National Guard Bureau Chief of Operations Maj. Gen. Joseph Jarrard says Guardsmen are ready for search and rescue and supply operations as Hurricane Ian moves through Florida.
Hurricane Ian continues to wreak havoc on Walt Disney World as the massive Category 4 storm begins to move ashore in Florida.
Walt Disney World, located near Orlando, closed its theme and water parks for Wednesday and Thursday in response to the hurricane. Partially used multi-day tickets affected by the closures will “automatically be extended to allow use of the remaining unused entry days through September 30, 2023,” the company said on its website.
Closed parks 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)
- Summerland winter mini golf
- Fantasy Gardens
- Fairways Miniature Golf
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The company has also altered its Walt Disney World Resort Hotels operations for Ian.
Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is seen with the crest to celebrate the theme park’s 50th anniversary on Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File/AP Newsroom)
Resorts require all guests to check-in by 3:00 PM on Wednesday, and do not accept Thursday check-ins. The company said they will be exempt from normal cancellation fees.
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The resorts have asked all guests to shelter in place “during the storm.”
Dining options at resorts may be limited, Walt Disney World warned on its website. Open restaurants do not require reservations, only walk-ins are accepted. On both Wednesday and Thursday, there will be no characters at character dining locations.
According to Walt Disney World, several resorts have been temporarily closed Wednesday through Friday, including:
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Space
- Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
An entrance to Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on August 19, 2015. (iStock / iStock)
Other events, including Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, have also been affected by Hurricane Ian. The Halloween party has been canceled for Thursday, while the music event remains closed until Friday.
“Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” rides departing Tuesday and Thursday have been canceled, according to the company’s website.
The company closed its ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex until Friday. Disney World said it “expects Disney Springs to be closed Thursday as well” after already deciding to close for Wednesday.
The Monorail at Walt Disney World (iStock)
Walt Disney World transportation has been temporarily halted until the hurricane passes. There will be limited taxi service for resort guests who already have breakfast reservations, according to the company’s website.
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Walt Disney World is not the only attraction in Florida that has seen its operations affected by Hurricane Ian.
SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Orlando Resort are closed Wednesday and Thursday. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay was closed Tuesday and will remain closed until Thursday.
Pilar Arias contributed to this report.