In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Florida's parks and attractions are taking various measures to ensure the safety of their visitors and employees. Below is a detailed situation of each park:
Walt Disney World:
Starting Wednesday, September 25, the Disney World theme parks remain open to the public, including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. However, some attractions will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, September 26. Magic Kingdom will extend its operating hours until 8 p.m. that day.
The Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park and the Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland mini golf courses will be closed on Thursday, September 26. Additionally, the Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party scheduled for that day is canceled.
Other Disney activities that will be canceled or closed on Thursday due to Hurricane Helene include the following tours and minigolf experiences:
Savor the Savanna, Up Close with Rhinos, Walking with Giants, Wild Africa Trek, Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf.
Universal Orlando Resort:
The theme parks, including Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and the Halloween Horror Nights events will continue their normal operations.
The Universal Volcano Bay water park will close on Thursday, September 26, and is expected to reopen on Friday, September 27, during its regular hours.
SeaWorld Orlando:
Although it has not issued a specific statement about Helene, its "Weather-or-Not Assurance" policy allows visitors to reschedule their visits in case of bad weather. SeaWorld usually remains open during bad weather, although activities may be affected.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay:
The park will be closed on Thursday, September 26, to ensure the safety of visitors, employees, and animals.
Legoland Florida:
They will remain open: No operational changes have been made. Legoland is monitoring the storm and will update its visitors regarding possible closures.
Fun Spot America:
No statements or operational changes have been issued for their locations in Orlando and Kissimmee.
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens:
The zoo will be closed on Thursday, September 26, and will reopen on Friday, September 27. The Lemurs of Madagascar event has been canceled, and Sunset at the Zoo has been rescheduled for October 10.
How many times has Disney World closed due to hurricanes?
Disney World has closed less than a dozen times since its opening in 1971. Previous closures include:
- Hurricane Floyd (September 1999)
- Hurricane Charley (August 2004)
- Hurricane Frances (August 2004)
- Hurricane Jeanne (August 2004)
- Hurricane Matthew (October 2016)
- Hurricane Irma (October 2017)
- COVID-19 Pandemic (May 15, 2020 - July 11, 2020)
- Hurricane Ian (September 2022)
Each park is taking specific precautions according to the intensity and trajectory of Hurricane Helene, prioritizing the safety of visitors and employees.
Universal Orlando Resort has a severe weather policy that allows visitors to cancel tickets and hotel reservations without cancellation or change fees, as long as a hurricane or tropical storm warning has been issued by the National Hurricane Center or a state of emergency has been declared in Orlando within the week of their arrival. Visitors can contact the Universal Orlando team to manage these cancellations or changes.
For SeaWorld Orlando, they have the "Weather-or-Not Assurance" policy that allows visitors to reschedule their visits if the weather doesn't cooperate, offering the option to return on another date at no additional cost.
Hurricane Helene has intensified to category 1 and is expected to make landfall on Florida's northern coast as a category 4 hurricane after passing through the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico by late Thursday. Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for the entire state in light of the imminent threat.
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