Amusement Parks Disney World and Universal to Shut Down in Advance of Hurricane Milton's Approach
Rewritten Article:
Florida, synonymous with sunshine, beaches, alligators, and a catchy tune by Taylor Swift for many, is iconically linked with two major forces – Disney and hurricanes. The latter, Hurricane Milton, is set to pay a terrifying visit, and both theme park giants, Disney and Universal Studios, have made preparations accordingly.
Both Disney and Universal have implemented staggered closures, with specifics varying based on location, tickets, and other factors. However, let's delve into the key points of their respective announcements.
At Walt Disney World, the parks will stay open today, October 8, and will resume normal operations tomorrow, October 9. However, on October 9, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom will shut down at 1 p.m., while Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs will close at 2 p.m. It's likely that all parks will remain closed on Thursday, October 10. The Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, an extra ticketed event scheduled for the evening of October 10, will be refunded. Find detailed information here.
Universal Studios is equally proactive, especially since it's hosting the highly popular Halloween Horror Nights events this week. Similar to Disney, the parks will remain open today, October 8, and open as planned tomorrow, October 9. However, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, as well as the adjoining Universal CityWalk, will all close at 2 p.m. on October 9 and remain shut on October 10. The Halloween Horror Nights, initially scheduled for both nights, has been canceled, and refunds will be issued. Check out these details.
Universal's website offers a glimmer of optimism absent from Disney's announcements: "We anticipate a full reopening of our destination, including Halloween Horror Nights, on Friday, Oct. 11 at our normal operating hours, pending the storm's impact." The storm is set to leave a significant mark, with all indications pointing towards it being one of the most powerful and destructive hurricanes in recent memory. The brunt of it, however, will be felt further west in the state. This is the reason behind the parks' decision to open at all.
Weather remains, as always, impossible to predict with precision, so anyone currently at the parks or planning to visit should keep a close eye on official channels for updates. Let's hope everyone – not just in Orlando but across the affected region – stays safe.
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- Despite the approaching Hurricane Milton, Universal Studios anticipates a full reopening of their destination, including the Halloween Horror Nights, on Friday, Oct. 11, assuming no significant impact from the storm.
- In contrast to Universal, Disney has not expressed similar optimism with their plans, with all parks likely to remain closed on Thursday, October 10.
- The Tech-savvy website io9 often provides highlights about the future developments in the cinematic universes of Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor Who, as well as updates on DC's upcoming projects.
- Just as the weather cannot be predicted with certainty, the technology now exists to monitor weather patterns closely, ensuring individuals can be informed of any potential dangers due to hurricanes like Milton.
