay will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
"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 Orlando said in a statement.
Legoland Florida in Winter Haven announced on Monday that it would close on Wednesday and Thursday this week. Winter Haven is located between Orlando and Tampa, about one hour from each city.
Storm surge from Milton is expected to top what Tampa experienced during Helene, with up to 15 feet forecast.
File photo: Cast members squeegee the stage in front of Cinderella Castle as rain bands pass through the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on Aug. 30, 2023.
(Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service / Getty Images)
Legoland said hotel operations continue with limited capacity.
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SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, Adventure Island and Busch Gardens Tampa will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Tickets for closure days have been extended through Dec. 31.
All Florida theme parks are hosting Halloween and fall-themed events that run into the night. According to the websites of SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World Resort, those events will continue as planned on Tuesday.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom park is canceled for Thursday, October 10. Event tickets will be refunded, according to Disney.
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights is canceled for Wednesday and Thursday.
"We anticipate a full reopening of our destination, including Halloween Horror Nights, on Friday, Oct. 11, at our normal operating hours pending the outcome of storm impacts," Universal Orlando said.
Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens is canceled for Thursday. Those tickets may be used for any of the remaining Howl-O-Scream event nights.
Even if the theme parks remain open or reopen quickly, getting to those destinations may be hard over the next week.
Orlando International Airport, the closest major airport to Disney World and Universal Orlando, will cease commercial passenger and private operations on Wednesday.
Tampa International Airport suspended all flight operations on Tuesday morning in preparation for Milton's arrival and will remain closed until it is safe to resume operations, airport officials said.