Why Disney World, Universal Studios and Other Parks Are Closing This Week
The attractions hope to be back up and running by the weekend.
As Hurricane Ian makes its way across Florida, some of the state's theme parks have announced they will close this week.
So far, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and LEGOLAND Florida Resort have all announced temporary closures.
Walt Disney World said the temporary closure of its attractions would be in place on Wednesday, September 28 and Thursday, September 29. The last time Disney closed its parks for a storm was in 2019 during Hurricane Dorian.
The attractions that will remain closed include:
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
Disney Park guests with partially used multi-day theme park tickets in the validity window impacted by the closure will be automatically extended to allow the use of the remaining unused ticket days through September 30, 2023, as per the park's official statement.
Some Disney Park hotels and campgrounds are reported to be closed even longer–until at least Friday, September 30.
As Disney continues to monitor the storm, it also reminds guests that all re-opening timelines are estimated and subject to change depending on the storm's severity.
Universal Studios also tweeted that its parks would be closed Wednesday and Thursday, with hopes of re-opening on Friday. It also noted that all of its hotels remain fully operational and redirected all questions about trip plans and Halloween nights to its website.
Due to the projected path of Hurricane Ian, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Discovery Cove parks have enacted their "Named Storm Policy" and will be temporarily closed through at least Thursday, according to a press release.
All date-intended tickets for September 27 (at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay), 28, and 29 (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Discovery Cove parks) have been extended through December 31. Annual Pass Members’ guest tickets with an expiration date of September 30 and October 2 were also extended through October 16.
LEGOLAND has also estimated about two days of closure for its parks (which include the theme park, water park and Peppa Pig Park) and extended the validity of tickets dated for September 28 through October 2, until the end of the year, as per the website.
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