As it prepares for Hurricane Ian, Disney World has announced that its Florida theme parks and water parks would be closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
The business posted a statement on its website saying, “We are carefully monitoring Hurricane Ian and making the necessary operational modifications to safeguard the safety of our Guests and Cast Members.”
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, Fantasia Gardens, and Fairways Miniature Golf are also affected by the closures in addition to Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT.
According to the theme park, any Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser “voyages” that were supposed to start on Tuesday or Thursday have been postponed and ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex will also be shut down.
The Disney hotels and resorts will be open as usual, but check-in is required by 3 p.m. Certain lodgings, including Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, will be closed due to the weather from Wednesday through Friday.
Hotel guests’ eating selections “may vary, and in some circumstances may be quite restricted,” Disney World said. The park said cancellation costs would be forgiven for those who want to rebook their stays or cancel altogether.
The hurricane has forced the closure of many theme parks, including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Discovery Cove.
The park closures coincide with a region-wide business closure and aircraft cancellations due to the storm.
The Tampa International Airport will stop all aircraft operations at 5 p.m., according to authorities. Tuesday to secure jet bridges, aircraft, and other machinery in order to get the airport and terminals ready for the storm. At 10:30 on Wednesday, Orlando International Airport will stop operating.