Disney World, other Orlando theme parks to close in anticipation of Hurricane Milton

As Hurricane Milton churns through the Gulf of Mexico and approaches Florida, Orlando's theme parks are keeping a close eye on the storm's development and making operational changes.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Milton had gone from a Category 5 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph, to a Category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The National Hurricane Center noted in an advisory that "while fluctuations in intensity are expected, Milton is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall in Florida." The NHC stated that the storm is "likely to make landfall along the west-central coast of Florida on Wednesday night, and move east-northeastward across central Florida through Thursday."

Milton comes less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm in Florida's Big Bend region. More than 230 people have died due to Helene, according to the Associated Press.

Check back here to see which theme parks are open, closed or impacted by this latest storm.

Is Walt Disney World closing for Hurricane Milton?

Walt Disney World Resort announced Tuesday afternoon that it would close its theme parks and Disney Springs in phases starting on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

Starting at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Disney will shut down Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Then, on Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET, Disney will close Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and nearby Disney Springs. Walt Disney World Transportation will also halt service following theme park and Disney Springs closures.

"It is likely the theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, Oct. 10. We will consider opening Disney Springs on Thursday in the late afternoon, with limited offerings," Disney stated on its website.

The Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party event at Magic Kingdom that was originally scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 10, will also be canceled. Event tickets will be refunded, Disney said.

Disney is also temporarily closing its Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa beginning at 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 9. They are likely to remain closed until Sunday, Oct. 13, according to Disney.

Additionally, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on Wednesday, the company said.

Is Universal Orlando Resort closing for Hurricane Milton?

Universal Orlando announced Tuesday it will stay open until 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 9 and then close Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk on Thursday, Oct. 10.

The resort also said it was canceling Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida and will fully close Universal Volcano Bay on both Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.

"Our hotels remain operational as they focus on taking care of our guests," Universal added on its website.

Universal Orlando said it plans to reopen by Friday, Oct. 11.

Is SeaWorld Orlando closing for Hurricane Milton?

SeaWorld Orlando remained open on Tuesday, however its parent company, United Parks & Resorts Inc., stated that the park would close Wednesday, Oct. 9, and Thursday, Oct. 10, "to ensure the safety of our ambassadors, guests and animals."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the latest park information.

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