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As Deadly Hurricane Hit Disney World, Cast Members Felt Forced to Stay in Parks

Visitors in colorful raincoats walk down Main Street, U.S.A. at Walt Disney World Resort as Hurricane Milton approaches.
Credit: Jamie S., Disney Fanatic

Every year, hurricane season seems to get worse, and the storms become more deadly. And that is very true this year, with Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton hitting the Sunshine State within two weeks of each other. Hurricane Milton hit the Walt Disney World Resort last week as a Category 3 storm, bringing with it damaging winds, serious rain, and even tornadoes.

Despite the seriousness of the storm, Walt Disney World and other theme parks in the area remained open until just a few hours before the weather got really bad and residents were told to stay indoors.

Satellite image captures Hurricane Milton swirling over the Gulf of Mexico, with dense cloud coverage and the eye of the storm near the coast. As Disney World prepares for possible closures, surrounding landmasses and ocean's deep blue hues are partially visible.

Credit: The National Hurricane Center

Related: Residents of Central Florida Brace for Impact of Another Hurricane

Despite the approaching storm, Disney World remained operational until just hours before Hurricane Milton’s impact. The parks initially opened their doors for service but were ultimately forced to shut down early. Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom closed at 1 p.m., while EPCOT and Magic Kingdom followed suit at 2 p.m. However, even as guests began to leave due to the weather, the expectation for cast members to remain onsite persisted.

In the lead-up to Hurricane Milton, a significant number of Disney World cast members reported feeling an overwhelming pressure to work despite increasingly dangerous weather conditions. Employees detailed their distress as they faced storm warnings, with high winds and flash flooding projected to impact Orlando.

Guests visit Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom during Hurricane Milton

Credit: Jamie S., Disney Fanatic

As the weather worsened, many cast members expressed concerns about their safety and criticized management for poor communication. According to multiple sources, the lack of clarity from supervisors left workers feeling as though they were “flying blind” while tasked with their responsibilities during such a precarious situation.

Several employees, who opted to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, spoke to Business Insider and voiced disappointment with Disney’s approach to scheduling and safety preparations prior to Hurricane Milton’s arrival. Despite dire forecasts, cast members were required to maintain their shifts and were not allowed to leave early, which increased their anxiety as conditions deteriorated. Some workers described the atmosphere in the parks as unsettling, with attendance plummeting to just 10% in some areas.

People wearing colorful ponchos, resembling a troupe of Disney Cast Members, walk on a wet, scenic pathway, surrounded by trees and rocky structures on an overcast day.

Credit: Jamie S., Disney Fanatic

Related: How To Navigate Hurricane Season at Walt Disney World

Officials from Disney maintained that safety was the top priority but faced backlash for their decision to keep the parks open until the last possible moment. The criticism persisted as reports emerged of cast members feeling unsupported and unsafe in the early stages of the hurricane.

Disney released a statement to The New York Post, saying they always make cast member safety a priority.

“Safety is always our first and most important factor when making decisions that will affect our cast members and guests and throughout the storm, we provided frequent and timely updates on our changes to make sure they returned home hours before the worst of the weather reached Central Florida,” 

Guests visit the Magic Kingdom during Hurricane Milton

Credit: Jamie S., Disney Fanatic

The financial ramifications of Hurricane Milton are expected to be significant for Disney’s parks division, with estimates ranging from $150 million to $200 million in potential losses.

One of the most prominent issues raised by cast members during Hurricane Milton was the apparent breakdown in internal communication. Employees highlighted a lack of clear direction from management as a considerable concern during the crisis.

Furthermore, the threat of disciplinary action for absent workers loomed large in the minds of many cast members. Concerns about accruing points for missed shifts left employees torn between prioritizing their safety and adhering to company expectations. Employees pointed out that unexcused absences could lead to repercussions, including potential termination, thus exacerbating the overall distress they felt during Hurricane Milton’s dangerous approach.

Do you think Disney did the wrong thing in keeping its theme parks open until right before the hurricane hit? Let us know in the comments!

About Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!

2 comments

  1. The park should not of opened that day period they should have put everyone’s safety first and I believe they were definitely wrong for the way they handled this hurricane!

  2. The parks should have closed Wednesday and Thursday and put protection and safety before $$$$. Money can be made life can not come back. The thought of loosing your job because you put safety first should not of been a thought.

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