Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Cancelation Policies During a Hurricane

Hurricane season has begun in Florida with the potential for big storms to hit the state. If you’re visiting Disney World at this time, you may be wondering how your vacation might be affected by an incoming storm.

Disney World has been in the potential path of a major storm on some occasions over the years, so Disney knows how to handle preparations and safety concerns. During past storms, Disney has (at times) closed certain hotels, closed some parks early or for entire days, and/or closed some attractions — like its water parks and mini golf courses. So, what happens if a serious storm approaches at some point during this hurricane season and you want to cancel or postpone your trip? There are some key policies you’ll want to keep in mind. Here’s EVERYTHING you need to know about Disney World’s hurricane cancelation and refund policies.

If a Hurricane Warning is Issued Within 7 Days of Your Arrival Date…

If you would like to cancel or reschedule your Disney World vacation, you may be able to do so with fewer cancelation fees or restrictions, depending on the situation.

Disney’s cancelation policy during hurricanes states that “if a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort hotel packages and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney. Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates.”

Note that there are some limitations built into that statement. Specifically, you’ll need to make sure the hurricane warning has been issued within the applicable number of days, and note that this ability to cancel or reschedule without any fees only applies to “your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort hotel packages and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney).”

If you didn’t book your hotel package directly through Disney, Disney notes that you should “contact your tour operator directly for information relating to the cancellation and change policies that apply to your package.”

There’s another important exception to this hurricane cancelation policy to be aware of as well. Disney warns that this hurricane no-fees cancelation/rescheduling policy does NOT apply to “rooms or packages for youth groups, other groups and special events. It also does not apply to meetings and conventions.” If you have a special package that was booked for one of these things, you should call your event manager for help.

Also, be aware that this modified hurricane policy does NOT cover third-party suppliers (like your airline, car rental, or travel insurance) who are not Disney. Those other suppliers likely have their own cancelation and refund policies, so you’ll need to look at that closely. Some of those policies may be relaxed due to a potential storm threat, but that’ll be something you’ll need to inquire about.

Disney specifically notes “If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation—such as air transportation, hotels, car rental agencies or travel insurance companies—you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers.”

Keep in mind that this policy also doesn’t necessarily apply to “certain special events or dining experiences.” But we’ll cover more on that below.

Disney advises: “If you have questions, are unable to modify or cancel online or you need additional help rescheduling your vacation due to a hurricane warning, please call (407) 939-7675.”

Dining Reservations and Special Experiences

As noted above, Disney has specifically said that the modified hurricane cancelation policy does not necessarily apply to “certain special events or dining experiences.”

When it comes to dining, most Disney World restaurants only require you to cancel at least 2 hours before the reservation in order to avoid cancelation fees. BUT there are exceptions for certain restaurants and experiences. And other special experiences (like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, etc.) have cancelation policies of their own that you need to worry about.

But sometimes Disney has made certain exceptions there when a storm is on its way.

In the past, Disney has sometimes announced that they would not enforce cancelation policies for dining and other special experiences (like Savi’s Workshop and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique) due to incoming storms. In other words, you could cancel those reservations without any fees.

So, if a storm is approaching and you’re thinking of canceling certain special reservations you’ve made, be sure to check and see if Disney has made any specific exceptions regarding cancelations and fees. And if no such exceptions exist, take a careful look at the cancelation and fee policies for the special experience reservations you’ve made, and be sure to cancel before fees apply (if possible).

Special Offers and Discounts

If you booked your Disney vacation with a special offer or discount and then a hurricane warning is issued within 7 days of your arrival, you might be able to receive the same discount if you reschedule. This will depend on whether the offer is available for your new desired dates.

Disney notes that “Cast Members will be able to reschedule your vacation to your new desired travel dates if the same special offer is available for those dates. If the same special offer is not available Cast Members will assist by identifying alternate offers, if any, during your new desired travel dates.”

When you reschedule, rest assured that all of the money you previously paid to Disney for your room, park tickets, and other Disney experiences will be applied to your new reservation.

But again, keep in mind that the discounts or special offers you originally booked might not be available for your new dates. If there is any increase in pricing for your new vacation package, you will be responsible for that.

Will I Be Able to Book the Same Hotel?

If you cancel a reservation due to an incoming storm, you might be wondering if you’ll be able to book the same hotel for your new desired dates. Disney warns that they cannot guarantee the same hotel accommodations that you reserved for your first trip if you choose to reschedule.

It all depends on availability, so you’ll have to see what’s available for your rescheduled trip. Just keep that in mind!

In short, if a Hurricane Warning is issued for the Orlando area (or your area of residence) within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you can generally cancel your trip (specifically Disney Company hotel packages and most room-only reservations booked directly with Disney) for a full refund or reschedule without any extra fees imposed by Disney. Of course, certain exceptions and terms apply, as we discussed above, but hopefully, that gives you a better idea of what to look for.

If you plan to visit during hurricane season, here are a few tips and things to keep in mind:

• Be sure to check the weather and look for any hurricane warnings that might be issued for the Orlando area or your own place of residence.
• As soon as you decide to make a change in your trip plans, be sure to reach out to Disney or take whatever steps necessary to make those changes.
• If you do plan to visit Disney when a storm is coming, be prepared! Pack those ponchos, bring external battery packs, and remember to carefully pick water-friendly shoes. See our list of essentials for hurricane season here.

Stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest updates that may affect your upcoming trip.

Click here to learn how Disney World prepares for hurricanes.

Are you planning to reschedule your Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments.

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