Hurricane Milton heads toward Florida after hitting Mexico
Hurricane Milton strengthened to a Category 5 in a matter of hours before skirting the coast of Mexico.
UPDATE: Walt Disney World theme park announced Tuesday afternoon it would close due to Hurricane Milton — the 11th such time in the park’s 53-year history. Other Orlando theme parks have followed suit and are listed below.
Hurricane Milton could cause widespread devastation when it slams into Florida late Wednesday. While Indianapolis forecasters don’t believe the powerful storm will impact Indiana’s weather, it could certainly disrupt Hoosiers’ travel plans.
Many school districts across Indiana will begin fall break starting Monday on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which is expected to see scores of Hoosiers lining up outside the airport.
Last year, Indianapolis International Airport set a record-breaking travel season, according to a news release, with nonstop flights to Florida accounting for the highest percentage of destinations Hoosiers booked during fall break. Indy’s airport is anticipating another busy season, it said, with holiday travel expected to be 8 percent higher in October 2024.
Those Hoosiers who had planned to spend the day on a sunny Florida beach this month might have to adjust their vacation itinerary.
“Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida,” John Cangialosi, a specialist with the National Hurricane Center, warned in an update Tuesday. Damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge and heavy rainfall will extend well outside the forecast cone, he said.
Here’s what Hoosiers should know about the hurricane and how it might interfere with Florida’s many theme parks.
Where is Milton? Will Hurricane Milton impact Florida?
Yes. A life-threatening storm surge and hurricane-force winds will slam along the coast of the Panhandle and Florida’s Gulf Coast. Heavy rain, flash flooding, and the potential for tropical tornadoes are also expected.
Don’t focus on the center of the storm. Impacts will be felt hundreds of miles away, especially on the north and east sides, because of the outer bands.
Is Orlando in the path of Hurricane Milton?
Yes, as of Tuesday, both Orlando and Orlando International Airport are in the path of Hurricane Milton. Forecasters predict the center of the storm will travel roughly 20 miles south of Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World announced Tuesday afternoon the park would close in phases starting 1 p.m. Wednesday. The website listed the following closure times:
- Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom closing at 1 p.m.
- Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney Springs closing at 2 p.m.
Can I cancel my Disney tickets because of a hurricane? What Disney’s policy says and who to call
The theme park, which includes Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios, created a Disney World FAQ page regarding hurricanes. Regarding cancellations and rescheduling Disney vacations, the theme park giant states this:
“If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area — or for your place of residence — within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Co. Disney Resort hotel packages and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney. Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates.”
Cancellation and rescheduling due to hurricanes applies to Disney tickets purchased via a third party site:
“If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation — such as air transportation, hotels, car rental agencies or travel insurance companies — you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences.”
The policy also applies to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort if a hurricane warning is issued for those destinations, the site states.
To modify, cancel or get help rescheduling a Disney vacation due to a hurricane warning, guests can call 407-939-7675.
When has Disney World closed for hurricanes?
Before Tuesday, Disney World in Orlando had closed only 10 times for hurricanes and national emergencies since its opening in 1971. Hurricane Milton makes that 11.
Here’s a list of when Disney World did not open for guests:
- Hurricane Floyd in September 1999
- Hurricane Charley in August 2004
- Hurricane Frances in August 2004
- Hurricane Jeanne in August 2004
- Hurricane Matthew in October 2016
- Hurricane Irma in October 2017
- COVID-19 Pandemic, from May 15, 2020, to July 11, 2020
- Hurricane Ian in September 2022
Here’s when Disney World closed early:
- Hurricane Elena in August 1985
- Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks
What is Disney World’s hurricane policy? Can I get a refund?
According to its website, Walt Disney World Resort will make exceptions to its standard policy and issue refunds in the event of a hurricane if the National Hurricane Center issues a warning for the Orlando area or a visitor’s place of residence within seven days of their “scheduled arrival date,” if tickets and reservations were booked directly through Disney. Dates can be modified as well.
You will have to reach out to any third-party suppliers you booked with.
Did people evacuate to Disney World for a hurricane?
In previous hurricanes, the company has also offered deals to residents needing a safe place to evacuate and hunker down in the storm. During 2023’s Hurricane Nicole, Disney offered 50% off Disney resort hotel stays on select dates for evacuees, adding the company had strict check-in times.
Is Universal Studios, Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure, Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Florida closed for Hurricane Milton?
On Tuesday afternoon, Universal Orlando Resorts announced its theme parks would close at 2 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed Thursday Oct. 9.
For Hurricane Helene, the Halloween Horror Nights event was canceled, and City Walk had closed early at 8 p.m. Universal Orlando Resort released the following information Tuesday:
- On Wednesday, Oct. 9, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk will be open until 2 p.m. and will be closed on Thursday, Oct. 10. (*Note: 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 Volcano Bay will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.
- Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida is canceled for Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.
- Our hotels remain operational as they focus on taking care of our guests.
“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 Studios’ hurricane policy
Universal Orlando’s website states that they “can’t make guarantees about the weather, but your travel plans can still be stress-free.”
“In the event that a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center or a state of emergency is declared for the Orlando area or in your place of residence, within seven days of your arrival, you can contact our team in advance to reschedule or cancel your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations Package, hotel room only accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets booked directly with Universal Orlando, without any cancellation or change fees imposed.”
Is SeaWorld Orlando closed for Hurricane Milton?
SeaWorld Orlando announced Tuesday it would be closed Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10 because of the hurricane.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to close for Hurricane Milton
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay was open Monday, Oct. 7. Later that day, Busch Gardens officials sent a news release:
“After reviewing the latest route of Hurricane Milton and to ensure the safety of our ambassadors, guests and animals, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will be closed” Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 8-10. “Our weather preparedness plan is in place and extra precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of our animals during this time.
“In preparation for the upcoming storm, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has implemented comprehensive animal safety protocols. A dedicated team of animal care experts, including veterinarians, will remain onsite 24/7 to monitor the animals, safely housed in buildings designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes. Once weather conditions improve, our recovery team will ensure the habitats are safe for the animals to return.
“Guests are encouraged to check our website and follow our social media channels for updates on park reopening,” the news release said.
SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay hurricane policy
“Rest assured, our Guest Services team is prepared to assist you with shifting your date to a surrounding date,” SeaWorld and Busch Gardens’ parent company, United Parks & Resorts, said on its website. “Please contact our Guest Services team, you may email dco-guestrelations@discoverycove.com. Please include your reservation number and “Hurricane rebooking” in the subject line of the email. We apologize for any inconvenience to your party and look forward to welcoming you.”
Both destinations also offer a “Weather-or-Not Assurance” with their tickets.
“Your visit is covered through our Weather-or-Not Assurance program. This program guarantees the value of your park admission and applies year-round, covering weather events such as rain, lightning, extreme heat, wind, snow, hail and more,” according to SeaWorld Orlando’ website.
Restrictions include:
- The following are not eligible for Weather-or-Not Assurance tickets: Pass Member admission; complimentary tickets (including Weather-or-Not Assurance tickets); 14-Day Length of Stay tickets and packages; Discovery Cove ticket packages.
- The following may not be eligible and should be verified at Guest Relations: Promotional/discount tickets (group sales tickets) and promotional multi-day tickets.
- Weather-or-Not Assurance does not apply to parking or additional in-park products or experiences
You’ll have to stop by Guest Relations at the park or submit your information online to request your return visit. Make sure you have your original admission ticket or order number.
Is NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida open?
On Tuesday afternoon, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Florida’s Space Coast (about an hour east of Orlando) announced it would be closed Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.
Hurricane Milton did affect a rocket launch: SpaceX Falcon Heavy Europa Clipper mission for Thursday, Oct. 10, was postponed by NASA and SpaceX on Sunday, Oct. 6.
Gatorland Orlando to close for Hurricane Milton
The “alligator capital of the world,” aka Gatorland Orlando, will close the theme park Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 9 and 10, due to the Category 5 Hurricane Milton.
According to a news release sent to FLORIDA TODAY, which is part of the USA TODAY Network, “with the arrival of Hurricane Milton expecting to impact our area on Wednesday, Gatorland has decided to close the park” on the above dates “for the safety of its animals, guests and employees.”
The news release continued: “Gatorland has an extensive hurricane preparedness plan that calls for properly caring for all of the animals residing at the theme park, and a team of dedicated employees will be staying at the park to continue to care for the animals before, during and after the storm.”
Despite the Orlando theme park’s temporary, weather-related closure, the first weekend of the Gators, Ghosts and Goblins Halloween event was still scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12 and 13. Visit gatorland.com.
LEGOLAND Florida to close for Hurricane Milton
LEGOLAND Florida and its sister parks LEGOLAND Florida Water Park and Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida were operating as usual Monday, but as conditions worsened both parks announced they would close Wednesday and Thursday, Oct 9-10.
LEGOLAND Florida hurricane policy
On its website, LEGOLAND Florida states the safety of “guests and Model Citizens is our highest priority.”
“If the National Hurricane Center issues a tropical storm or hurricane warning for the Central Florida area – or for your place of residence – within seven days preceding your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your LEGOLAND Florida Resort visit without any penalties or fees imposed by LEGOLAND and/or Merlin Entertainments.
This policy applies only to LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park tickets, LEGOLAND Water Park tickets, Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida tickets and the theme park’s various hotel reservations booked directly with LEGOLAND Florida Resort or LEGOLAND Vacations, as well as partner hotel reservations and packages booked through LEGOLAND Vacations.
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Contributing: Eve Chen, USA TODAY, John Gallas, USA TODAY Network-Florida, Jim Rosica, Tallahassee Democrat, and Jenny Porter Tilley, USA TODAY Network.
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang.
John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at JTuftsReports.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
