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Will Disney World Be Reopen This Weekend? Iconic Resort Bunkers Down for Hurricane Milton

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

As Hurricane Milton bears down on Central Florida, Walt Disney World has taken the cautious step of extending its closure through at least Thursday, October 10.

Cinderella Castle Tomorrowland Dusk

Credit: Jeff Krause, Flickr

The Category 4 storm has caused widespread disruption, leaving Disney fans to wonder when the parks will reopen and the magic will return.

Disney had originally planned for a possible Thursday reopening, but with the intensity of Hurricane Milton, that decision has been pushed back. All four parks—Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom—closed on Wednesday, October 9, and Disney Springs followed suit shortly after.

Events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party have been canceled, and transportation options like Minnie Vans have been suspended for guest safety.

What’s Next for Disney Park Fans?

The image shows the entrance to Disneyland Park, a popular theme park, with a train station building in the background. People are gathered in front of the gated entrance, and flags adorn the rooftops. The sky is cloudy inside of this Disney park in California.

Credit: Ed Aguila, Disney Fanatic

There’s hope that Walt Disney World could reopen as early as Friday, October 11. However, reopening depends on the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Milton, not just to the parks themselves, but to the surrounding areas in Central Florida. In past storms, Disney has worked quickly to assess damage and reopen as soon as possible, but the timeline this time remains uncertain.

Hurricane Irma in 2017 caused the longest weather-related closure in Disney World’s history, shutting the parks for two full days. Depending on how Hurricane Milton impacts Central Florida, it’s possible this storm could match or even exceed that record. While Disney is known for its incredible response time, safety checks and repairs will need to be made before guests can return to the parks.

Is Friday a Realistic Reopening Date?

People wearing rain ponchos walk through Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort ahead of Hurricane Milton.

Credit: Jamie Sylvester, Disney Fanatic

Disney is hopeful for a Friday reopening, but it’s far from guaranteed. Hurricane Milton is still making its way through Florida, and the extent of the damage will be clearer once the storm passes. Disney’s operations team will need to ensure the parks are safe, which could mean addressing potential flooding, debris, and any structural damage.

The reopening also depends heavily on the state of Central Florida’s infrastructure. If roads are blocked, power is out, or airports are closed, it will be difficult for Disney to fully resume operations. Guests staying on property can remain in their resort hotels, but certain areas, like Fort Wilderness, have been temporarily closed as a safety measure.

Disney has extended the expiration dates of multi-day tickets, and other guest accommodations are in place for those affected by the closures. Right now, the best thing fans can do is stay patient and keep an eye on official Disney updates for more information. While we all hope the parks reopen on Friday, the decision will ultimately depend on the extent of Hurricane Milton’s damage.

About Andrew Boardwine

A frequent visitor of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, Andrew will likely be found freefalling on Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or enjoying Pirates of the Caribbean. Over at Universal, he'll be taking in the thrills of the Jurassic World Velocicoaster and Revenge of the Mummy

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