Theme Park Braces For Hurricane Ian With Some Closures

Disney World (DIS) is bracing for the impact of Hurricane Ian and has announced a number of closures to the theme park and resort due to the storm.

The entertainment company’s website said on Tuesday that it was closing accommodations at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and The Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

The accommodations will be closed Wednesday through Friday, during which time Ian is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Disney said it was contacting guests who had reservations during this time period.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will also cancel the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. Attendees with tickets to the show will have them refunded and canceled automatically.

Disney theme parks will continue to operate under normal conditions at this time. But the park is closing Typhoon Lagoon, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf on Wednesday and Thursday.

Disney also said on its website that it was not enforcing its cancellation policies until further notice, effective immediately. This would include resort dining and experiences in the park, such as Savi’s Workshop and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

Disney Springs is still open and operating under normal conditions, as well as Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot.

On its website, Disney said about the impending weather situation, “We continue to put the safety of our Cast Members and Guests first and will share updates with you as we monitor Hurricane Ian.”

Hurricane warnings have been issued for the western coast of Florida, including the Tampa Bay area. Due to the strength of the storm, evacuation orders have been issued for several Tampa Bay area counties.

Ian is expected to gain in intensity over the course of the next two days and is currently a Category 3 hurricane as it made its landfall in Cuba early Tuesday morning.