Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and Legoland are all closing their Florida theme parks as Hurricane Milton approaches the state’s west coast.
Hurricane Milton, currently a massive category five storm, is expected to hit west-central Florida tonight with winds of up to 165mph (270km/h).
As millions of Floridians rush to leave their homes, theme park operators including Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and Legoland are taking precautions.
In a weather update, Walt Disney World Resort said Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom will close today (9 October) at 1pm. Magic Kingdom, Epcot and the Disney Springs complex will close at 2pm.
Category five storm to hit Florida
Disney World says it’s “likely” the parks will remain closed tomorrow (10 October), but Disney Springs may open in the late afternoon with limited offerings.
The resort has cancelled its Halloween event at Magic Kingdom on 10 October, and is closing the Typhoon Lagoon water park today and tomorrow.
At Universal Orlando today, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk will be open until 2pm. They will all be closed tomorrow.
Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay water park will be closed today and tomorrow. In addition, Halloween Horror Nights is cancelled for 9 October and 10 October.
United Parks & Resorts is closing SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay today and tomorrow, with the Howl-O-Scream event also cancelled for 10 October.
Legoland Florida will be closed today and tomorrow. The resort’s Peppa Pig Theme Park is also shut.
US President Joe Biden has warned Floridians living in areas under an evacuation order to leave as he says it is “a matter of life and death”. He says the “time to evacuate is now, now, now”.
Milton comes less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene hit the Gulf Coast as a category four storm.
Images courtesy of Disney and Universal
