Hurricane Milton Updates for Walt Disney World (Timeline)

Hurricane Milton has rapidly increased to a Category 5 Hurricane as of midday Monday, October 7, 2024. We’ve created this page to help keep you up-to-date on what is happening at Walt Disney World. Below, we’ll provide a timeline of updates as they are released, with the newest update posted first.

Further down, we’ve listed resources for staying up-to-date, including local meteorologists, the National Weather Service, Disney Resources, and a few handles to follow on the X social media platform. I’ve also shared a few tidbits from my experience at Walt Disney World during past hurricanes. We hope that you stay weather-aware and safe through the upcoming storm.

Update Timeline

As Hurricane Milton continues its path across the Gulf of Mexico toward the Florida Peninsula, here are updates you might need to know for Walt Disney World and other travel arrangements:

Thursday, October 10, 2024, 12:00 p.m. (Walt Disney World Re-Opening October 11, 2024)

We’re grateful Walt Disney World Resort weathered the storm, and we are currently assessing the impacts to our property to prepare for reopening the theme parks, Disney Springs and possibly other areas on Friday, October 11. Our hearts are with our fellow Floridians who were impacted by this storm.

Thursday, October 10, 2024, 10:30 a.m. (Curfew Lifted)

The resort curfew has been lifted.

Walt Disney World’s theme parks, water parks, recreation offerings, and Disney Springs are closed through Thursday, October 10.

Please note that our theme park and Disney Springs restaurant hours displayed on the Walt Disney World website and My Disney Experience app are based on normal operating hours. They do not reflect changes due to Hurricane Milton.

We continue to operate select dining locations for Guests currently staying in our Disney Resort hotels. Please check the food and dining pages for Disney Resort hotels on the website or via the My Disney Experience app for the latest details. Please be aware that operating hours and availability may be adjusted as necessary without prior notice.

Additionally, we recommend planning ahead and stopping by any food court or quick-service dining location to pre-purchase breakfast and lunch for Thursday, October 10.

The following activities may be available for you to enjoy at your Disney Resort hotel:

Free Disney movies in your Resort hotel room
Visit the lobby for surprise Character visits and more family fun
Check out the arcade for free play starting at 4:00 PM
Visit the fitness center during normal operating hours

Operating hours and availability may be adjusted as necessary without prior notice.

Thursday, October 10, 8:30 a.m. (Storm has passed.)

Walt Disney World and Vero Beach Resort Hotel Guests: Please continue to shelter inside while we assess the storm’s impact. We’ll let you know when it is safe to be outdoors.

The Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks, recreation offerings, and Disney Springs are now closed through Thursday, October 10.

Wednesday, October 9, 1:45 p.m. (Walt Disney World Extends Park Closures through October 10th)

Our theme parks and Disney Springs will remain closed on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been canceled for Thursday. Event tickets will be refunded.
For partially used multi-day tickets, ticket expiration dates will be adjusted to expire on October 11, 2025.

Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 3:30 p.m. (Walt Disney World Announces Park Closures)

On Oct. 9, our theme parks and Disney Springs will be closed in phases beginning at 1 p.m.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will close at 1 p.m.
- Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs will close at 2 p.m.
The theme parks will likely remain closed on Thursday, Oct. 10. ~~We will consider opening Disney Springs late Thursday afternoon with limited offerings.~~
- This includes the cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom on Oct. 10. Event tickets will be refunded.

In regards to transportation:

Walt Disney World Transportation will stop operating on Wednesday, Oct. 9, after Disney Springs and the Walt Disney World theme parks close.
Limited Minnie Van and Mears taxi service will be available to Walt Disney World Resort Guests.

In regards to recreation:

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Disney’s Blizzard Beach remains closed for planned refurbishment.

In regards to dining:

Effective immediately, we will not enforce cancellation policies until further notice for dining and other experiences.
Pre-paid bookable experiences will be automatically refunded within 7 to 10 business days.

Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 2:15 p.m. (Universal Studios Orlando Announces Park Closures)

Due to Hurricane Milton, Univeral Orlando Resort is making the following operational changes for Wednesday, October 9th, and Thursday, October 10th.

Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 10:00 a.m. (Disney extends Hurricane Policy Cancellation Date)

Due to potential weather impacts to guest travel plans, change and cancellation fees imposed by Disney will be waived for check-in dates of Tuesday, 10/8 – Monday, 10/14.
Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates, without fees. Packages including air transportation or other services provided by third parties, or those with travel protection, cannot be modified or cancelled online. For Guests with these reservations, please call us for assistance.

*Previously, the date was through Sunday, October 13th. It has now been extended for check-in dates through Monday, October 14th.

Monday, October 7, 2024, 5:30 p.m. (Initial Disney Resort Closures Announced)

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, the Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will temporarily close beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are likely to remain closed until Sunday, Oct. 13
The Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will likely reopen on Friday, Oct. 11.

Monday, October 7, 2024, 5:00 p.m. (Hurricane Warning Issued)

A hurricane warning is now in place for most of central Florida, including Orlando, Orange County, and the Walt Disney World area.

Monday, October 7, 2024 (Regarding Disney World Hotel Dates, Modifications, and Cancellations)

Disney Resort and Room-Only Cancellation Policy for Reservations Booked Directly with Disney Destinations, LLC or The Walt Disney Travel Company.

Due to potential weather impacts to guest travel plans, change and cancellation fees imposed by Disney will be waived for check-in dates of Sunday, 10/6 – Sunday, 10/13.
Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates, without fees. Packages including air transportation or other services provided by third parties, or those with travel protection, cannot be modified or cancelled online. For Guests with these reservations, please call us for assistance.

Monday, October 7, 2024 (From Orlando International Airport)

On Wednesday morning, October 9, Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL) will cease commercial passenger and private operations in advance of Hurricane Milton, a move made in coordination with our partners.

Sunday, October 6, 2024 (From Walt Disney World)

Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating under normal conditions. We are closely monitoring the path of the projected storm as we continue to prioritize the safety of our Guests and Cast Members.

Resources for Staying Up-to-Date:

Here are some of the resources we follow to help keep us up-to-date.

Weather Sources:

X Handles to Follow for Weather Updates:

Travel Resources:

Orlando International Airport on X

Disney Resources:

Disney’s Weather Update Page
Disney’s Hurricane Policy and Frequently Asked Questions
My Disney Experience App Home Screen

If you’re at Walt Disney World during a hurricane:

We have been at Walt Disney World during a hurricane on multiple occasions. It is essential to consider your accommodations and what you might need in a state of emergency. If you’re at an exterior resort hotel, you probably cannot leave your room during the storm. It would not be uncommon for curfews to go into effect, requiring everyone to shelter in place.

If you’re staying at an interior hotel, you can likely walk the halls and access the lobby. However, it’s important to note that regular vendors will probably be unable to restock the hotels in an emergency like a hurricane. So, food items and gift shop supplies could dwindle, and it could take several days (or longer) to restock items.

We’ve seen Disney sell items like basic sandwiches and chips in this situation. Cast Members living in the surrounding area will be unable to get to work. Disney often provides rooms for essential workers at the resorts and, where needed, elsewhere. Guests and cast members alike will be dealing with extra stress. So, it’s important to remember to be patient. Our experience has always been that cast members do an excellent job of helping keep guests entertained during these events.

We’ve stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village, and Coronado Springs during hurricanes. At Coronado Springs, we were stuck in the room for some time. But when things began to calm down, we could get to Gran Destino Tower and access the rest of El Centro. The resort had a convention room set up with activities to help keep children entertained. Lines for dining were extreme, which is to be expected if the theme parks have to close. We’ll likely see announcements for closures or limited hours on Wednesday into Thursday.

We hope that you remain safe and weather-aware during this hurricane. We’ll keep you updated, and I’ll keep this post at the top of the blog through the remainder of the week. In the meantime, I will continue to work on some existing projects where possible. So, if you’re a regular reader, look to the right, and you’ll see any new articles that have been published.

Stay safe!