Ian to Become Hurricane Sunday, Biden Cancels Disney World Visit

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

Published: 9/24/22 11:25 pm EDT
Previous Updates: 9/25/22
8:45 am EDT –  Ian Still Tropical Storm, Still Moving West
11:45 am EDT – Path to Panhandle Narrows, Disney World Still at Risk
5:41 pm EDT – TS Ian Still Low and Slow, But Some Tracks Stay Over Disney World
11:33 pm EDT –Topical Storm Ian Building Strength, Turning Closer to Disney World
Previous Updates: 9/26/22
9:00 am EDT – Hurricane Ian Forms in Caribbean – Disney World Weekly Forecast
11:39 am EDT – Hurricane Ian Strengthens, Disney World Under Tropical Storm Watch
5:34 pm EDT – Hurricane Ian Now Category 2, Could Still Hit Disney World
11:25 pm EDT – Ian Expected to Become Major Hurricane, Disney Theme Parks Still Opening
Previous Updates: 9/27/22
8:45 am EDT – Ian Now a Category 3, Disney World Still Open Today
11:34 am EDT – Ian Still Cat 3, Disney World Under Hurricane Watch
5:43 pm EDT – Hurricane Ian Eyes Orlando, Disney World Confirms Multi-Day Park Closure
11:27 pm EDT – Hurricane Ian Set to Make Landfall, Still Locked on Disney World Area
Previous Update: 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 (NHC) has just released its 11:00 pm full advisory concerning Tropical Storm Ian. Here is the latest and how it will affect Disney Vacations.

According to the latest reports, Tropical Storm Ian has intensified, with sustained winds recorded at 50 mph, and the NHC anticipates that it will become a hurricane on Sunday. But Ian continues to be tracking west, slowing from a 16 mph pace to around 13 mph. It still has not made its forecasted turn to the north, but the NHC still expects it to arrive in the Gulf of Mexico by Tuesday.

11pm advisory for #Ian is in; Here's a look. More on this on WESH 2 News at 11! pic.twitter.com/j5JfBDUae3

— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) September 25, 2022

It appears that the new tracks have released almost half of Florida’s peninsula from the “cone of uncertainty,” and while Ian is still expected to become a Category 4 out at sea, it is expected to weaken to a Category 1 when it makes landfall Thursday night. However, Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and the rest of Central Florida are at risk of being affected. Southern Florida and the Florida Keys are also still expected to get multiple inches of rain in the coming days.

For those planning to arrive at or are currently staying at the Walt Disney World Resort this coming week, relax. You are in one of the safest places in Florida. Would-be and current Guests should be aware, though, that Resort hotels will most likely be at or close to occupancy as local families evacuate their homes to take shelter in superior Disney infrastructure. Universal Orlando Resort hotels could experience the same. Walt Disney World Cast Members will be working around the clock to ensure that you are warm, fed, dry, and comfortable.

For would-be Disney Cruise Line Guests, Western Caribbean destinations like the Cayman Islands and the Yucatan remain bombarded by this storm, but the Eastern Caribbean appears clear. Miami is now clear of the “cone of uncertainty,” and Port Canaveral is also nearly clear. But we are not out of the woods yet, and there are a lot of unknowns left to consider. And even if it remains offshore, a category 4 hurricane can still send tropical storm force winds and even hurricane force winds and rain to the Disney World Area.

Joe Biden also announced he backed Gov. DeSantis’ now-statewide emergency declaration, activating FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security. Biden was supposed to attend the Democratic National Committee Rally, which was to be held on Walt Disney World Resort property on Wednesday, September 27. But, according to WESH2, both Biden’s visit and the rally have been canceled due to the storm.

At the time of this article’s publication, there is still no word from Walt Disney World or Disney Cruise Line on whether or not this storm will affect normal operations in any way.

Click here to read the National Hurricane Center’s full advisory.

We at Disney Fanatic will continue to update our readers on this storm as more developments come to light.

Previous Coverage

• Ian to Become Category 4 Hurricane, DeSantis Expands State of Emergency
• Tropical Weather Update: Path Moves Slightly West, Cape Canaveral Begins Preparations
• Tropical Storm Ian Grows, Disney World County Starts Storm Prep
• Tropical Storm Ian Forms, Category 2 Hurricane Now Expected to Reach Disney World Area
• Tropical Weather Update: DeSantis Declares State of Emergency, MCO Issues Update for Travelers
• Tropical Weather Update: Hurricane Likely to Hit Florida as Category 3
• Storm Update: Hurricane Likely to Form, Head for Florida
• Going to Disney World Next Week? Might Want to Start Watching the Weather