I’m sure you all know that Disney World may be in the direct path of a pretty strong hurricane this weekend and/or early next week. Cruises have been canceled, flights have been canceled, and we’re hearing form our readers that entire vacations are being canceled due to the threat of Hurricane Irma.
Irma’s path as of 9-8
In this post, we’ll be updating regularly with any cancellations and closures we hear about due to the storm, and any tips and updates that might be helpful for those in Disney World during the storm, or those planning to head to Orlando this weekend. Stay tuned and stay safe.
Disney World and Other Theme Park Closures
Updated 9/8 2:58 PM ET:
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Disney World’s theme parks and other Orlando area theme parks will be closing starting Saturday evening and remaining closed through Monday.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks will close at 7 p.m. Saturday, followed by Magic Kingdom and Epcot at 9 p.m. All four are expected to stay closed through Monday, Disney officials announced Friday afternoon.
Water park Typhoon Lagoon will close Saturday at 5 p.m. and will not operate Sunday or Monday. Blizzard Beach, which was closed Friday, also will be unavailable Sunday and Monday.
Saturday’s end-of-night finales at Disney parks, such as “Rivers of Light” show at Animal Kingdom and the “Happily Ever After” fireworks at Magic Kingdom, have also been pulled from the lineup.
Stores at Disney Springs will close by 9 p.m. Saturday, and they will not be open for business on Sunday or Monday.
NOTE THAT HOTELS AND RESORTS WILL STILL BE OPEN AND DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO CATER TO THEIR GUESTS.
Information for guests staying at Disney World hotels
Sea World, Legoland, and Busch Gardens have also scheduled closures starting Saturday night.
Resort Hotel Updates
We are seeing reports on Resort Hotel Facebook fan pages that guests are being informed that a 7 p.m. curfew will be in place tonight at the hotels. And, check out this post from Pop Century!
Orlando International Airport
Orlando International Airport will suspend flights starting at 5:15 pm on Saturday, September 9th. Orlando Sanford International Airport will suspend flights starting at 5:15 pm on Saturday, September 9th. Flights won’t resume until further notice.
If this affects your travels, be sure to contact your airline for more information.
Advance Dining Reservations for Disney World Restaurants
Please be advised of these temporary changes to making or canceling Advance Dining Reservations: new dining reservations are not being accepted for any Disney World restaurants for the dates of September 10th or 11th. Also, the regular dining cancellation policies will not be enforced for reservations through Monday, September 11th. Below is the statement from the Disney World website.
Screenshot from Disney World website
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Cancellation
We have an important update for anyone who has tickets to the September 10th Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The event has been cancelled (September 10th only) in anticipation of Hurricane Irma.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
If you do have tickets, please note the following options that are posted on the Disney World website. Guests may exchange their September 10th ticket for one of the following:
– Tickets to attend another Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
– Tickets to attend an upcoming Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
– 1 Day Magic Your Way Tickets with Park Hopper Option, to be used within the next 2 years
– A full refund for event tickets
Call (407) 939-7818 or email [email protected], and have your tickets available in order for your request to be processed as soon as possible.
Fort Wilderness Closure
Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds will close beginning Saturday, September 9 at 2:00 pm (the reopen date has not yet been posted). Remember, this will also impact Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, Trail’s End, and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ reservations.
Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show Cancellation
We were notified that the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been cancelled for Saturday night. We believe the Sunday night performance will also be cancelled.
Night of Joy Cancellation
Additionally, Night of Joy at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex has been cancelled for September 9th (the September 8th Night of Joy will still take place). September 9th guests may attend the Friday night event or request a full refund.
Blizzard Beach Closure
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
will also be closed on Friday, September 8th and Saturday, September 9th.
‘Ohana Menu Changes
Guests with ADR for tonight have been told that dinner at ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will be treated to a buffet style meal rather than the typical all-you-care-to-enjoy skewered meats and sides. The buffet is priced at $20 per adult, $10 per child (or one Disney Dining Plan credit).
Free Food at Parks
Animal Kingdom has been handing out free food during the day on Saturday, presumably in advance of the park being closed for the next two days. Elephant Ear cookies and Flame Tree BBQ Ribs have been spotted. If you’re in the parks tonight, keep your eyes open!
Disney’s Hurricane Policies and FAQs
Also remember, Disney’s Hurricane Policy and FAQs are posted on the Disney World website!
Disney also has a page dedicated to Hurricane Irma and any related closures and cancellations!
Stay safe, everybody!!
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I’ve been on hold for more than an hour now. I tried to call earlier this morning right when the lines opened to reschedule my reservation but after 45 minutes I had to hang up.
Why don’t they have more agents on board to help with reservation changes during these times? They know there will be a flood of calls.
We were just notified that the Spirit of Aloha luau is cancelled for Saturday night. We had ADRs for the earlier show, I’m sure they’re cancelling Sunday’s shows as well.
I am sending thoughts and prayers to ALL cast members and guests that they are kept safe and sound during this storm
Please be extra careful and see you in 3 weeks
Thanks for the update. My first hope is for the safety of all guests and cast members.
Not seeing anything the linked pages about refunds for Food & Wine seminars. Given the update from Jennifer on hold times, I think I’ll wait to call to find out.
We’ve rescheduled for Tuesday afternoon and hoping for the best. Stay safe everybody!
As to putting on “more agents” to take the phone calls – they probably have everyone working who can work. These folks are getting ready for a hurricane too.
Yes, I had to be on hold for 40 minutes after getting thrown out of the system a few times due to volume. But once I gout through the agent was incredibly calm and helpful considering what the work load must be for them.
Instead of thinking of only ourselves (yes, I know you’re disappointed about your trip – who wouldn’t be) lets think about everyone who might lose everything and who are STILL working to help us. We need some positive Magical energy.
I got a personal call at 3:30 letting me know that Epcot is closed Sunday and refunding my seminar fee. Definitely above and beyond the call of duty, no pun intended.
I hope the call center is not in Orlando and that they are not putting anyone in harm’s way over the weekend as the storm approaches.
First and foremost are my thoughts and prayers for those who are about to lose possibly everything due to this terrible storm. While I am somewhat happy that my 1st trip with my wife alone without the kids starts tues and should be able to enjoy Disney, it is but insignificant and with a heavy heart we will be there at this difficult time.
Yes call center is right in thick of it ! And yes they add manpower, and still, they are working extra hours and answering all the hundreds and hundreds of calls flooding in ! A fabulous team of hard working caring Disney lovers like you.
So thank you to Scott, Caryn, Janice, and Dave… For thinking of all those weary cast members that are going over and above for the needs of the guest, keeping up the Disney image, forgoing their own exhaustion and unimaginable stress, trying to assist all those also worried, anxious callers. Please !! Please, Have a heart and some patience ! Dinner reservations, really ? Their lives, families, communities, friends, belonging s and homes are in jeopardy. ☹️
I think Disney should have let the all their staff in all the parks off. To take care and prepare for this storm . I went through hurricane Katrina on the Mississippi gulf coast lost a house due to Storm surge. it take time ,money to take and leave or shelter n place for storm this is NOT a hour to get every thing together. look Disney how many people working for your company and how long it going to take the parks to prepare. Hey where are the head of this company is he out there putting his life on the line ?? Is his family waiting for him to come home to get them ready to ride out the storm??This goes for all the theme parks n Orlando why wait til Saturday night .???come on people get real!!!!!! It is a powerful hurricane I been through two CAMILlE in 1969 and KATRINE!!!.
Prayers to all of you. Thanks to the staff for working and taking care of your guests. Look after my family.
Thank you to all Disney cast members for their undying loyalty and help during this stressful time. It must be very difficult working during this unprecedented hurricane Irma. You all deserve a raise! Keeping you in my prayers.
Cast members who volunteered (or drafted) to stay and work through the hurricane deserve two extra paid days off in addition to compensation for their hours worked this weekend. I hope Disney respects their cast members enough to provide it.
thank you to all the cast members that are working, that are putting their own lives in peril just to help others keep a somewhat magical vacation. If it were me on vacation this week, I’d be terribly disappointed, but not at the expense of someone else putting their life in danger so they can cancel my dinner reservation. All of that can be worked out later. Please stay safe…. the people are more important than the parks or the things.