As Hurricane Milton gears up to strike Florida, Mickey Mouse's house and its neighboring entertainment are playing a dangerous game of chicken with Mother Nature. The Category 5 monster boasting 175 mph winds is marching towards the Sunshine State while Orlando's theme parks juggle the safety of their guests and the economics of shutdown, as detailed by ABC News.
Today, Milton had morphed into a relentless force, coming hot on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which had struck as a Category 4 and claimed over 230 lives. Despite the impending threat, Walt Disney World Resort remains stubbornly open, "We are closely monitoring the path of the projected storm as we continue to prioritize the safety of our Guests and Cast Members," said a spokesperson in a statement, as reported by ABC News. Likewise, Universal Orlando Resort keeps its doors open while "closely monitoring the weather," according to an update on its website.
SeaWorld Orlando is also staying business as usual for the time being, as per ABC News. A recent announcement on its website stated, "At this time, SeaWorld Orlando remains open as we continue to monitor conditions." But with Milton intensifying, parkgoers are advised to stay alert and informed, as conditions could change rapidly.
For those with itchy feet and booked plans, there's a silver lining if you booked with Disney. The resort has laid out clear terms on its website, offering fee-free cancellations or changes if a hurricane warning is issued—a policy echoed by Universal Orlando with some restrictions. However, "If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation—such as air transportation, hotels, car rental agencies or travel insurance companies—you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers," clarified Disney's policy, as detailed by WESH.
Despite the chaos ahead, vacationers should check the Disney World and Universal Orlando websites for the latest park updates. More importantly, guests must stay informed about Hurricane Milton's approach, as Florida prepares for its impact.