Hurricane Milton is heading straight for Central Florida, and it seems like everyone in the area is getting prepped.

We’ve already seen closures announced for the Orlando International Airport, Disney World, Universal Orlando, and more. Local authorities are encouraging residents to gather supplies and remain in safe areas. But what do you need to know to ride out the storm, especially if you’re riding it out in Disney World?

While some parts of Florida are under evacuation notices due to storm surge and flash flooding warnings, those in many middle-of-the-state counties have not been under such warnings. Because of this, many Orlando-area residents and visitors are choosing to shelter in place for the storm.

Among those in Central Florida who are sheltering in place include a number of people on Disney World property. We’ve been stuck in Disney World for a hurricane in the past, and we have several on our team who’ve ridden out hurricanes in the Orlando area before.

Ideally, we recommend avoiding Florida travel at this time, but if you happen to find yourself in Disney World, there are a few steps you can take to stay safe. So from the locals, here are some important tips if you’re hunkering down for Hurricane Milton.

Tips for Riding Out a Hurricane in Disney World

If you’re stuck in Disney World at the moment, and you plan to be there throughout the duration of the storm, you can rest assured that Disney is well prepared for the weather to come. We’ve already seen them “battening down the hatches” in the theme parks and Disney Springs, and the entire resort is constructed with hurricane weather in mind. However, there are a few ways that you can prepare yourself individually.

First, we recommend having water and snacks on hand in your hotel room. You’ll want some non-perishables and items that can fit in tiny resort mini-fridges, and it’ll be a good idea to have options with higher protein like granola bars. Grocery delivery services may be overwhelmed during this time and could cancel your order, so it would likely be helpful to make a trip to the store before the storm hits. If grocery stores are low on stock, try spots like drug stores or gas stations.

Using your coffee maker to heat water can be a lifesaver if you’re trying to eat things like ramen or soup and your room doesn’t have a full kitchen. Disney World Resorts have generators, so losing power during the storm shouldn’t be a long-term issue.

If you’re traveling with kids, it’s a great idea to have entertainment options on hand like board games, puzzles, or coloring books. If you can get there safely, resort lobbies also often offer some form of entertainment during the storm — we’ve seen Disney characters out in the past, as well as the children’s activities teams present with games. As of October 9th, one of our readers shared that Cast Members are hosting trivia in the lobby of the Great Ceremonial House.

Typically, the hotels will offer some type of “hurricane food box” for purchase if you’re not able to get out to a store ahead of time. In fact, we’re already seeing these listed as “meal kits” on select hotel restaurant menus. The resort restaurants MAY also offer discounted prices or varied food selections during the storm — this isn’t guaranteed, but we’ve seen it happen in the past. The same reader above also shared some photos of what the food situation is currently like at Capt. Cook’s at the Polynesian Village Resort as of October 9th.

While the parks and Typhoon Lagoon have closed for the day, our reader also shared that the pools are still open as of right now at the Polynesian Village Resort. This could change as the storm progresses throughout the day.

Guests were still seen enjoying the pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort this afternoon, despite the approach of Hurricane Milton.

Thanks to @fordyta on Instagram for sharing this footage with us! pic.twitter.com/pQyh6pm5pP

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 9, 2024

One of the most important things to keep in mind when staying in Disney World during a storm is that the Cast Members are sacrificing to keep you safe. Make sure to listen to their instructions and be KIND — they’re away from their own families to staff the resorts during the time of a storm, and some of them live in areas that will be more directly hit by the path of the hurricane than Disney World property. Have patience and kindness above all else!

General Tips for Riding Out a Hurricane

If you’re not in Disney World but still in the path of Hurricane Milton, here are some things you need to know. Before the storm arrives, make sure to pre-charge all your devices and any rechargeable power packs that you have. It’s a good idea to be stocked on basic food that could be eaten without a power source, in case of outages.

If you have refillable water bottles at home, you can fill them all now to have extra water on hand, and freezing some water can be useful in case you need ice packs later on. Move any outdoor furniture indoors, and clear your yard area of any possible projectiles.

If you need to do laundry, take a shower, or use any appliances, make sure to do that NOW before the storm comes through. And of course, keep a close eye on the news to follow the path of the storm. Make sure to listen to local officials in case of evacuation or any other danger.

We’ll keep you updated with any other tips and information you need to know before Hurricane Milton arrives. Stay tuned to DFB.

Click Here to Learn More About Hurricane Milton