Disney under fire for keeping Orlando park open despite Hurricane Milton warnings

Walt Disney World in Florida remained open to the public as of Monday, prompting some online to criticize the theme park giant as Hurricane Milton is on a collision course with Orlando.

However, Disney World has taken some steps to prepare for the hurricane, including banning people from making park reservations for Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Milton strengthened into a Category 4 storm Monday morning and is expected to hit the West Florida coast Wednesday morning, impacting many of the same communities devastated by Hurricane Helene just two weeks ago.

Governor Ron DeSantis has already declared a state of emergency in dozens of Florida counties, including Orange and Osceola counties – where Disney World is located.

Disney World has a reputation for rarely closing, and so far the company has not indicated that the Magic Kingdom’s doors will close for Milton’s arrival.

“Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating under normal conditions. “We are closely monitoring the path of the expected storm as we continue to prioritize the safety of our guests and cast members,” read a Sunday statement from Disney World.

Pictured: Hurricane Milton’s path as of Monday morning, showing impact off the west coast of Florida sometime on Wednesday

The fact that Disney World hasn’t closed yet has irked some on social media, one of whom accused Disney of putting profits before people.

“Will the Disney Company choose ‘magic’ over Hurricane Milton margins?” wrote someone on

Another wrote: ‘Cat 3 when it hits Tampa and they’re still talking about opening. Smh..Disney doesn’t care.’

The park is expected to be hit by the worst of the weather from Milton from Wednesday evening through Thursday. Winds could gust up to 65 miles per hour and 2 to 3 inches of rain is expected, according to a WESH 2 prediction.

Customers already at the sprawling resort have been warned that severe weather could result in certain experiences being postponed, rescheduled or canceled.

For example, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was canceled during Hurricane Helene.

Pictured: A NOAA satellite image of Hurricane Milton as it gains strength in the Gulf of Mexico

Tampa and Orlando are in a “Hurricane Watch” area

People who have reservations to go to Disney World this week and want to avoid the high winds and likely travel delays do have the option to cancel or reschedule their trip.

‘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 can reschedule your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort hotel packages and most room packages or cancel. reservations only (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney,” according to an FAQ on Disney’s website.

Disney World has closed less than a dozen times due to hurricanes and national emergencies since it opened in 1971. Florida today reported.

The last time it closed was in September 2022 due to Hurricane Ian, which passed through the northern tip of Cuba and then reached Tampa and Orlando before coming to rest in North Carolina.

Disney World is also closed during the Covid-19 pandemic from May 15, 2020 to July 11, 2020.