Walt Disney World Resort Operational Changes due to Hurricane Milton

According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Milton has been upgraded to a Category 5 storm and is expected to make landfall on the west coast of Florida late Wednesday, October 9, 2024. The hurricane is currently projected to make landfall near or around Tampa, FL. This projection could potentially put the storm passing right over the Walt Disney World Resort which has caused the resort to take precautions and make operational changes for the safety of Guests and Cast Members.

Theme Parks and Disney Springs

The Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks and Disney Springs operational schedule for Wednesday, October 9, 2024 has been adjusted as follows:

Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close at 1:00pm.
Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT and Disney Springs will close at 2:00pm.

All four theme parks and Disney Springs will most likely remain closed on Thursday, October 10, 2024 with the possibility of Disney Springs opening late Thursday afternoon with limited offerings. The operational schedule for Thursday is subject to change depending on the storms path.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom for Thursday, October 10 has been cancelled due to Hurricane Milton. Guests with tickets will be refunded.

Walt Disney World Resort Operational Changes due to Hurricane Milton - POP Century

Disney Resort Hotels

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will close beginning at 11:00am on Wednesday, October 9. These resorts will likely remain closed until Sunday, October 13.

All other Walt Disney World Resort Hotels will remain open with a “ride-out crew” of Cast Members on staff to assist Guests during the storm. Guests staying at a Disney Resort Hotel is advised to stay in their rooms during the storm, but will be updated by the hotel staff as the storm gets closer.

WDW Transportation

Walt Disney World Transportation will stop operations on Wednesday, October 9 after the Theme Parks and Disney Springs close.

Limited Minnie Van and Mears taxi service will be available to Walt Disney World Resort Guests.

WDW Water Parks and Other Recreation

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10. Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park is currently closed for a planned refurbishment.

There are no events planned for ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex until the weekend.

Reservations for Dining and Other Experiences

The Walt Disney World Resort is not enforcing cancellation policies for dining and other experiences until further notice. Deposits or prepaid experiences will be automatically refunded within 7 to 10 business days cancelled reservations.

All closures, cancellations and operational changes are subject to change. As the storm approaches landfall, the Walt Disney World Resort may update their operations for Wednesday and Thursday.