With Hurricane Milton on course to pass over Orlando on Wednesday, and likely theme park closures imminent, I thought it would be interesting to revisit the few times Walt Disney World has closed over the years. It doesn’t happen often, so when it does, there is always a very good reason. Here is a recap of each time the resort has closed.
The Ten Times Disney World Has Closed
1. Hurricane Floyd (1999)
Walt Disney World experienced its first full-day closure on September 15, 1999, due to Hurricane Floyd. As a massive Category 4 hurricane barreled towards Florida, the resort decided to close to ensure the safety of both guests and employees. Although the hurricane changed course and missed Central Florida, the resort’s closure was a clear indicator of the park’s commitment to guest safety. Disney World closed for the entire day and reopened the following morning after the storm had passed.
2. The September 11 Terrorist Attacks (2001)
Perhaps one of the most poignant closures in Walt Disney World’s history occurred on September 11, 2001. After the tragic terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the park closed midday. At 11 a.m., Disney World officials made the unprecedented decision to close all parks and evacuate guests, sending them back to their resorts or homes. The sudden nature of this closure reflected the uncertainty and shock felt across the nation. The parks remained closed on September 12, reopening on September 13 with increased security measures in place.
3. Hurricane Charley (2004)
Florida’s volatile weather again forced Walt Disney World to close in 2004, this time due to Hurricane Charley. On August 13, 2004, the park shut down early, marking the first time in its history that it had closed due to a hurricane that directly impacted the resort. Hurricane Charley was a powerful Category 4 storm, and while Disney World’s infrastructure is designed to withstand harsh weather, the park took precautionary measures to ensure the safety of everyone on-site. The resort reopened the following day, with some minimal storm damage observed throughout the property.
4&5. Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne (2004)
The 2004 hurricane season proved to be a challenging one for Walt Disney World, as the resort faced two additional closures after Hurricane Charley. In early September, Hurricane Frances, a slow-moving but large storm, caused the resort to close for nearly two days, from September 4 to September 5. Later that month, on September 26, Hurricane Jeanne, following a similar path as Frances, caused another one-day closure. Despite the back-to-back storms, Disney quickly reopened after each one.
6. Hurricane Matthew (2016)
In October 2016, Hurricane Matthew threatened much of Florida’s east coast, leading to another rare closure of Walt Disney World. On October 6, Disney closed early in preparation for the storm’s arrival, with the parks remaining closed through October 7. Although Hurricane Matthew skirted the coast rather than directly hitting Orlando, the resort still felt the effects of strong winds and heavy rain. The parks reopened on October 8, with minimal disruptions reported.
7. Hurricane Irma (2017)
Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record, caused Walt Disney World to close once again in 2017. On September 10 and 11, the parks shut down as Irma made landfall in Florida. This marked the second time in less than a year that the resort had closed due to a hurricane. Irma caused significant power outages and tree damage throughout the property, but thanks to the resort’s preparedness, the parks reopened quickly, resuming operations on September 12.
8. Hurricane Dorian (2019)
In early September 2019, Walt Disney World braced for another storm—Hurricane Dorian. The hurricane, which devastated parts of the Bahamas, prompted the resort to close early on September 3, though the parks reopened the next day. Dorian, fortunately, stayed off the Florida coast, sparing the area from the worst of its destruction. However, Disney’s closure reflected the park’s growing pattern of preemptive hurricane preparedness.
9. The COVID-19 Pandemic (2020)
By far the longest closure in Walt Disney World’s history was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 15, 2020, the parks closed in response to growing concerns over the global spread of the virus. This marked the first time all four parks had closed for an extended period, as Disney grappled with the uncertainties of the pandemic. The closure lasted nearly four months, with the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom reopening on July 11, 2020, followed by EPCOT and Hollywood Studios on July 15. New safety protocols, including reduced capacity, mandatory masks, and social distancing, were implemented to ensure the safety of guests and cast members. This closure, which disrupted vacations for millions of visitors, had a profound impact on the company’s operations and revenue.
10. Hurricane Ian (2022)
Most recently, Walt Disney World closed due to Hurricane Ian, a powerful Category 4 storm that made landfall on the west coast of Florida. From September 28 to September 29, 2022, the resort temporarily closed its theme parks and suspended many resort operations in anticipation of the storm’s effects. Although Orlando was not directly in the hurricane’s path, the resort took necessary precautions, with limited operations resuming on September 30.
Ten closures in 53 years is an amazing track record for such a vast and complicated mega-resort. It speaks volumes to the quality of Disney construction and the relative luck the resort has had over the years being in an area frequented by hurricanes every year.
