Walt Disney World Resort issued another cancellation ahead of Hurricane Milton‘s landfall.
As Hurricane Milton approached Florida's Gulf Coast, Walt Disney World Resort faced significant pressure to act swiftly. The Central Florida theme park faced criticism for announcing operational changes after several other major theme parks in the region, including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld Orlando, and Universal Orlando Resort.
On October 9, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios will close at 1:00 p.m. EST, while Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, and Disney Springs will follow suit by closing at 2:00 p.m. EST. All four Disney parks are expected to remain closed on Thursday, October 10.
Disney Springs may reopen on Thursday afternoon with limited offerings. The October 10 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party event has been canceled.
Cancellation of Atlanta Auditions
In the wake of the hurricane's forecasted trajectory, Disney Auditions officials made the decision to cancel a scheduled October 9 open call for parade performers in Atlanta, Georgia. The company's entertainment division shared this post on its Instagram story:
Candidates were encouraged to attend a Disney College Program character performer open call in Atlanta on October 8.
State of Emergency and Safety Measures
The potential consequences of Hurricane Milton prompted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency across 51 counties. Meteorologists warned residents about possible wind strengths reaching up to 110 mph in the Orange and Osceola counties, where Walt Disney World Resort is located.
In light of these predictions, local authorities implemented evacuation orders for the areas most vulnerable to the Category 5 hurricane. Road tolls were suspended throughout the state and emergency shoulder use was implemented.
The National Hurricane Center predicts that Hurricane Milton will make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast on Wednesday afternoon. It is currently a Category 5 storm, with winds exceeding 170 mph.
Has Walt Disney World Resort done enough to prepare for Hurricane Milton? Share your opinion with Disney Fanatic in the comments.
