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Hurricane Ian Eyes Orlando, Disney World Confirms Multi-Day Park Closure

Posted by: T.K. Bosacki September 27, 2022 Reading time: 5 minutes

Hurricane Disney World

Latest Update: 9/30/22 8:57 pm EDT – Disney World Theme Parks Return to Normal Operation Saturday

Published: 9/27/22 5:42 pm EDT
Previous Update: 9/27/22 11:27 pm EDT – Hurricane Ian Set to Make Landfall, Still Locked on Disney World Area
Previous Updates: 9/28/22
8:43 am EDT – Hurricane Ian Nearing Cat 5 Strength – Disney World Weather Update
12:38 pm EDT – Disney World Guests Hunker Down as Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall
6:02 pm EDT – Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall, Passing Through Disney World Area Tonight
11:30 pm EDT – Storm Center Moves into Disney World County
Previous Updates: 9/29/22
9:03 am EDT – VIDEO: Record Flooding Hits Central Florida — Disney World Status Update
12:20 pm EDT – Ian Leaving Florida, But Storm Still Rages in Orlando Area
7:10 pm EDT – Disney World, Disney Cruise Line Assess Damage Reopening Plans
Previous Updates: 9/30/22
8:47 am EDT – Storm has Passed – Disney World, Universal, MCO Begin Reopening
12:34 pm EDT – Post-Storm Update: Crowds Return to Parks, Disney World Weekend Weather Forecast

 

The National Hurricane Center has issued its 5:00 pm full advisory, and it is becoming all the more likely to visit Central Florida. Boasting sustained winds of 120 mph as it heads for Southwest Florida, the entire Theme Park Capital and Orlando Metro Area is now under a Hurricane Warning. Guests and residents alike should now expect hurricane conditions to arrive within the next 36 hours.

Hurricane Ian’s immanent threat has caused Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort to close their Theme Parks for Wednesday and Thursday.

According to the NHC,

At 500 PM EDT (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Ian was located near latitude 24.0 North, longitude 83.2 West. Ian is moving toward the north near 10 mph (17 km/h). A turn toward the north-northeast with a reduction in forward speed is forecast tonight and Wednesday…Maximum sustained winds remain near 120 mph (195 km/h) with higher gusts. Ian is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Re-strengthening is expected later today through Wednesday… Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles (65 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km).

Click here for the full advisory.

Borderline Hurricane conditions are expected to hit Orange County, Osceola County, and the rest of Central Florida. That means winds for anywhere between 45 and 80 mph, with gusts potentially exceeding that range. Tornado activity is predicted for some areas, and the downpour of rain could amount to 1-2 feet. The center of the entire storm could pass over the Orlando Metro Area Thursday.

Hurricane Ian Update

Credit: NHC

Orlando International Airport announced that it would close to all non-emergency air traffic in accordance with an FAA order starting at 10:30 am Wednesday.

Disney World and Disney Cruise Line Weather Updates

Disney World Closing Hurricane

With the latest and closer information, we are finally about to see how this storm is expected to affect Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line.

Disney Cruise Line confirmed that this storm would have an impact on at least its two cruises ending and beginning at Port Canaveral on Friday, September 30.

Disney Cruise Line stated on its website,

“We are closely monitoring Hurricane Ian. Based on the current projected forecast, we anticipate that the Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will sail as scheduled. However, there is a possibility that the Disney Wish will return to Port Canaveral on Friday, September 30, later than originally scheduled. We will notify Guests should it be necessary to delay embarkation for the September 30 Disney Wish sailing.”

Just before this article’s publication Walt Disney World Resort confirmed that they would be closing Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Wednesday, September 28, and Thursday, September 29. As for its shopping and dining center, Disney Springs, Disney confirmed it would be closed Thursday but will wait to judge the situation before opening or closing on Friday.

Disney World has already taken measures to close and relocate Guests in high-risk lodging accommodations like the overwater Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

We at Disney Fanatic advise all of our readers whose Disney World Vacations have been affected by this storm to please reach out to the Walt Disney Travel Company or your Authorized Disney Vacation Planner on cancelation and rescheduling conditions if you have not been contacted directly first.

We will continue to update our readers on Hurricane Ian and how it will affect Disney World and the rest of Central Florida as more developments come to light.

Previous Coverage

About T.K. Bosacki

Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, TK Bosacki is a professional writer, amateur adventurer, and lifelong Disney Fanatic. His Disney Park days include Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Nomad Lounge. He believes in starting at the Canada pavilion (IYKYK), and the Monorail is superior to all Ferry Boats.

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