Disney World and other Orlando parks are set to reopen this Friday following a temporary shutdown caused by Hurricane Milton. The Florida theme parks, including popular destinations like Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld, made the decision to close as Hurricane Milton approached the area.
After assessing the impact of the storm, Disney World announced that its theme parks, Disney Springs, and potentially other areas will welcome visitors once again. While some Halloween special events may not be available and operations may not be at full capacity on Friday, the parks are ready to welcome the public back.
The closure of these iconic parks disrupted the plans of thousands of tourists, many of whom were forced to stay put in their accommodations as the storm passed through. Orlando International Airport also ceased commercial operations during the storm and was evaluating when to resume flights as of Thursday.
During the closure, tourists sought alternative activities, such as visiting miniature golf courses like Congo River Golf. One visitor from Glasgow, Scotland, shared that he and his family were looking for a way to stretch their legs and found themselves putting golf balls over a lagoon filled with baby alligators. Despite being his first encounter with a hurricane, he remained calm and managed to sleep through the storm.
Orlando, with its array of attractions including Disney World and Universal Studios, is the top tourist destination in the United States, welcoming millions of visitors each year. The Halloween season is particularly busy and profitable for the parks, making the closure due to Hurricane Milton a significant disruption.
While hurricanes are not common in the Orlando area, they are not unheard of. Previous storms like Charley, Frances, Jeanne in 2004, Hurricane Irma in 2017, and Hurricane Ian in 2022 have impacted the region in the past. The reopening of Disney World and other parks signifies a return to normalcy and a resumption of the vibrant tourism industry in Orlando.