No matter how much planning you’ve put into your vacation, sometimes the unpredictable happens that causes your trip to be canceled.
Rain in Hollywood Studios
Severe weather can threaten Florida and Disney World. That might make you wonder just what happens if a hurricane cancels your visit. We’re breaking down Disney World’s cancelation policy and sharing everything you need to know.
So, what is Disney World’s official Hurricane Policy, and what can you do if a hurricane impacts your trip?
Hurricane skies in Disney World
On the Disney World website, the Hurricane Policy reads, “If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort hotel packages and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney. Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates.”
©Disney
It’s important to note that the beginning of the policy says that a hurricane warning must be issued by the National Hurricane Center for “the Orlando area” or for your place of residence — so the Hurricane Policy would not apply to tropical storm warnings.
Disney’s Riviera Resort
If you booked any part of your vacation through a third party, Disney is not responsible for any refunds and you should contact the service you purchased from to find out what their cancelation policy may be.
©Disney
Additionally, if you booked with a special rate or deal, Cast Members will generally work with you to apply those deals if they’re still available — but be aware that the same special rates may not be available and you’ll be responsible for paying the price difference.
©Disney
All amounts you paid to the Walt Disney Travel Company for rooms, park tickets, dining plans, and other Disney products and services will be applied toward your new reservation.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney World tickets are nontransferable and nonrefundable, so you cannot cancel a ticket or get a refund for it. Disney warns that “while you cannot cancel or get a refund for a tickets or package, you may be able to change the date of your unused tickets.”
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If there is a hurricane warning issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, “you may be able to reschedule or cancel your ticket or vacation package.”
Disney World
You can often use unexpired tickets in the future as long as the first date has not already been used. You may able to change the date on an unused standard theme park ticket via the Disney World website.
Disney also specifies “The amount paid for an unused, expired ticket may be applied towards the purchase of a new ticket at the current price so long as the new ticket purchase price is equal to or greater than the amount paid for the original ticket.”
Disney World Theme Park Ticket Cards
If you have a sports or group package or a package for a special event, be sure to call your event manager for assistance.
©Disney
If you reschedule your vacation to another date, Disney can’t guarantee that you’ll get the same or similar accommodations for your new travel dates, so just keep that in mind.
©Disney
As far as dining goes, each Disney World restaurant has its own cancelation policy, and during hurricanes, the Dining Cancelation Policy can vary. Typically, most restaurants will allow you to cancel your reservation up to 2 hours in advance by either canceling online or by calling (407) 824-1391.
Olivia’s Cafe Brunch Spread
There are some restaurants, however, where modifications generally aren’t allowed once a reservation is confirmed. These include:
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review
- Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Pre-Party
- Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Post-Party
- Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Seats & Sweets
- Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise
- Rose & Crown Fireworks Dining Package
- Spice Road Table Fireworks Dining Package
- Celebration at the Top – Sip, Savor, Sparkle
- Top of the World Lounge – multiple products
Entering Cinderella’s Royal Table
And there are some restaurants that require earlier cancelation to avoid fees or have higher fees. Those are noted below. These policies CAN sometimes change when a hurricane approaches, however.
©Disney
For example, for Hurricane Ian in 2022, Disney announced that they would not be enforcing cancelation policies until further notice for dining. This also applied to other special experiences, like Savi’s Workshop or the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. This may happen for future storms as well.
In all cases except for the updated dining policy, these refunds are typically not automatic — you have to call Disney at (407) 939-7675 and speak with a Cast Member who will be able to assist you! They can walk you through the process and let you know what your options are.
You can find Guest Relations near each park entrance.
Of course, Disney is known for sprinkling some pixie dust here and there, and it’s usually worth speaking to a Cast Member about why you have to cancel — they may not be able to do anything about it, but it never hurts to ask! Just make sure you’re being nice and respectful to the Cast Members who are there to help you.
Magic Kingdom
For Hurricane Idalia in 2023, Disney issued the following statements regarding Evacuees and First Responders Support, Travel Flexibility, and Storm Recovery.
Evacuees & First Responders Support: Florida residents evacuating from the storm and first responders assisting in storm-related recovery efforts may also receive 50% off Disney Resort hotel stays on the evenings of August 29-31, 2023. For evacuees, please call 407-W-DISNEY for details. For first responders, please call 407-828-3200. This applies to new bookings only and is based on availability.
Travel Flexibility: At this time, change and cancellation fees imposed by Disney will be waived for check-in dates of August 28, 2023 through September 4, 2023. Guests currently staying at our Disney Resort hotels whose travel plans have been impacted by the storm may receive a discounted rate to extend their stay through the evening of August 31, if needed, by visiting the front desk.
Storm Recovery: Walt Disney World is prepared to once again serve as a staging area for storm-related recovery efforts for the state of Florida.
So it’s important to look carefully for any messages Disney might issue as a storm approaches because those may alter certain policies or rules.
Current projections for Hurricane Idalia
Check out our other hurricane resources below:
- 6 Tips for Planning a Disney World Trip During Hurricane Season
- The Best Hurricane-Ready Hotels During Hurricane Season
- 8 Tips for Riding Out a Hurricane in Disney World
Keep following DFB for more updates as you plan your next Disney World vacation.
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Have you been to Disney World during severe weather? Let us know in the comments!
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It is disgraceful that Disney canceled the 9/29/22 Mickey’s not so Scary Halloween event due to a Hurricane warning (Ian) closing their parks 3 days and refuse to refund guests for the tickets they purchased. Instead they indicated the tickets would be held in the guest’s account for future use. How ridiculous since this special event is only held in September and October on a select number of days. Therefore people who purchased these ticket which sold for even more than a regular one day park pass would need to wait until next September/October to reuse them. Disney obviously cares nothing for their patrons paying hard earned money to partake in this event but instead only care about the almighty dollar. I will no longer visit any Disney park. Their response was Special Event tickets are not refundable.
Hi Kim! Disney is offering refunds. We posted about this just a little while ago if you would like to take a look at how to get a refund: https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022/09/28/how-to-get-a-refund-for-the-canceled-mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party-in-disney-world/
We are local (north of Disney apx 80 miles). We are supposed to check into Fort Wilderness on Sunday afternoon, with park visits Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday night we have Not So Scary tickets as well. I haven’t received any emails, updates, ect from Disney. This should a be cleared out by Friday morning. Unless Disney really floods out or there is a tornado, I’m guessing they’ll be open Sat or Sunday for business. What do you think?
I live in Michigan. Will a refund be given because of the need to leave because of Ian ? The group was in a Disney resort and we had plans to stay to Friday or Saturday. Refunds on meals or anything?
I bought a 3 day ticket and due to the hurricane and the 2 day closures – I am only able to use 2 out of the 3 days. I would like to get a refund for that 1 day ticket that I am unable to use. I don’t want to get an extension to use for 1 day. I don’t travel to Disney every year. We should be allowed to get a refund.
I am from WV and have tickets for Friday night not so scary Halloween and a park tickets for. Sat .butduemyflight being cancelled and no other flights available can I call and get a refund due to the hurricane. Nor both
Hi Kathy. I would call and ask about that.
Hi! My family and I recently went to Disney World from 9/24/22 – 10/1/22. My husband has been trying to get in touch with someone to inquire about getting a refund for the 2 park days they closed since we got back and keeps getting redirected. Does anyone know about a phone # or anything that they’ve had luck with? He’s been on the phone hours a day with no luck. We would appreciate any tips or information anyone has. Thank you!
I have been trying to call since our trip to disney . I was told because of hurricane Ian and people leaving because the park was closing I would get a refund. That was in October the first week . I still have not heard from anyone about my refund. We checked in On Monday and had to leave Tuesday and it was my lityle girls birthday .
I had reservation for Galtic Starcruiser check in on the 9/29/22. Disney notified me the hotel would be closed because of the hurricane. When I called to see about my refund I was told because I had purchased their offered travel Insurance I would need to collect thru the insurance, if I had not purchased the travel insurance I would get a refund. Aon policy reads if your carrier cancels they pay cancellation fees. Disney says the cancellation fee was the full price of the reservation, Aon says there was no cancellation fee. Disney refused to give me the document they sent to Aon saying the hotel fee was in full the cancellation fee. I do not think Disney can say there is no cancellation fees except if you bought insurance. I am stuck between Aon and Disney and I think Aon has it right.