As a precaution against Hurricane Ian, Disney World will close its Florida theme parks and water parks on Wednesday and Thursday.
“We continue to watch Hurricane Ian closely and are making necessary operational adjustments to ensure the safety of our guests and performers,” the organization said on its website.
In addition to Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT, the closure of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf is in effect.
The ESPN Wide World of Sports complex will also be closed, and the park has canceled any Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser “journeys” scheduled to begin on Tuesday or Thursday.
Disney hotels and resorts will remain open, but visitors will be asked to check-in by 3 p.m. Wednesday and stay indoors “for the duration of the storm.” Due to the weather, these accommodations will be closed Wednesday through Friday: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Disney World advised that hotel guests’ dining options “can vary and be extremely limited in other situations.” Park said the cancellation fee will be waived for customers who want to rebook or cancel their reservations.
Because of the storm, Bush Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove have also said they will remain closed through Thursday.
In anticipation of the storm, businesses are shutting down across the region, and airlines are canceling flights.
Tampa International Airport officials have announced that they will cease all flight operations beginning Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. to secure jet bridges, aircraft and other infrastructure in preparation for the storm. Orlando International Airport will cease operations at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Reporting was supplied by Megan Cerullo.