Hurricane Irma Disney World Closures & Cancellations
Hurricane Irma has caused a number of cancellations already at Walt Disney World, and park closures over the weekend are likely. In this post, we’ll keep you posted with real-time updates on Hurricane Irma’s impact at Walt Disney World, as well as what you can do if you’re already at WDW or are scheduled to travel to Florida in the near future.
For starters, if you have a flight arriving into Orlando Friday or Saturday, reschedule. Of paramount concern is safety, and it’s simply not worth the risk. Beyond that, you will be out several days of your vacation, as the parks will undoubtedly close–probably early on Saturday, completely on Sunday, and to some degree on Monday. It will not be a “vacation,” in any sense of the word. Walt Disney World is normally great at maintaining the illusion of the ‘bubble’, but this is absolutely real life.
We arrived at Walt Disney World early this week and were scheduled to be here until next Monday, but have cut short our trip to get out ahead of the storm are stuck here through the storm as our earlier, rescheduled flight is probably going to be canceled and there are no alternatives. Regardless of Hurricane Irma’s intensity when it reaches Central Florida, the approaching storm is terrifying to us. We’d rather play it safe, especially after seeing the devastation this hurricane caused in Barbuda and St. Martin. (We would have left even earlier, but the availability of outbound flights out of Orlando has been next to nothing for the last several days; if you’re here and haven’t already booked, it’s too late.)
While we have been keeping track of Hurricane Irma with updates in our Tips for Storm Season at Walt Disney World post, which is better aimed at making the most of your vacation time on normal rainy days during this time of year…this is anything but a normal storm. We wanted to post some additional info and warnings here out of an abundance of caution, particularly for those of you tourists (like us) who have no firsthand experience with hurricanes.
Currently, the eye of Hurricane Irma forecast to reach Southern Florida by Sunday, September 10, 2017 as a Category 4 storm. Central Florida is expected to begin feeling tropical storm force winds Saturday night, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm will continue moving north towards Orlando early Sunday and into Monday, with models differing as to the extent it will impact the middle of the state.
Much of Florida is in the cone of uncertainty, with the eye of the storm hugging the east coast as it heads north. Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency early in the week for every county in the state in anticipation of Hurricane Irma possibly making landfall, which was upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane before its approach to Florida with sustained winds over 175 mph.
As Governor Scott indicated, this storm is wider than the state of Florida, and every area of the state will experience extreme weather, no matter how far from the eye of the storm. The storm also likely will impact Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.
You can find the latest updates on Hurricane Irma on the National Hurricane Center’s website or on your weather station/website of choice. While computer models are differing slightly on the details, the prevailing theme among forecasts is that this will be the worst storm to hit Florida in decades. We don’t purport to be meteorologists, but all you have to do is turn on the television to understand just how serious this is.
Hurricane Irma could end up drifting east from the coast, but Florida is certain to be in its cone, regardless of last-minute shifts. Not treating this as a serious threat would be foolish.
Updates (September 11, 2017)
September 12, 2017 – 9 am UPDATE: All four Walt Disney World theme parks have reopened, with normal operating hours. A few attractions remain closed due to storm damage clean-up: the Walt Disney World Railroad, Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Tom Sawyer Island, and Kali River Rapids. Exact reopening times/dates for those are unknown. The water parks will reopen later this week.
Hope everyone was safe during the storm, and those affected Floridians are starting to recover!
September 11, 2017 – 12 pm UPDATE: After an eventful and loud night, Hurricane Irma has passed Orlando. The curfew is still in effect until this evening, but Walt Disney World is allowing people to go out and about within their resorts. In surveying the area around Crescent Lake, it appears there’s minimal damage. There are a lot of branches and leaves on the ground, and a couple of trees have blown over, but nothing major. All things that can be cleaned up or repaired within a few days.
In-room televisions still indicate the parks and Disney Springs will be closed tonight. We anticipate everything will reopen according to normal operating conditions tomorrow. If you have a trip booked for later this week or next, you have nothing to worry about–it’ll be business as usual.
September 10, 2017 – 11 am UPDATE: Hotels have buffets, boxed lunches, and select resorts also have in-room dining available. You can also find daily entertainment schedules for each of the resorts in their lobbies. As long as there is no county-imposed curfew, hotel entertainment will continue per these schedules. (Unscheduled character meet & greets are also occurring.)
Orange County, Florida has a local curfew beginning at 7 p.m. tonight, meaning guests at hotels lacking internal hallways will be confined to their rooms beginning at that time. If you’re at one of these hotels, plan accordingly and grab food before then!
September 9, 2017 – 10 am UPDATE: Walt Disney World transportation will end at 8 pm today for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, and 10 pm for Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney Springs.
Beyond this and the other announced closures, Walt Disney World will effectively enter its hurricane mode, with only a skeleton ‘ride it out’ crew of Cast Members around the resorts. Last year, long lines were reported for boxed lunches at many resorts. We don’t know if that will be the case this year, but we would highly recommend anyone at Walt Disney World now stock up on various supplies (cereal, microwavables, etc.) from the general stores at their resorts, or from the Speedway in the Crescent Lake area (they still have good options and reasonable prices).
In addition to providing necessary guest services, entertainment will be offered at certain resorts on Sunday and Monday, including character meet & greets, among other things. This will primarily be offered at resorts with interior hallways, as those in other resorts may not be able to leave their rooms during the storm.
September 8, 2017 – 3 pm UPDATE: Walt Disney World just announced that it would be closing its parks early tomorrow, and would remain closed through Monday, September 11, 2017.
Walt Disney World has also revised its closing times for Saturday, September 9: Magic Kingdom and Epcot close at 9 pm; Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom at 7 pm; Disney Springs closes at 9 pm, as well.
September 8, 2017 – 9 am UPDATE: Fort Wilderness will be relocating guests, with those staying at the resort needing to leave the resort by 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 9, 2017. Following that, Fort Wilderness will remain closed through at least Sunday (more likely Monday). This includes all restaurants and entertainment at the campground, including Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ, which have all showings canceled through Monday.
The Spirit of Aloha dinner show at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been cancelled for Saturday, and likely will be canceled for Sunday in the very near future. We have not yet heard about the Poly Bungalows, but normally, those guests are encouraged to move to accommodations at other resorts.
Walt Disney World has canceled Night of Joy for September 9, 2017 and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party for September 10, 2017 at Magic Kingdom. Additionally, the Aerophile balloon at Disney Springs is now closed in preparation for Hurricane Irma, and Blizzard Beach will be closed beginning September 8, 2017.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party guests are being given the option to switch to an alternate Halloween Party date, switch to a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party date, receive a 1-day Park Hopper ticket, or receive a full refund.
Walt Disney World has issued a notice on the main page of its website, which provides info on the current status of Hurricane Irma closures and advises guests to monitor news outlets for the latest weather information.
Although it is not explicitly mentioned on that page, Walt Disney World is waiving cancellation fees for guests with travel dates that include the next week. (Some pre-paid experiences—like Cinderella’s Royal Table—are not officially included in this cancellation fee waiver policy, but Disney will issue refunds there, as well.) Unofficially, they are going beyond Walt Disney World’s hurricane cancellation policy. This likely has not been officially announced because wait times on the phone for Guest Services have already been into the hours.
It’s a bit concerning that so much is ‘business as usual’ at Walt Disney World. It has been a bit surreal to walk around Walt Disney World where everything feels just like it normally would–happy go lucky and carefree–and then come back and turn on the news in our room and hear about the potentially catastrophic hurricane approaching.
As the majority of guests are from out-of-state, likely inexperienced with hurricanes, and may not be actively monitoring the news during their visit. Providing guests with flyers in-room, messages on their phones, or pop-ups based on location in My Disney Experience seem appropriate. They don’t need to induce pandemonium, but encouraging adequate preparation seems like a smart move.
On the one hand, it’s not Disney’s responsibility to keep guests apprised of the news and ensure that people make the appropriate plans to be safe. On the other hand, Disney has built its reputation on being a brand that families can trust, and people do that to extremes. With park operations being total normal and no active information sent to hotel guests, they are lulling people into a false sense of security.
If Hurricane Matthew last year was any indication, lines will be long at the resort food courts to purchase boxed lunches and other food starting on Saturday afternoon. If you’re at Walt Disney World now and are unable to leave Florida before the storm, you should try to stock up on food now to avoid the crowds later–and have better options.
Moreover, please be incredibly courteous to front-of-line Cast Members. Walt Disney World will be operating on a skeleton ‘ride it out’ crew over the weekend–and for good reason. These people have families and are concerned about their safey. At this point, having a ‘magical vacation’ is understandably no one’s top priority.
Again, if you are scheduled to visit Walt Disney World in the next several days, we’d strongly encourage you to rethink those plans. We hear a lot of talk about the hurricane safety, and how Walt Disney World hotels are rated to withstand high-intensity winds and storms. That very well might be true, but you’re still undoubtedly safer in Chicagoland or New York (or wherever) during Hurricane Irma than in Central Florida. During a hurricane, anywhere without hurricane force winds is safer during a hurricane than buildings rated to withstand hurricane force winds. Why risk it?
Beyond that, with Orlando International Airport already announcing it will cease operations on 5 p.m. Saturday, and that many flights will be cancelled and delayed, you may have a difficult time getting to Florida in the first place. In short, if you have the ability to reschedule, that is unquestionably the best option.
We hope Walt Disney World errs on the side of caution. I know it stinks for those in the midst of their annual or even once in a lifetime trips to Walt Disney World, but guest and Cast Member safety are priority #1. Being proactive and keeping guests apprised of the weather situation is the best course of action. I know it’s not the best marketing, but guests occasionally need a reminder that Walt Disney World also exists in a place called “Realityland.”
We will continue to monitor Hurricane Irma’s progress and update this post as more information becomes available. If you’re currently at Walt Disney World and receive and updates directly, please share in the comments.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts…
Are you currently at Walt Disney World or Central Florida? Have you visited during past hurricanes? Any additional info, thoughts, or first-hand experiences to share regarding Hurricane Irma? Any questions? Post any of your thoughts, questions, or anecdotes in the comments.
Stay safe Tom and Sarah,
We left disney on 9/1 in a lightning storm and i thought that was bad. Can’t imagine what it will be like in a few days.
Anyone in the middle of this please stay safe. I am just about a hundred miles east of y’all and finally thinking I might go through my first true hurricane. God bless
Please stay safe! I’m not yet cancelling our trip with a 9/16 arrival date in the hope that things will be ok by then. I know Disney puts safety first and will do a thorough job of clean up and assessment before re-opening the parks.
We have the same arrival date and I haven’t cancelled either, I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
Gonna ride this out at Kidani! Stay safe y’all!
Praying you guys stay safe. We were on the fence but cancelled on Wednesday night (were supposed to fly in on Thursday AM) after reading your blog post that day. We were bummed until quickly realizing that a rescheduled trip is nothing compared to how people in actual danger / at risk of losing their homes are feeling. Stay safe!
Disney website now showing parks closing early on Saturday, closed on Sunday & Monday.
Tom, thank you for your comments and updates from the Disney area.
I wish all those who are at Disney (staff & guests) all the best during this very difficult/ scary time. Hoping That the direction of the hurricane changes and that the strength diminishes.
I was in the planning stage for my next trip to Disney World- love â¤ï¸ Disney but will wait to see the outcome of this horrific storm.
Be safe Tom & Sarah!
Tom and Sarah, I’m a longtime reader and big fan of your writing and perspective on Disney parks, travel, and more, but have never posted or commented before. I’m a born and raised South Floridian who has ridden through many, many hurricanes (thankfully I am not personally in the path of Irma as I no longer live in the area, but do have immediate family sheltering in Southeast Florida along the Atlantic coast) and wanted to chime in with some tips for any travelers in Irma’s path.
When riding out the storm in a hotel (or otherwise) stay away from exterior doors or un-shuttered windows (especially if you’re not sure if the room has impact windows); an interior room (like a bathroom) is best. Make sure you have food, water, batteries, and charged electronics. If you take any medication, make sure that you have that (and extra, if possible) with you at all times. If you have any electronics or valuables with you, keep them away from doors/windows. I don’t know whether WDW has generators for their hotels, but if you are able to purchase a few battery-operated flashlights (so you don’t waste cell phone battery) and procure books, a deck of cards, and other activities that don’t require electricity (especially if you’ll have little ones), I’d recommend it. There’s a chance you’ll be spending a few hours in a dark hotel room.
Many hurricane-related injuries and fatalities happen *after* the storm itself. Follow any and all instructions given by Disney staff, first responders, or emergency management officials. Stay in your hotel room/resort (unless doing so puts you in imminent danger) until given the all-clear. You don’t know what kinds of hazards or obstacles are out there. Stay away from any standing water. You don’t know how deep it is, what’s in it, or if there’s a live electric current running through it. Don’t go driving around to take a looksee. After the storm, resources are going to be stretched thin and roads may be blocked; emergency management officials need the roadways clear to ensure safety and reopen supply lines. If someone gets into an accident while out rubbernecking, that diverts resources away from the recovery — and there’s a chance that responders are delayed or can’t get to the scene.
Honestly, if I was at WDW during a storm, I’d feel safe — even at a Value or Moderate with exterior hallways/doors. There’s something reassuring about the stodgy, cinderblock construction of Pop/the All Stars. My strategy would be to pull all of my belongings as far into the room and away from doors/windows (i.e. sink area), keep electronics charging as long as possible, and be ready to move into the bathroom (toilet/tub/shower room and close the door) if the wind intensifies and large items start flying. Not to downplay the danger of Irma (even a diminished hurricane is still incredibly dangerous), but sometimes sitting through one of these can be, well, a bit tedious. Having a good book to read or cards to play to pass the time and take your mind off what’s happening outside is really helpful.
Again, these are just my experiences from growing up in Florida and living through a few hurricanes, and does not supplant the advice from experts. For everyone in the path of the storm, please take care and be safe!
one tip on water, fill your tub. Worst case scenario if the location you are at loses water for one reason or an other you’ll have that for cleaning (self and cooking items) and you can use it to flush your toilet.
hi Tom, I really appreciated your honest post with the dose of reality. We had a trip scheduled for today through Tuesday and were able to reschedule, but it was very difficult to find any realistic advice from Disney as to the concern of traveling there at this time. Thank you and stay safe.
I was work as cast member at Universal, during hurricane Jeanne, as cast member at Disney during hurricane Ernesto, as crew member at Disney Dream during hurricane Sunday and Isaac, (lucky me), and I can say Disney is really concern about safety and crowd control, they will do all they can to keep the bubble.
Today as guest, go my cruise cancelled because for hurricane, but so far I’m keeping my reservation for the 9/15 at POP, it’s a waiting time to see the damage and the reconstruction.
Wish that Irma pass by fast and cause no harm, to Tom and Sara, as everybody else on site, be safe, get your food soon and be kind to cast members they are there to help and garante your safety.
We rode out Hurricane Matthew last year. We were staying in the cabins at Fort Wilderness originally, and got moved to Caribbean Beach on Wednesday night, ahead of the storm. It was a surreal experience, knowing the hurricane was coming and still playing at the parks. On Thursday, we headed to Hollywood Studios and everything was already being closed down in advance is the storms. No Fast pass Kiosks, no shows on the stage etc. we were told to eat at the park and grab food to take back to our rooms. They closed the park early at 5 and then we went into our room until we were told it was safe to venture out. They also arranged to let us stay longer in our same room since we couldn’t get a flight out at the Florida resident rate.
Thinking about this still gives me a small amount of panic but truly, Disney took great care of us and went to great lengths to make sure our kids felt safe. When we were allowed to leave our rooms, they had characters at the food courts, the arcade was free and everyone was doing their best to keep it fun for the kids. I was so very impressed with the staff at Disney! When grabbing dinner at the food court (three choices only, but very organized) my 6 year old was begging for a Mickey straw at the checkout. The girl at the checkout leaned over and gave him one and one for his brother without a second thought. “It’s the little things”, she said.
The clean up was quick and amazing. We spent the next at at the pool and doing laundry and you would have had no idea the storm had come through. Disney is amazing for many reasons, but their calmness and preparedness in the face of the storm was impressive.
I cannot agree more with the the notion of being patient and polite with cast members during all of this. We missed an October vacation last year due to Mathew, and while it did take several hours to get through to someone via phone, they were more then accommodating. Those operators are dealing with thousands of families who just had vacation canceled, they’re going to get some angry people. Try not to be one of them.
Sincere thanks for keeping us so well informed. Like you, I hope Disney errs on the side of reality and safety. Our thoughts are with you and all in the path of this storm…
Two of my kids are Disney (and Universal) cast members, one at Epcot, one at Studios. Both are scheduled to work this weekend, and are waiting word from Disney regarding closures as the storm progresses. Since last year’s Hurricane Matthew kind of fizzled by the time it hit Orlando, there is a wait & see attitude toward this, even though it’s much larger.
They’ve done their prep in their apartments and have evac bags packed in the event they are told to bug out. And they have a place to go (Atlanta) and gas in the car. As they told me, “Mommmm, it’s not our first hurricane.”
It’s a good idea for guests to also have a quick exit bag (backpack) as well as some water bottles and nonperishable food (jars of peanut butter & jelly, some crackers or bread will keep people fed). They most likely won’t be able to drag all their luggage in an evacuation situation.
Being kind to the cast members is IMPERATIVE. They are all trained in the Disney way, but some of them will be stranded at the resorts with you when the storm hits, some won’t be able to get to work at all, so the stranded will have to take up the slack and will be working extra long hours.
Stay safe & follow instructions, and hopefully everyone will look back on this as another Disney adventure.
Hello Everyone,
Based on Tom’s article above, I just wanted to let everyone know about my family’s experience last year with Hurricane Matthew. We were staying at Coronado Springs and as Tom indicated, the communication was light (we learned most information through social media and friends). I think Disney actually does this on purpose. 1) They don’t want to create a panic. 2) They are masters at crowd control. (more on this in a minute)
First, the parks didn’t close until about 4:00pm the day before the hurricane, and there were no announcements by Disney until 4:00pm in the parks. Second, the lines were ridiculously long for food that evening at the resorts, but they were running on skeleton staff and they had kicked everyone out of the parks, so I agree that you should try to get stuff early if you’re there.
Third, and most importantly, Disney will tell you things well after they are valid in order to keep crowds to a minimum. Coronado Springs had opened all the convention center halls and brought in characters and movie screens shortly after the hurricane had passed, but they didn’t tell anybody to keep people in their rooms. Our kids were just cooped up too long and we saw that the storm had mostly passed on the news. Therefore, we ventured out and found all kinds of things to do.
Lastly, the clean-up time is impressive by Disney. There were lots of tree branches and leaves down from the storm, and by one day later it was almost all gone, so if you are coming in after the storm by more than a day or two, I think it will seem like nothing happened (at Disney World, not elsewhere).
Stay Safe Everyone!
My son’s roommate was on clean up crew at Disney Springs last year. They were the FIRST cast members on site at all the parks. My son went over later and said it was incredibly impressive what all they had accomplished in the way of clean up in such a short time.
WE are scheduled to arrive on the 15th and stay at Pop Century. These last few comments are a relief to hear. I’ve been worried we may have to cancel, but I will wait until Tuesday to see. Stay safe down there!
Stay safe!
Hi Tom,
Best of luck to you guys! You’ll be in my thoughts along with my other Central Florida blogger friends. Great content on this post, very through.
I’m scheduled to arrive Thursday the 14th. I’ll be watching this post to see how things are going in the aftermath. I’ll be making my decision to continue or delay (it’s a long trip) Monday or Tuesday.
Take care!
We are scheduled to arrive in Orlando on the 13th. Not sure what to do. We are staying off site and ubering it back and forth to Disney. Wondering if there where be gas, and what the traffic will be like on I4. But, most important, we wish Floridians well and that they are safe! Fingers crossed Irma takes a big shift.
Take care. Diane
Just curious, what places are considered safest to ride out the storm? Are certain resorts better than others? Stay safe and let us know how you’re doing, as you are able!
I think all resorts are built equally safe, though of course, nothing is a guarantee, with the exception of the campgrounds for obvious reasons, but those get evacuated prior to a major storm. In terms of “best” or “better”, I would say with a storm like Irma (or Matthew last October), guests will likely be told to stay indoors during the peak of the storm. Now, if you’re in a resort with enclosed/indoor hallways (many of the Deluxe resorts with the exception of some rooms/categories), there may be activities in the lobby/main area that you can go to. If you’re at a resort with outside hallways or in outer buildings, you will not be able to leave your room (for your own safety). That’s how it worked last year during Matthew, and if I had to guess, that’s what will happen this weekend as well. Personally if I had a choice, I’d rather be at a hotel with inside hallways because that affords at least a few more options of “where to go” other than your hotel room bed, table, or bathroom, even if there are no lobby activities!
Hi Tom,
I have a quick trip planned for my birthday the weekend of Sep. 23rd. It was a sort of last minute decision, but now I’m wondering if everything will be back to normal by then, or if I should just cancel. Living on the east coast, I know hurricanes are pretty unpredictable, but what are your thoughts?
yes we have a vacation 9/23-9/29 and i am stressed to the MAX!!! Your thoughts would be great!!!
YOU’RE stressed?!
I worked for WDW for 4 years, and, though I never experienced a hurricane of this magnitude while I lived there, I can attest that Safety for Guests, Cast, and the Parks themselves are the TOP priority for Disney. Honestly, Disney resorts are probably the safest place in the entire state to ride out the storms. As such, I ALWAYS signed up for the “Ride Out Crew” when I was there, as Disney hosts these cast members in the resorts. The Brickers are in great hands for the next couple of nasty days! (In fact, my grandparents live in Orlando and I originally tried to book a resort room because it’s safer than their townhome!)
As for a vacation in the next couple of weeks, please do not be concerned. Everything will definitely be back to normal by then. Honestly, it will probably be back to 90% normal by Tuesday, with a few lower priority cleanups/maintenance happening, most likely at pools, water parks, and Ft. Wilderness.
We rode out Hurricane Jeanne at the Pop Century in 2004. We never felt unsafe during this storm. Disney shut everything down on Saturday night and Sunday. Monday morning, everything was open and there was no sign of anything bad happening the day before…..not even a rogue leave on the ground. It was amazing how fast everything was put back into shape.
Thank you for the reassurance. It brings a little bit of comfort 🙂 however, i PRAY everyone in this path is SAFE and gets through this nasty storm. Here I am worried about my vacation and these people are worried about their homes and lives. May god be with everyone in this storms path!!
I’m heading to Orlando later next week, and your comment at the end is very reassuring 🙂 I’ve just been planning to wait and see what happens, since no one knows for sure, but i’ve been concerned. thanks!