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    • Disney World, Universal Orlando and Legoland reopened after Hurricane Milton
    Update Information

    Disney World, Universal Orlando and Legoland reopened after Hurricane Milton

    Kathleen William Posted on

    Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key on Florida's Gulf Coast on October 9, 2024, as a Category 3 hurricane. The storm caused all amusement parks in Florida to close.

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    • The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort celebrated its 53rd anniversary on October 1, 2024. A little over a week later, the theme park was closed due to Hurricane Milton.
    • Florida has several theme parks throughout the state that celebrate Disney, Marvel, alligators, killer whales, space and Lego.

    It's been a week since Floridians across the state prepared and braced for Hurricane Milton.

    On Wednesday, October 9, at 8:30 p.m., Hurricane Milton made landfall in Sarasota County near Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 storm. The storm caused severe flooding, widespread power outages and destroyed buildings from the West Coast to the East Coast, from Sarasota to Fort Pierce.

    As much of the state continues recovery efforts, some may still be wondering how Disney World, Universal Orlando or Busch Gardens fared during Hurricane Milton. Here's a look at when they reopened and how those who had tickets for dates canceled due to weather can get a refund.

    Did Hurricane Milton damage one of Florida's theme parks?

    After Hurricane Milton left Cape Canaveral, Florida on Thursday, October 10, many were looking for information about how theme parks fared during the storm's fury.

    As of Wednesday, October 16, none of the major theme parks have reported serious damage to their properties. Social media footage shows debris from nearby foliage and some fallen signs at most theme parks, such as Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort.

    And no, Cinderella's Castle not Flood. AI-generated photos showing the Magic Kingdom's Main Street completely flooded were shared across the internet, misleading those seeking information about the parks.

    Have all Florida theme parks reopened after Hurricane Milton? See when they came back

    ▶ Disney world: The theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs reopened with scheduled hours on Friday, October 11th. Disney's theme parks in Orlando closed early before Hurricane Milton made landfall and remained closed all day on October 10. It was the 11th time in its 53-year history that Disney World's Magic Kingdom has closed.

    ▶ Universal Orlando: The two theme parks, Volcano Bay and its Halloween Horror Nights, resumed normal operations on Friday, October 11th.

    ▶ Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Busch Gardens reopened on Sunday, October 13th. Adventure Island remains closed. Officials are asking visitors to check back for updates on reopening information.

    ▶ SeaWorld Orlando: SeaWorld as well as Discovery Cove and Aquatica reopened on Friday, October 11th.

    ▶ LEGOLAND Florida: The theme park reopened on Friday, October 11th.

    During the hurricane I had tickets to the theme parks. Can I reschedule or get a refund?

    Did you purchase tickets for Tuesday, Wednesday and/or Thursday when the theme parks were closed? You can find each park's hurricane policy and refund information here:

    Disney World Hurricane Policy

    According to its website, Walt Disney World Resort will make exceptions to its standard policy in the event of a hurricane and issue refunds if the National Hurricane Center issues a warning for the Orlando area or a visitor's residence within seven days of the “scheduled” arrival date “, If Tickets and reservations were booked directly through Disney. Dates can also be changed.

    You must contact any third party you booked with.

    Is Disney World closed in Orlando, Florida? Here is a list

    Disney World in Orlando has closed less than a dozen times for hurricanes and national emergencies since it opened in 1971. Here is a list of when Disney World's Magic Kingdom was not open to guests:

    • Hurricane Floyd in September 1999
    • Hurricane Charley in August 2004
    • Hurricane Frances in August 2004
    • Hurricane Jeanne in August 2004
    • Hurricane Matthew in October 2016
    • Hurricane Irma in October 2017
    • COVID-19 pandemic in 2020
    • Hurricane Ian in September 2022
    • Hurricane Milton in October 2024

    Find out when Disney World closes early here:

    • Hurricane Elena in August 1985
    • September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks

    Universal Hurricane Policy for Orlando

    Officials said last week that guests with tickets to visit Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure on Thursday, Oct. 10 – or Universal Volcano Bay on Wednesday, Oct. 9 or Thursday, Oct. 10 – will have their tickets for each day until Can be used on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

    Guests do not need to call or visit Guest Services. You can go directly to the entrance gate on your chosen date and show your entry ticket.

    Universal Orlando's website states that they “cannot make any guarantees about the weather, but your travel plans can still be stress-free.”

    “In the event that the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane or tropical storm warning or a state of emergency is declared for the Orlando area or where you live, you may contact our team in advance within seven days of your arrival to arrange your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacation Package to reschedule or cancel only Universal Orlando theme park hotel rooms and tickets booked directly with Universal Orlando without incurring cancellation or change fees.

    Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld Orlando

    Both sites say they offer a “weather or not guarantee” with their tickets.

    “Your visit is covered by our Weather or Not Assurance program. This program guarantees the value of your park admission and is valid year-round and covers weather events such as rain, lightning, extreme heat, wind, snow, hail and more. Park officials share.

    The following people are not eligible for Weather or Not Assurance tickets:

    • Pass Member Entry; Free tickets (including Weather or Not Assurance tickets); 14-day stay tickets and packages; Discovery Cove ticket packages.
    • The following may not be eligible and should be verified with Guest Relations: promotional/discount cards (group sales cards) and multi-day promotional cards.
    • Weather or Not insurance does not cover parking or additional products or experiences in the park

    You must stop by Guest Relations at the park or submit your information online to request your return visit. Make sure you have your original ticket or order number.

    LEGOLAND Florida

    On its website, LEGOLAND Florida states that the safety of “guests and model citizens is our top priority.”

    “If the National Hurricane Center issues a tropical storm or hurricane warning for the Central Florida region – or for your place of residence – within seven days of your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your visit to LEGOLAND Florida Resort without any penalties or fees from LEGOLAND and/ or Merlin Entertainments imposed.

    This policy applies only to LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park tickets, LEGOLAND Water Park tickets, Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida tickets and the theme park's various hotel reservations booked directly with LEGOLAND Florida Resort or LEGOLAND Vacations, as well as partner hotel reservations and Packages booked through LEGOLAND Holiday.

    How about Halloween Horror Nights, Howl-O-Scream or Mickey's Not-So-Scary Party?

    ▶ Mickey's not-so-scary party: Was canceled on Thursday October 10, 2024. The website states that if you purchased tickets directly from Disney using a credit or debit card, a refund will be issued automatically within 7 business days to the original form of payment.

    ▶ Halloween Horror Nights: The website states that guests with Halloween Horror Nights tickets with entry dated Wednesday, October 9th or Thursday, October 10th can use their tickets on any of the remaining nights of the event. Guests don't need to call or visit Guest Services – they can walk right up to the front gate and show their ticket on the night of their choosing.

    ▶ Howl-O-Scream: According to the website, Howl-O-Scream tickets can be used for any remaining night of the Howl-O-Scream event.

    Gatorland Orlando

    The “Alligator Capital of the World,” also known as Gatorland Orlando, closed the theme park on Wednesday and Thursday, October 9th and 10th, due to Hurricane Milton.

    A press release to FLORIDA TODAY, part of the USA TODAY Network, said: “Gatorland has decided to close the park” on the above dates “for the safety of its animals, guests and employees.”

    The press release continued: “Gatorland has an extensive hurricane preparedness plan that includes the proper care of all animals living at the theme park, and a team of dedicated staff will remain at the park to continue to care for the animals before during and after the storm.

    Gatorland Orlando reopened on October 12th in time for the first weekend of the “Gators, Ghosts and Goblins” Halloween event. Visit gatorland.com.

    NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex near Cape Canaveral, Florida

    The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex was closed October 9th and 10th due to severe weather caused by Hurricane Milton. The space theme park at NASA headquarters in Florida reopened on October 12, a day after Hurricane Milton left Cape Canaveral. Visit kennedyspacecenter.com.

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    Kathleen William
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