Disney World And Universal Orlando Are Planning Some Closures As Hurricane Helene Approaches Florida

Disney World And Universal Orlando Are Planning Some Closures As Hurricane Helene Approaches Florida

As someone who has spent countless days and nights exploring the magical lands of Disney World and Universal Orlando, it’s always a bittersweet moment to hear about closures due to weather. Hurricanes are an inevitable part of Florida life, but that doesn’t make them any less disruptive to our theme park adventures!


One factor influencing Walt Disney’s choice of central Florida for his “East Coast Disneyland” was its agreeable year-round climate, which typically avoids severe winter closures. Yet, despite this advantage, periodic hurricanes may necessitate temporary park shutdowns due to adverse weather conditions, as we are witnessing now with Disney World, Universal Orlando, and other theme parks taking similar precautions.

Hurricane Helene is heading towards Florida, and though it’s predicted that the storm will bypass much of the state, there’s a strong chance Florida will still experience significant rainfall. Consequently, various theme parks have decided to shut down some or all of their resorts due to this potential weather event.

Disney World And Universal Orlando Are Closing Water Parks And More

Today, it’s been announced that both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort will shut their water parks on September 26th. Notably, Universal’s Volcano Bay, which debuted in 2017 as a standout feature at Universal Orlando Resort, is among those closing. On the other hand, Disney World is temporarily closing Typhoon Lagoon, while Blizzard Beach, another water park at Disney World, has been under refurbishment since March and is set to reopen in November.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’d put it like this: “Today, some of my favorite Disney World experiences are taking a break – mini-golf adventures, Savor the Savanna tour, Up Close with Rhinos, Walking with Giants, and Wild Africa Trek. Guess we’ll have to find new virtual worlds to explore for now.

Currently, it’s planned that both the remainder of Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort will be operational. However, this may alter throughout the day if the hurricane alters its path or if additional rainfall from the storm is anticipated.

When visiting Universal and Disney World theme parks, it’s important to anticipate occasional wet days due to rain. This implies that although the parks themselves might remain open, certain attractions or experiences could temporarily shut down. For instance, water rides or roller coasters may not function in heavy rainfall conditions. Additionally, there’s a chance of minor flooding at Disney World if it rains heavily.

Other Theme Parks In Florida Are Closing For The Day

Tomorrow, while Disney World and Universal Studios seem to be carrying on with regular operations, Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay has decided to shut down due to the storm approaching. For now, other parks like SeaWorld Orlando and Legoland Florida are planning to stay open, but this could change depending on the weather conditions.

It’s been commonly believed that Magic Kingdom’s castle disintegrates during hurricanes, but it’s important to note that Disney World and other theme parks have experienced hurricanes before. Although damage has taken place, these parks were designed to withstand such weather events, so they are expected to navigate through them relatively unscathed.

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2024-09-25 22:07