Disney World Announces Closures and Cancelation Policy Changes Due to Hurricane Ian

UPDATE: Disney World conducted a phased reopening of the theme parks and Disney Springs on September 30th. The parks and Disney Springs and much of the rest of the resort are now open.

Tropical Storm Ian recently strengthened into Hurricane Ian and we’ve continued to bring you updates on how the storm could affect your Disney World trip.

Rainy Day in Disney World

This is not Disney World’s first hurricane — Disney has provided specific hurricane meal kits and even closed parks before due to weather. Although none of the parks are scheduled to close yet as Hurricane Ian heads to Florida, there are some areas on property that will be different or closed — Disney is helping guests by altering some change and cancelation policies as well. Let’s dive into the changes.

Disney released information on their weather updates page saying “Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating under normal conditions as we prepare to make necessary adjustments based on the latest information from the National Weather Service. We continue to put the safety of our Cast Members and Guests first and will share updates as we monitor Hurricane Ian.”

©WESH

UPDATE: Disney World later announced to Cast Members that the theme parks would close on Wednesday, September 28th and Thursday, September 29th. Disney Springs will also close on the 28th and the 29th.

Magic Kingdom

Disney stated “Partially used multi-day theme park tickets with a usage window impacted by Hurricane Ian related park closure will automatically be extended to use the remaining entitlements through any date through September 30, 2023.”

Learn more about the closures here

UPDATE: Disney World will be conducting a phased reopening of the theme parks and Disney Springs on September 30th. Click here for more information.

©Disney

Disney also announced a few hotel rules. First, guests must check into their hotels by 3PM on September 28th for guest and Cast Member safety. If this doesn’t work for your trip, any cancelation fees will be waived.

Gasparilla Island Grill

Here are a few other hotel rules you’ll need to follow if you’re checking in tomorrow:

  • Guests checked in by 3PM on September 28th will be asked to shelter in place at their resort during the storm. This included resort-to-resort transfers.
  • Dining options will vary by hotel and may be very limited. There is no need for dining reservations if sit down restaurants are available — they will accept walk-ups only.
  • Characters will not be available at character dining locations on September 28th and 29th
  • The Grand Floridian Spa will close at 12PM on September 28th
All Star Sports

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom has been canceled on Thursday, September 29th.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary

All Disney World transportation will stop running Tuesday night after the parks and Disney Springs close. Disney did not announce when all transportation would resume, but we’ll update when they do.

Skyliner

Limited Minnie Vans and Mears taxi service will be offered to Disney World hotel guests with existing breakfast reservations.

Minnie Vans!

If you are staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, or the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort anytime from September 28th through September 30th, these rooms will be closed. Disney says that they are reaching out to guests who had a reservation, so check your inbox or reach out to Disney to help you rebook or cancel your stay.

Polynesian Village Bungalows

The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is also closing from Tuesday September 27th to Thursday, September 29th “due to the potential impact on the guest experience.” You can rebook or cancel by calling 407-939-5209.

Welcome to Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

Typhoon Lagoon, Disney World’s only waterpark that is currently open, will close on September 28th and September 29th.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

Disney World’s mini golf courses Winter Summerland, Fairways Mini Golf, and Fantasia Gardens are also closing temporarily on September 28th and 29th.

Winter Summerland Miniature Golf

Because of the closures at Fort Wilderness, Disney’s Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue show has been canceled on September 28th through September 30th. Anyone with pre-paid reservations will have those canceled and refunded.

Hoop-Dee-Doo

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will also be closed on September 28th and 29th.

ESPN Wide World of Sports

If you had tickets to the Cirque du Soleil show in Disney Springs, you’ll need to exchange or cancel them. Drawn to Life has canceled its performances on September 28th and 29th.

Drawn to Life

Those are all of the closures, however, Disney announced that they will be waiving some change fees and cancelation fees.

Effective immediately, Disney will not enforce cancelation policies until further notice on things like dining reservations and other experiences including the newly reopened Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Savi’s Workshop in Galaxy’s Edge.

UPDATE: Disney has announced that they will not be enforcing cancelation policies for dining and those special experiences only through Sunday, October 9th.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

And Disney has also shared this statement.

©Disney

Those are all of the latest changes from Disney World regarding Hurricane Ian. We’ll continue to bring you the latest changes in the storm and update you if there are any additional closures or policy changes.

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Are you heading to Disney World this week? Did you change your plans? Let us know in the comments.

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4 Replies to “Disney World Announces Closures and Cancelation Policy Changes Due to Hurricane Ian”

  1. We were due to arrive Thursday evening 9/29 with tickets to MNSSH on Friday night-just cancelled our plans-flights into Orlando were cancelled shortly after…we will come next year for the party and wear all our fun Hocus Pocus gear anyway!!! Be safe everyone

  2. Are flight is cancelled. So we cancelled hotel room but we have event ticket to Mickey not so scary Halloween Sunday and haven’t been able to cancel it!!!

  3. We were there at the Royal Orleans resort in 2015 when the park closed to the hurricane that year…Everyone in the park, resort guests or not, head to the resort hotels for rest, food, and maybe a glass of wine…I never realized that we would be completely without water or food for over 24 hrs…just take my advice…stock your room with enough essentials for 24 to 48 hrs…no busses, taxis, or pizza delivery…you think just your resort guests go back there…but no…everyone with hungry kids head to all of the resorts..they never run out of alcohol, though….lol.