Hurricane Milton could bring a ‘reverse storm surge’
Depending on where Hurricane Milton makes landfall, the Tampa Bay area could be flooded with a huge storm surge or it could have its bay sucked dry.
- Multiple airports in Florida have closed, and airlines have issued travel waivers for affected passengers.
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld Orlando, and LEGOLAND Florida are closed.
- Cruise lines have modified itineraries and canceled sailings due to the hurricane.
- Several travel booking platforms have issued waivers and activated policies to assist travelers impacted by the storm.
Hurricane Milton made its way across the Florida Peninsula on Thursday, leaving millions without power, flooding neighborhoods and destroying homes.
All major Central Florida airports and theme parks have closed. And while some travelers have ended their trips early or canceled plans, others are choosing to ride out the storm.
Here’s what travelers should know.
How is Hurricane Milton impacting flights?
More than 2,200 U.S. flights have been canceled Thursday as of 8:30 a.m. ET, but only 400 have been canceled for Friday so far, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.
Carriers including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have issued waivers that allow travelers going to or from some Florida airports to change their tickets for no extra charge, even if they purchased a basic economy fare. Customers can check their airline’s website for specific details on travel advisories.
Both American and United Airlines also added seats and extra flights on Monday and Tuesday to help people evacuate the area.
Which airports are closed for Hurricane Milton?
The airports will reopen when it is safe to do so.
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Which Florida airports are still open?
As of Wednesday, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Jacksonville International Airport, Key West International Airport, Miami International Airport, Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, and Palm Beach International Airport were all open but monitoring the storm. Some flights at these airports have been canceled.
Travelers should keep an eye on updates from their airline and consider taking advantage of flexible change policies if they don’t have to travel.
If a flight gets canceled for any reason, customers are entitled to a refund, according to Department of Transportation rules.
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Hitting the road: Over 200 price gouging complaints as Florida residents evacuate
Is Walt Disney World open?
Walt Disney World Resort‘s theme parks and Disney Springs closed Wednesday afternoon and will remain closed on Thursday. Disney resort transportation has also ceased operations. Minnie Van and Mears taxi services will be limited.
Guests can find updates on Disney World’s website.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park and mini golf courses are also closed Wednesday. Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park was already closed for the season. The resort says ESPN Wide World of Sports doesn’t have an events scheduled until this weekend.
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 began closing late Wednesday morning and will likely stay closed until Sunday, according to the resort.
Whenever the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for Orlando, as it has for Milton, or wherever guests live within seven days of their scheduled arrival, guests may cancel or change vacation packages or hotel reservations booked directly through the Walt Disney Travel Company without penalty. Unused tickets retain their value, and guests may change ticket dates for future use.
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See Tampa’s Florida Aquarium move penguins before Hurricane Milton
The Florida Aquarium in Tampa moved its penguins up to the second floor to keep them safe as Hurricane Milton approaches.
Is Universal Orlando open?
Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk are now closed and will remain closed Thursday, according to the park’s website.
Universal Volcano Bay Water Park will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Halloween Horror Nights were canceled Wednesday and Thursday, but expect to resume on Friday depending on impacts from the storm.
Universal Orlando hotels remain fully operational.
When the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane or tropical storm warning for the Orlando area or wherever a guest lives within seven days of their scheduled arrival, guests may cancel or change vacation packages, hotel reservations, or park tickets booked directly through Universal without penalty.
Is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay open?
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay closed Wednesday and Thursday, according to its parent company United Parks & Resorts. The park was also closed on Tuesday. Dated park tickets have been automatically extended for use on any date through the end of the year.
Howl-O-Scream is canceled for Thursday, but tickets may be used on any other Howl-O-Scream night this season.
Busch Garden Tampa Bay’s sister water park is Adventure Island was already scheduled to be closed through Thursday, according to its seasonal operations calendar.
Guests are encouraged to check United Parks & Resort’s website and social media for reopening details and additional updates.
Is SeaWorld Orlando open?
SeaWorld Orlando and its sister park, Aquatica Orlando, closed Wednesday and will remain closed Thursday. Dated tickets for closure dates can be used any day until the end of the year.
Their sister day resort, Discovery Cove Orlando, has enacted its named storm policy for Wednesday and Thursday, offering to reschedule trips to another date.
All three parks are also part of United Parks & Resorts, and guests are encouraged to check the parent company’s website and social media for storm-related updates.
Additionally, both Busch Gardens and SeaWorld have a Weather-or-Not Assurance policy that guarantees the value of park tickets through all types of inclement weather, so guests can come back at a later date.
Is LEGOLAND Florida open?
LEGOLAND Florida Resort closed Wednesday and Thursday, and hotels will operate with limited capacity, according to is website. Guests are encouraged to check LEGOLAND Florida’s website and social media for additional updates.
Guests may cancel or reschedule visits without penalty whenever the National Hurricane Center issues a tropical storm or hurricane warning for Central Florida within seven days of their scheduled arrival. Beyond that, LEGOLAND Florida has a Rainy Day Promise, allowing guests to use existing tickets for a future visit within one year of park closures for inclement weather.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort includes LEGOLAND Florida, LEGOLAND Florida Water Park, Peppa Pig Theme Park and several resort hotels.
How is Hurricane Milton impacting cruises?
▶ Multiple Royal Caribbean International itineraries have been impacted so far, and the line said it notified all passengers directly. Passengers who are unsure if their sailing is affected should check with the line.
▶ Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Reflection replaced a stop in Key West on Tuesday with Nassau.
▶ Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Pride ship moved its three-day visit to Bermuda – scheduled to start on Wednesday – up by one day, the cruise line said on its website. The vessel left from Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday. Carnival Paradise, which left from Tampa on Sunday, will visit Costa Maya in place of Cozumel, while Carnival Valor, which left New Orleans on Saturday, will replace a stop in Cozumel with a sea day.
▶ Disney Cruise Line canceled its Oct. 11 Disney Wish sailing due to forecasted conditions. Disney Magic will visit Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point one day earlier than planned on Wednesday and spend the day at sea on Thursday. That ship, which left from Fort Lauderdale on Monday, will also stop in Nassau on Friday rather than Wednesday.
▶ The Margaritaville at Sea Islander departed on Monday from Tampa rather than Tuesday. The ship’s itinerary will be modified, and additional information “regarding the adjusted itinerary will be made (available) as plans are confirmed,” according to the line’s website.
▶ MSC Cruises’ MSC Magnifica’s Monday cruise from Miami will visit Puerto Plata on Wednesday, skipping planned stops at the line’s Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas on Tuesday and Nassau on Thursday. MSC Seashore is now anticipated to return from its current sailing on Friday, one day later than previously planned, according to the cruise line. MSC Seascape replaced its call to George Town on Tuesday with a sea day due to the port’s closure, and will do the following itinerary: Roatán on Wednesday instead of Cozumel; Cozumel on Thursday instead of a sea day; sea day on Friday instead of Ocean Cay and return to Port Miami as planned on Saturday.
▶ Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady will replace its Wednesday sea day with a stop in Cozumel. The ship, which left from Miami on Sunday, will also skip a call in Bimini in the Bahamas on Thursday, spending the day at sea instead.
How is Hurricane Milton impacting hotels?
▶ Expedia and Hotels.com have issued travel waivers on Wednesday for travelers whose plans are disrupted due to the storm, according to a press release by their parent company Expedia Group. Expedia and Hotels.com customers whose reservations are impacted by Hurricane Milton can visit the Customer Service Portals to assist with changing travel arrangements. Visit Expedia’s Customer Service Portal here and Hotels.com’s Customer Service Portal here.
▶ Vacation rental platform Vrbo activated its Extenuating Circumstances Policy on Wednesday for qualifying areas of Florida. Affected travelers will be notified. Under this policy, hosts must provide full refunds for impacted reservations or partial refunds for the unused parts of a trip if the trip is already underway. The host’s cancellation policy applies for reservations in non-covered areas, and travelers should contact the host directly via the app or website.
▶ Airbnb’s Major Disruptive Events Policy is in effect from now until Thursday in areas of Florida currently with government travel restrictions due to the storm. Travelers can check if their stay or experience qualifies by going to the My Trips page on the Airbnb app or website. Under the policy, hosts can cancel stays without consequences and customers can get a full refund if their trip has not started yet. Otherwise, they’re entitled to a partial refund.
