VIDEO: Record Flooding Hits Central Florida — Disney World Status Update

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

Published: 9/29/22 9:02 am EDT
Previous Updates: 9/29/22
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

 

Hurricane Ian finally worked its way through Central Florida and the area containing Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios Resort. Moving incredibly slow across the state, dumping a record amount of flooding that even had an impact on Disney World and Universal Resort areas.

DISNEY FLOODS | Flooding started picking up in Orlando Wednesday night at Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort. Viewer video shows what it looked like as Hurricane Ian moves over Central Florida. pic.twitter.com/Yop8HoM944

— WESH 2 News (@WESH) September 29, 2022

The flooding arrived overnight in Central Florida, and while the exact amount of damage to Disney World is still unknown, we can see that flooding did occur in certain places like here, at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort in the EPCOT Resort Area.

The Double Tree by Universal Orlando Resort also experienced substantial flooding.

Wow. Everyone be safe out there. So many parts of Central Florida are experiencing flooding because of Hurricane Ian. https://t.co/N0ngXWUJM1

— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) September 29, 2022

ABC Action News arrived at Disney World this morning from Tampa Bay, driving in via the entrance from the Eastbound I-4 Exit. The road was still passable with large water buildups on the sides, and there were signs of at least a brief power outage. But Resort Hotel Guests have reported that they still have power this morning.

Cinderella’s Castle gone dark
byu/MaxOwnage inWaltDisneyWorld

Video from Disney’s Art of Animation Resort was posted to Reddit last night and showed the worst of the storm beginning to hit.

There’s 30 min left until they close the Food Court and you can see the bands coming in.
byu/tikiyadenola inWaltDisneyWorld

The Walt Disney World Resort remains closed today, as well as Orlando International Airport. Guests are asked to remain sheltered in place. Reports show that Cast Members are on-hand and in good spirits.

But the severity of this storm situation cannot be understated. The entire Central Florida area from Orange County to the Space Coast is experiencing 60+ mph winds

Let's just take a minute to review- this WHOLE area is under a Flash Flood Warning.

The deep green area in the Wekiva River area is for the Little Wekiva river.

It's 1ft above it's ALL TIME RECORD.

Major flooding widespread in Central Florida;

Oh, and winds are running 60mph pic.twitter.com/UpO4s50g7J

— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) September 29, 2022

Walt Disney World Resort was proactive in removing Guests from at-risk Resort areas like the overwater Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Resort and the entirety of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. We recently shared an account of Guests being evacuated from those areas. Click the link below to read that full story.

Read More: Disney Guest Shares Experience of Evacuating Campground Due To Hurricane Ian

For those still at a Disney World Resort Hotel, here is the dining situation according to Disney World’s weather update:  

*Offering meal kit distribution.

Disney’s All Star Movies Resort

Closed

• World Premiere Food Court
• Silver Screen Spirits Pool Bar

Disney’s All Star Music Resort

Closed

• Intermission Food Court
• Singing Spirits Pool Bar

Disney’s All Star Sports Resort

Closed

• End Zone Food Court
• Grandstand Spirits Pool Bar

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Closed

• Landscape of Flavors
• The Drop Off Pool Bar

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

Open

• The Mara*
• Boma – Flavors of Africa
• Sanaa
• Sanaa Lounge
• Kilimanjaro Club Level
• Victoria Falls Lounge
• Zuwadi Traders (Jambo House)*
• Jahari Treasures (Kidani Village)*
• Club Level – available for Club Level Guests

Closed

• Jiko – The Cooking Place
• Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar
• Uzima Springs Pool Bar
• Maji Pool Bar

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

Open

• Belle Vue Lounge*
• Club Level – available for Club Level Guests
• Convention Center Buffet

Closed

• Trattoria al Forno
• Flying Fish
• AbracadaBar
• Pizza Window
• BoardWalk Ice Cream
• BoardWalk Deli
• Leaping Horse Libations
• Big River Grill & Brewing Works
• BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas
• The To-Go Cart
• The Funnel Cake Cart

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Closed

• Sebastian’s Bistro
• Spyglass Grill
• Centertown Market
• Banana Cabana

Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Open

• Contempo Cafe*
• Chef Mickey’s
• Outer Rim
• Cove Bar
• Steakhouse 71
• Steakhouse 71 Lounge
• Club Level – available for Club Level guests

Closed

• California Grill
• The Sand Bar
• Spyglass Grill
• Contemporary Grounds

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Open

• Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood – Buffet offering
• Barcelona Lounge*
• El Mercado de Coronado*
• Rix Sports Bar & Grill
• Chronos Club Level – available for Club level guests

Closed

• Three Bridges Bar & Grill
• Dahlia Lounge
• Café Rix
• Siestas Cantina
• Laguna Bar
• Maya Grill

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Closed

• Gaspirilla Island Grill
• Beaches Pool Bar & Grill
• Enchanted Rose
• Grand Floridian Café
• 1900 Park Fare
• Victoria & Albert’s
• Narcoossee’s
• Courtyard Pool Bar
• Garden View Tea Room
• Citricos
• Citricos Lounge
• Private Dining

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Closed

• Olivia’s Cafe
• Good’s Food To Go
• Gurgling Suitcase Libations & Spirits
• Turtle Shack Poolside Snacks

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

Open

• Club Lounge – grab n’ go items available for Club Level guests

Closed

• Capt. Cook’s
• Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace and Trader Sam’s Grotto
• Kona Café
• Kona Island
• Tambu Lounge
• ‘Ohana
• Pineapple Lanai
• Barefoot Pool Bar
• Oasis Bar & Grill
• Lobby Bar

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Closed

• Everything POP Shopping & Dining
• Petals Pool Bar

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Closed

• Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory
• Scat Cat’s Club – Cafe
• Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge
• Mardi Grogs

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

Closed

• Riverside Mill Food Court
• Muddy Rivers
• River Roost
• Boatwright’s Dining Hall
• River Roost

Disney’s Riviera Resort

Open

• Primo Piatto*
• La Petit Cafe

Closed

• Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera
• Bar Riva

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Closed

• The Artist’s Palette
• The Turf Club Bar & Grill
• The Turf Club Lounge
• The Paddock Grill
• On the Rocks
• Backstretch Pool Bar
• Chip n’ Dale’s Cafe

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, Boulder Ridge at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort

Open

• Roaring Fork*
• Whispering Canyon Cafe
• Territory Lounge
• Boulder Ridge
• Club Lounge – available for Club Level guests

Closed

• Storybook Dining at Artist Point
• Geyser Point Bar & Grill

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Open

• Ale & Compass Restaurant
• Ale & Compass Lounge
• Beach Club Marketplace*
• Cape May Café
• The Market at Ale & Compass*
• Martha’s Vineyard
• Yachtsman Steakhouse
• Club Level Lounges – available for Club Level guests

Closed

• Crew’s Cup Lounge
• Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar & Grill
• Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

Read More: Resorts Begin Offering Box Meals to Sheltering Guests

We at Disney Fanatic will continue to update our readers on Hurricane Ian’s impact on Walt Disney World Resort as more developments come to light. The most important thing to remember is that while Hurricane Ian still poses a significant threat to Central Florida, the worst is supposed to be over with.

According to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center,

“Ian is moving toward the northeast near 8 mph (13 km/h). A turn toward the north-northeast is expected later today, followed by a turn toward the north and north-northwest with an increase in forward speed Friday and Friday night. On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to move off the east-central coast of Florida soon and then approach the coast of South Carolina on Friday.”

As of right now, only one Disney Cruise Line sailing has been canceled out of Port Canaveral.

Previous Coverage

• Hurricane Update: Storm Center Moves into Disney World County
• Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall, Passing Through Disney World Area Tonight
• Disney World Guests Hunker Down as Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall
• Hurricane Ian Nearing Cat 5 Strength – Disney World Weather Update
• Hurricane Ian Set to Make Landfall, Still Locked on Disney World Area
• Hurricane Ian Eyes Orlando, Disney World Confirms Multi-Day Park Closure
• Ian Still Cat 3, Disney World Under Hurricane Watch
• Ian Now a Category 3, Disney World Still Open Today
• Ian to Become Major Hurricane, Disney Theme Parks Still Opening
• Hurricane Ian Now Category 2, Could Still Hit Disney World
• Hurricane Ian Strengthens, Disney World Under Tropical Storm Watch
• Hurricane Ian Forms in Caribbean — Disney World Weekly Forecast
• Tropical Storm Ian Building Strength, Turning Closer to Disney World
• TS Ian Still Low and Slow, But Some Tracks Stay Over Disney World
• Path to Panhandle Narrows, Disney World Still at Risk
•  Ian Still Tropical Storm, Still Moving West
• Ian to Become Hurricane Sunday, Biden Cancels Disney World Visit
• Ian to Become Category 4 Hurricane, DeSantis Expands State of Emergency
• 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
• DeSantis Declares State of Emergency, MCO Issues Update for Travelers
• Hurricane Likely to Hit Florida as Category 3
• Hurricane Likely to Form, Head for Florida
• Going to Disney World Next Week? Might Want to Start Watching the Weather