Hurricanes at Disney World: Navigating the Storm
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Disney World is a magical destination for families. But its location in Central Florida does occasionally put it directly in the path of hurricanes. So what happens when there are hurricanes at Disney World?
This is something I never really thought about until it happened during our Disney vacation. In November 2022, we were at Disney when Hurricane Nicole, thankfully a category 1 storm, directly hit Orlando. I learned a lot leading up to and during the storm about Disney’s safety and preparedness measures for hurricanes.
This is what we learned about hurricanes at Disney World during our experience with Hurricane Nicole on our Disney Vacation.
Understanding Hurricane Season in Central Florida
Central Florida can be affected by the Atlantic hurricane season, which officially spans from June 1st to November 30th. During this period, tropical storms and hurricanes are more likely to form, with the peak of activity occurring between August and October.
We had hoped that November would be safe from hurricanes, but not so much. I will say that we have visited Orland and Florida many times during hurricane season, without an issue or impending storm. Our luck simply ran out on this trip!
Disney World’s Hurricane History
Hurricanes at Disney World do happen, but thankfully it is rare. Rumor has it that Walt Disney intentionally chose Central Florida over the coastal areas due to the increased hurricane risk near the water.
The park has closed less than 10 times in its history at the time of this article, with the most recent being in November 2022, for Hurricane Nicole. Nicole was the hurricane we experienced at Disney World.
Hurricane Irma at Disney World
The longest closure was in 2017, for Hurricane Irma which hit Disney as a Category 2 storm with sustained winds at/above 96mph. Disney World closed early and remained closed for 2 full days as a result of the storm and clean-up efforts. In terms of hurricane damage at Disney World, typically there is minor damage.
Irma has also caused the most damage at Disney. Damage at Disney World from Hurricane Irma including roof and siding damage, some structural damage, downed trees and light poles, flooding, and a transformer explosion.
Disney’s Hurricane Preparedness Measures
So what happens if a hurricane hits Disney World? As you likely know, Disney World takes guest safety seriously. As a result, they have well-established protocols to ensure the well-being of visitors during severe weather events.
The park closely monitors weather conditions and maintains constant communication with local authorities and meteorologists to assess potential threats.
Disney World was built with hurricanes in mind. For example, Cinderella’s Castle is built to withstand winds of at least 90 mph, and Disney World has its own power grid along with quite a few generators.
Disney World is a Storm Ready Commercial Site
Disney World is actually certified by the National Weather Service as a Storm Ready Commercial Site. Per the National Weather Service, Walt Disney World is “better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education, and awareness.”
Disney World Park Operations during a Hurricane
In the event of a hurricane, Disney World tries to carry on normally. But may have to modify its operating hours or, in rare cases, temporarily close to ensure the safety of guests and cast members.
During our trip, Disney World closed early the night the hurricane directly hit Orlando. Additionally, park opening was delayed until 12 pm the next morning. Character meals at the resorts and dining reservations throughout the parks were also canceled.
Disney’s decision is based on the severity of the storm and guidance from local authorities. It is important to stay informed through official Disney channels. These include the Disney website or mobile app.
Please do not repeatedly ask the cast members for information. To avoid rumors and false information, cast members will kindly refer you to the hurricane website.
Safety Tips for Visitors during a Hurricane at Disney World
If you happen to be at Disney World during a hurricane or if a storm is forecasted during your visit, here are some important safety tips to keep in mind:
Stay Informed
Be sure to follow local weather updates, Disney’s official announcements, and heed any evacuation or safety instructions provided.
All hurricane updates are posted on Disney World’s Weather Updates & Information page. The website is posted throughout the parks and resorts on signs with QR codes and on the televisions in Disney World resorts. It is also linked on the My Disney Experience app.
I will note that we did not receive a notification via that app that the parks were closing early. We overheard other guests talking about it, then checked the app, which confirmed the information. Who knows how late we were to that party!
Follow Cast Member Instructions
Disney’s trained cast members will provide guidance during severe weather situations, including hurricanes. Please listen to them, and follow their instructions. Their goal is to keep you and your family safe during a hurricane at Disney World, not ruin your vacation.
Cast members will not share any more information than Disney has officially communicated via their website, so no need to ask them.
Pack Essential Supplies
Carry necessary items such as rain ponchos, umbrellas, and portable chargers for your electronic devices. I will say that in our little category 1 hurricane, umbrellas and ponchos were useless, due to the wind. This included the day before the storm hit Orlando.
Having some non-perishable snacks and water on hand is a good idea. This saves you from having to run out during the storm. I did see other Moms picking up Instacart orders at the front desk and realized we definitely should have done the same.
Seek Shelter if Advised
If instructed or in case of severe weather conditions, seek shelter in designated areas within the park or your resort. Disney does a great job of identifying these areas throughout the parks and resorts. Keep an eye out and know where they are if a hurricane is forecasted. These areas are designed to withstand high winds and provide a safe environment.
Evacuations
We did not have to evacuate at the Polyseian Beach resort for the hurricane, but others did. Guests of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground guests staying in RV & Tent sites and guests of Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort were evacuated and given designated times they had to leave the resort by.
Secure Personal Belongings
Ensure your belongings are protected from water damage by using waterproof bags or keeping them inside sealed containers. This includes your stroller. Be sure to use a stroller rain cover to keep your stroller and kids dry. If you rent from Kingdom Strollers, they include a water cover that I can say from experience is strong enough to keep the kids dry despite high winds.
Flexibility and Rescheduling Options
In the unfortunate event that your visit is significantly impacted by a hurricane, Disney World does try to help its guests. They may offer flexible rescheduling options or refund policies for tickets, accommodations, and dining reservations. Contact Disney’s guest services for assistance and information on the available options.
In our case, the parks closed early the evening that the hurricane was due to hit, staggering closures from 5 pm for Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom and a bit later at 7 pm for Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney Springs. Dining reservations were honored until a specific seating time, with the rest being canceled.
The morning after the hurricane, there was a delayed opening at the parks at 12pm, with transportation starting 30 minutes prior to the delayed park opening. Additionally, character breakfasts at Disney Resort hotels did not include characters to accommodate more resort guests for breakfast.
What Happens When Disney Parks Close Early for a Hurricane?
In our experience, when the parks closed early, there was no assistance or offers for our park tickets to compensate for losing that evening. The parks were all closed by 7 pm, with some closing as early as 5 pm. While this didn’t impact us much with little kids, those who planned to stay at Epcot until close or attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party were certainly impacted. I am not sure how Disney accommodated those who had purchased Christmas Party tickets.
What Happens When Disney Parks Have a Delayed Opening for a Hurricane?
The day the parks opened at noon, Disney World did give guests options. We could use our tickets, as planned, and attend the park we had a reservation for only. If you had a multi-day ticket and chose not to use your park ticket that day, the remaining unused ticket days were automatically extended through September 20, 2023.
Given we had traveled and would not be back in the given time period, we chose to use our park tickets and rope drop at the new, later opening time. I highly recommend this!! Rope dropping at noon works just like rope dropping early in the morning, with the exception of no early entry for resort guests.
We walked into 7 Dwarfs Mine Train, Dumbo (twice), Big Thunder Mountain (twice), and pretty much anything else we wanted to at Magic Kingdom! The park did get busy later in the day as there was a Christmas Party that evening, but we had park hoppers and simply moved to the next not-as-busy-as-normal park!
Entertaining Kids During a Hurricane at Disney World
If you are staying at a Disney World Resort, check out the lobby for activities and maybe even a surprise character or two! Unsure how to entertain the kids during the park closures, we headed to the Polynesian lobby to get breakfast and were pleasantly surprised. There were characters at our resort!
Since the parks and character meals were closed, the characters came to visit. At Polynesian, we saw Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch pass through the lobby. They posed for photos with the kids. Mickey even stuck around for the group games that cast members organized for the kids.
Tips for Character Meals and Hurricanes
If you are at Disney World during a Hurricane, or there is a hurricane expected, keep checking for character dining!
I hadn’t been able to get any character meals at my 60-day reservation window. We were arriving mid-week and those whose vacations started earlier in the week had already taken all of the reservations. As the hurricane, approached, character dining opportunities opened up for the days expected to be affected by the storm.
Non-character meals also became available across the parks and resorts as people canceled. We were still not able to get Space 220 or Story Book Dining with Snow White. But we did snag reservations for Tusker House character dining and could easily have grabbed Cinderella’s Royal Table.
Disney World After a Hurricane
The hurricane has come and gone, the parks are open again, but what is it like at Disney World after a hurricane? Shockingly normal! By the time we were allowed into the parks, any tree debris was cleaned up, characters were back out and about and it was business as usual.
The days leading up to the hurricane had a lot of wind and rain, but after the hurricane, the wealth quickly improved and the sun even peeked out. It was very humid though right after the storm went through.
Hurricanes and Disney World
While hurricanes are a reality that Central Florida occasionally faces, Disney World takes every precaution to ensure the safety and well-being of its guests. By staying informed, following safety instructions, and maintaining a flexible mindset, you can have a memorable experience at Disney World, even in the face of adverse weather conditions.
Remember, the magic of Disney is resilient, and the sunshine will return after the storm. The day, after the hurricane came through, was absolutely gorgeous, sunny, and hot! We almost preferred the cool rainy weather and empty parks from the hurricane!
(Please note: It’s important to check the latest information and official updates from Disney World and local authorities regarding hurricanes and their impact on park operations. This blog post serves as a general guide and is not an updated source of information during a hurricane event.)
