Walt Disney World Resort Closing Ahead Of Hurricane Ian

Disney announced today that its Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando is closing ahead of Hurricane Ian . The storm’s forecast path shifted slightly overnight to the southeast, which would have it pass just above Orlando, where the park is situated. The resort will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.

Filming Shut Down In Tampa Bay As Hurricane Ian Nears Florida Here is the full statement: Given the latest projections, the theme parks and water parks will be closed on Wednesday, September 28 and Thursday September 29. Disney Springs will be closed Wednesday, September 28. We anticipate Disney Springs will be closed on Thursday September 29 and we will provide updates as we continue to track the storm.

We are monitoring weather conditions so we can make timely decisions for the safety of our Cast and Guests, including when it’s safe for Cast to return to the site to prepare for reopening. Related Story Universal Orlando Resort Announces Two-Day Closure Ahead Of Hurricane Ian Walt Disney World Resort Update on Hurricane Ian – For the latest information, visit: https://t. co/tFCa0Atuj5 pic.

twitter. com/2HikYFXRU6 — Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 27, 2022 While the full impact of the storm in Orlando is not expected until Thursday, Seminole County director of the office for emergency management Alan Harris told the Orlando Sentinel that, as Ian is a slow-moving storm, its winds and rain would likely start by Wednesday afternoon and continue until early Friday. January 6th Committee Postpones Next Hearing As Attention Focuses On Hurricane Ian “Regardless of where the storm goes exactly, this will be a flooding event,” said Harris.

“We could see some areas receive up to 15 inches of rain. ” Seminole is just northeast of Disney World. The National Weather Service also warned Orlando and surrounding areas to prepare for “major flooding rain,” winds from 75-110 mph and scattered tornadoes.

Later in the day, the NWS released a new forecast that indicates a high likelihood of flash flooding in the area. See chart below. Flash flood risk in next three days across Florida NOAA Disney’s move gives out-of-state guests a small window to get on a flight before Orlando International Airport ceases commercial operations at 10:30 a.

m. Wednesday. Some guests may choose to hunker down in local hotels, given the WDW Hurricane cancelations/refunds policy on park tickets only allows compensation if there is a Hurricane Warning issued for the area by the National Weather Service.

Currently, the park sits just outside that designation, though the NWS has issued Hurricane Watches “for all inland east central FL counties. ” Hurricane Ian wind forecast as of Tuesday a. m.

NOAA If no Hurricane Warning is issued, the Disney World ticketing page indicates that “tickets and packages at Walt Disney World Resort are nontransferable and nonrefundable. ” Deadline has reached out to park representatives and will add any relevant comment received. While the winds are certainly concerning for the park, “major flooding rain” may be worse.

Portions of the resort are prone to flooding after even normal precipitation. Recent case in point: Earlier this year, guests posted videos of themselves sloshing through the water as a lazy river ran down Hollywood Boulevard at the resort’s Hollywood Studios park. .