Disney World, Universal Orlando Theme Park to Close as Florida Braces for Hurricane Milton

Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, two major theme parks in Orlando, are preparing to close as Florida braces for Hurricane Milton to hit as a major storm.

Disney said it would shutter its theme parks and Disney Springs entertainment complex in phases beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday and will “likely” remain closed on Thursday. “We will consider opening Disney Springs on Thursday in the late afternoon, with limited offerings,” Disney said on its website, adding that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom has been canceled on Thursday.

Universal said it would cease operation of its theme parks and City Walk at 2 p.m. on Wednesday and stay closed on 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,” according to the park’s website.

SeaWorld Orlando also announced its closure on Wednesday and Thursday.

“We continue to closely monitor the path of Hurricane Milton,” a spokesperson for Disney said in a statement. “Please know these adjustments have been made in order to leave plenty of time for our guests and Cast Members to return to their resort hotels or homes safely hours before higher winds are expected to reach Central Florida.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, Milton was a Category 4 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, per the National Hurricane Center. The storm has sustained winds of 155 miles per hour and is expected to make landfall Wednesday on Florida’s west coast.

Disney rarely suspends operation of its theme parks, other than recent major hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Sept. 11 attacks. October is busy for the amusement parks because of Halloween-related events like Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights and Disney’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.