ADVISORY: Hurricane Dorian to Affect Orlando's Theme Parks & Attractions

In just a few hours, Hurricane Dorian will make its way to Florida, affecting many areas on the east side of the state. While the center of the hurricane is expected to stay off the coast of Florida, Orlando and neighboring areas will still be affected by the strong winds and rain resulting from this huge storm.

For the safety of Guests and Cast/Team Members, Orlando's theme parks and attractions are expected to cease operation in the coming hours. Here you are the latest news (this post will be updated regularly):

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT:

UPDATE: All locations will reopen on Sept. 4 with the exception of Blizzard Beach Water Park. Click here to learn more >>

Operational hours adjustments for Tuesday, September 3 are as follows:

• Magic Kingdom: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (Extra Magic Hours 7-8 a.m.)
• Epcot: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (Extra Magic Hours 6-9 a.m.)
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (Extra Magic Hours 7-8 a.m.)
• Disney Springs: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• ESPN Wide World of Sports: Closed
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park: Closed
• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Disney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Staggered closing hours allow Disney to help Guests depart in a more organized way that keeps their safety top of mind. It also takes into account the various logistical needs of Guests staying at onsite resorts, including dining, transportation, and more.

Special Event Cancellations

• Disney After Hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been canceled on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019. Guests with pre-purchased event tickets for this date are able to exchange their tickets for one of the following options:
• Tickets to attend another Disney After Hours event in 2019.
• Tickets to a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party event in 2019.
• 1-Day Flexible Date Ticket with Park Hopper Option, which can be used any day prior to December 31, 2020
• Receive a full refund for event tickets.

To redeem these other options, guests can call (407) 939-7818 by Dec. 15 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., or email Ticket.Inquiries@DisneyWorld.com.

Nighttime Entertainment Adjustments

• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park will continue as scheduled Monday, Sept. 2, however, due to high winds, a modified version of Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular show will be presented.
• IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot has been canceled on Monday, Sept. 2.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios will present a modified version of Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular on Monday, Sept. 2.
• The 9:30 p.m. Rivers of Light show has been canceled at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on Monday, Sept. 2.

Resort Hotels

• Disney’s Vero Beach Resort has evacuated Guests.
• Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort has evacuated Guests.
• Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will be closed beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3. This includes all special events and entertainment.
• Spirit of Aloha dinner shows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will be canceled on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
• Boardwalk Promenade entertainment and food and beverage offerings may be limited during the storm.

Food & Beverage

• On Sept. 3, theme park dining reservations will be honored up to one hour prior to closing. Resort dining reservations will be honored until 6 p.m. Effective immediately, Disney will not be enforcing cancellation policies for dining and other experiences, so there’s no need to cancel existing reservations through Tuesday, Sept. 3. Pre-paid dining and other experiences outside of the modified operating hours for Sept. 3 will be automatically canceled and refunded.
• Guests are strongly encouraged to enjoy food and beverage offerings at the parks and Disney Springs before returning to their Resorts.

Transportation

• Ferry Boats will not operate in winds over 20 mph.
• Monorail and buses will not operate in tropical storm force winds, which is over 39 mph.

These transportation systems will stop operating Tuesday night after Disney Springs and the Walt Disney World theme parks close.

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT:

UPDATE: All locations are expected to operate as normal on Sept. 4.

• Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure will close at 6 p.m. on Sept. 3.
• Volcano Bay will be closed all day on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.
• The September 3 Blue Man Group performance has been cancelled.

SEAWORLD PARKS & RESORTS ORLANDO:

UPDATE: SeaWorld and Aquatica will open at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4, while Discovery Cove is expected to open to Guests at 9 a.m.

• SeaWorld Orlando will close at 5:50 p.m. on September 2, 2019. The park will also remain closed all day on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.
• Discovery Cove will be closed all day on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.
• Aquatica Orlando will close at 4:00 p.m. on September 2, 2019. The park will also remain closed all day on Tuesday, September 3, 2019.

LEGOLAND FLORIDA RESORT:

UPDATE: All locations are expected to operate as normal on Sept. 4.

• LEGOLAND Florida and the adjacent water park will be closed on Tuesday, September 3. 

BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY:

• Nothing to report at this time.

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:

UPDATE: The airport plans to reopen at midday (12 p.m.) on Wednesday, September 4, 2019.

• Orlando International Airport (MCO) will cease commercial operations beginning at 2 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019.

PHOTO: © 2019 NBC News/Universal. All Rights Reserved.