As you may be aware, Hurricane Ian is currently making its way through the tropics and could affect Central Florida and the Walt Disney World area later this week. Starting today, Monday, September 25th, a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for both Orange and Osceola Counties, the two counties where Walt Disney World is located.
UPDATE 9/27/2022 5:10 PM:
- An update from the National Weather Service has adjusted the forecast model for Hurricane Ian only slightly, with the storm now making landfall south of Tampa Bay near Sarasota and Fort Meyers as a category 4 hurricane. From there the storm will head northeast arriving directly over the Orlando Metro area (including the Central Florida Theme Parks) as a tropical storm. Orlando has also gone into a hurricane warning, due to the conditions that will soon enter the Orlando area. A Hurricane Warning means hurricane-force winds are expected somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours. Since the last update, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, and other area attractions including ICON Park and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex have all announced plans to close later this week.
UPDATE 9/27/2022 12:20 PM:
- The 11:00 AM update from the National Weather Service now has the forecast model for Hurricane Ian shifting further East, putting Orlando and Central Florida directly into the path of the storm, though local meteorologists all state that the storm will weaken significantly once it is over land. That said, Orange and Osceola counties are now under a Hurricane Watch.
- A Hurricane Watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours. The forecast shows Strong Tropical Storm force wind with a Peak Wind Forecast: 55-65 mph with gusts to 80 mph. Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Wednesday afternoon until Friday afternoon. The primary concern with Ian in Central Florida is the sheer amount of rain that is anticipated, with Flood watches also in effect for the area, with the National Weather Service also suggesting that the conditions will be favorable for tornadoes as well.
- LEGOLAND Florida has also announced that they would be closing their parks in advance of Hurricane Ian’s arrival, closing tonight at 5:00 PM.
UPDATE 9/27/2022 10:05 AM:
- The latest updates from the National Weather Service and projected routes that Hurricane Ian will take show the storm shifting east, making landfall near Tampa Bay— about an hour from the Orlando area. Currently, Orange County and Osceola County are under a Tropical Storm Warning, with Hurricane Ian expected to have significant impacts across East Central Florida.
- According to the National Weather Service, with Ian’s approach, tropical storm conditions will develop across the interior east central Florida Wednesday, and spread northeast toward the Florida east coast late Wednesday night into Thursday. With the track continuing to gradually shift eastward, Tropical Storm conditions will spread across a larger portion of east central Florida, as well as the adjacent coastal waters. There is also an increasing potential for Hurricane conditions near its center to extend across Lake County.
- As of this update Universal Orlando plans to remain open, while Walt Disney World is set to close Typhoon Lagoon and select resorts with no changes to their theme park hours.
Originally Reported:
- A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect, meaning that tropical storm-force winds are possible within the next 48 hours.
- Winds could reach 20-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.
- Please note that Walt Disney World does not currently have any policy in play for Tropical Storms. However, if the storm reaches Hurricane level, then the Hurricane Policy will take effect.
- Hurricane Ian is currently forecasted to make landfall on the west coast of Florida on Wednesday morning, September 28th — although uncertainty about its path remains high.
Walt Disney World Hurricane Policy:
- 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 call in advance to 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.
- If you did not book your vacation through the Walt Disney Travel Company, you should contact your travel agent or tour operator directly for information relating to the cancellation and change policies that apply to your package.
- If you instead want to reschedule your vacation, you also can. Cast Members will be able to reschedule your vacation to your new desired travel dates if the same special offer is available. If the same special offer is not available Cast Members will assist by identifying alternate offers during your new desired travel dates. All amounts you paid to the Walt Disney Travel Company for rooms, park tickets, dining plans and other Disney products and services will be applied toward your new reservation.
- Any discounts or special offers applicable to your original confirmed vacation may not apply to the rescheduled vacation travel dates. You are responsible for applicable package pricing for the new vacation dates.
- This policy also applies to Disney's Vero Beach Resort or Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort in the event a hurricane warning is issued for those destinations.
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