For the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, both Universal Studios Florida and Walt Disney World will be closing its theme parks to guests for at least two days due to Hurricane Ian’s projected arrival.
Both Universal and Disney announced Tuesday that they will be closing their Orlando-based theme parks on both Wednesday Sept. 28 and Thursday Sept. 29.
Disney World took to its social media to announce the closure of it’s following attractions in the following statement:
- Magic Kingdom Park
- EPCOT
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park (Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park is currently closed for the season.)
- Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
- Fantasia Gardens
- Fairways Miniature Golf
Partially used multi-day theme park tickets with a validity window impacted by closure due to Hurricane Ian will be automatically extended to allow use of the remaining unused ticket days through September 30, 2023. In order to enter a park, both a park reservation and valid ticket for the same park on the same date is required.
Additionally Disney Springs will be closed both Wednesday through Thursday and Disney’s seasonal Halloween event, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party for Thursday Sept. 29 has been canceled.
Universal Orlando Resort made a similar statement on its social media stating that Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, CityWalk will be closed with Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights for Wednesday Sept. 28 and Thursday Sept. 29 being cancelled.
Universal Orlando made the following statement on its website Tuesday afternoon:
Universal Orlando Resort has made the following operational decisions due to Hurricane Ian:
- Our destination, including CityWalk, will close on Wednesday, Sept. 28. We will remain closed Thursday and anticipate reopening on Friday, Sept. 30 as conditions permit.
- Our hotels are currently at full capacity and will remain operational as they focus on taking care of our guests.
- Our Halloween Horror Nights event at Universal Studios Florida will be canceled Wednesday, Sept. 28 and Thursday, Sept. 29. We anticipate reopening the event on Friday, Sept. 30 conditions permitting.
Both Universal and Disney plan on reopening on Friday Sept. 30 given the conditions from Hurricane Ian’s impact.
