Walt Disney World in Florida remained open to the public since Monday, leading some online to criticize the theme park giant as Hurricane Milton is on a collision course with Orlando.
However, Disney World has taken some steps to prepare for the hurricane, including prohibiting people from making park reservations for Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
Milton strengthened into a Category 4 storm Monday morning and is expected to hit Florida’s west coast Wednesday morning, impacting many of the same communities that were devastated by Hurricane Helene just two weeks ago. .
Governor Ron DeSantis has already declared a state of emergency in dozens of Florida counties, including Orange and Osceola counties, where Disney World is located.
Disney World has a history of rarely closing, and so far, the company has not indicated that the Magic Kingdom gates will close for Milton’s arrival.
‘Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating under normal conditions. “We are closely monitoring the projected storm track as we continue to prioritize the safety of our Guests and Cast Members,” according to a Sunday statement from Disney World.
Magic Kingdom guests break out ponchos at Cinderella Castle as Hurricane Helene’s weather stripes move through Walt Disney World on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
Pictured: The track of Hurricane Milton on Monday morning, showing an impact on Florida’s west coast sometime on Wednesday.
The fact that Disney World is not closed yet upsets some on social media, one of whom accused Disney of prioritizing profits over people.
‘Will the Disney corporation choose “magic” over the margins of Hurricane Milton?’ wrote one person on X. ‘Will the most “magical” place on earth bow to the fury of nature?’
Another wrote: ‘Cat 3 when it arrives in Tampa and they are still talking about opening. Smh…Disney doesn’t give a damn.
The park is expected to be affected by Milton’s worst weather from Wednesday night into Thursday. Winds could reach up to 65 miles per hour and 5 to 8 inches of rain are expected, according to a WESH 2 forecast.
Guests already at the sprawling resort have been warned that severe weather could cause certain experiences to be delayed, rescheduled or cancelled.
Mickey’s not-so-scary Halloween party was canceled during Hurricane Helene, for example.
Pictured: NOAA satellite image of Hurricane Milton as it gains strength in the Gulf of Mexico.
Tampa and Orlando are in ‘hurricane watch’ zone
People who have reservations to go to Disney World this week and want to avoid high winds and possible travel delays have the opportunity to cancel or reschedule their trip.
‘If the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for the Orlando area, or for your place of residence, within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company hotel packages Disney Resort and most rooms. reservations only (booked directly with Disney) with no cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney,” according to an FAQ on Disney’s website.
Disney World has closed fewer than a dozen times due to hurricanes and national emergencies since it opened in 1971. Florida today reported.
It last closed in September 2022 due to Hurricane Ian, which crossed the northern tip of Cuba and then hit Tampa and Orlando before stopping in North Carolina.
Disney World also closed during the Covid-19 pandemic from May 15, 2020 to July 11, 2020.