Hurricane Milton: Disney's Unprecedented Closure

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What Happened at Walt Disney World – Hurricane Milton

Mickey Views

Oct 12, 2024

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Entertainment

Introduction

  1. Hurricane Milton hit Central Florida on October 10th, 2024, bringing strong winds of 86 mph and heavy rain to the Orlando area. This severe weather event led to significant disruptions in the region.
  2. Due to the storm, Walt Disney World theme parks were temporarily closed. This marked only the 13th unscheduled closure in the resort's 53-year history, highlighting the storm's severity.
  3. Following the hurricane, Walt Disney World theme parks have reopened, indicating a quick recovery effort. Additionally, Typhoon Lagoon water park and Fort Wilderness campgrounds are set to reopen over the weekend.
  4. Viewers of the channel who experienced the storm firsthand provided photos, contributing to a comprehensive post-hurricane damage report. This report aims to assess and document the impact of Hurricane Milton on the resort.

Storm Preparations

  1. The hurricane, initially predicted to be one of the worst for Walt Disney World, did not meet the forecasted severity, with winds expected to exceed 110 mph in Orlando not materializing. However, the storm did cause tornadoes in South Florida, and Walt Disney World was under tornado warnings, which is unusual for the area.
  2. In preparation for the storm, Disney took several precautionary measures across their parks. Hanging signs and light fixtures were secured to prevent them from being blown away. Outdoor point of sale systems at Epcot were waterproofed, and MagicBand touchpoints were similarly protected to avoid water damage.
  3. Banners around the parks were removed, and at Disney's Contemporary Resort, two monorails were parked inside the hotel to shield them from the storm. The cutouts in the building for the monorails were closed, demonstrating a strategic move to protect the infrastructure.
  4. Disney employed an unusual method of strapping down carts with yellow nylon straps, drilling them into guest pathways, a tactic that was also used by a homeowner in Florida and proved effective in both cases.
  5. As the storm approached, Disney intensified their preparations by securing umbrellas with zip ties and removing canvas from outdoor structures. By Wednesday evening, Disney had updated their website to confirm closures for Thursday, advising guests to shelter indoors.

As It Happened

  1. Hurricane Milton made landfall on the Gulf Coast, causing flooding and powerful winds in areas like Sarasota, Fort Meyers, and St. Petersburg. In St. Petersburg, a crane fell, and the roof of Tropicana Field was damaged.
  2. As the hurricane moved towards Orlando, meteorologists' predictions of rapid de-intensification came true. The wind gusts, initially over 100 mph on the Gulf Coast, decreased significantly by the time the storm reached Central Florida.
  3. Walt Disney World experienced wind gusts of 86 mph, some of the highest recorded in Orlando since the resort's establishment. These gusts were comparable to those during Hurricane Irma in 2017, which saw 91 mph gusts at Disney's Contemporary Resort.
  4. Despite the storm, Epcot's Beacons of Magic lights on Spaceship Earth continued to operate throughout the night, providing stunning visuals amidst the storm's wind, rain, and clouds.
  5. Guests at Walt Disney World captured remarkable audio of the storm from inside the hotels, highlighting the intense conditions as the wind howled outside. Some people were seen outside during the storm, adding to the unusual scene.

Damage Report

  1. As the rain and wind subsided, guests at Walt Disney World began to explore the resort, capturing the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. The day was marked by minor flooding and debris from trees, which Disney's horticulture teams quickly addressed to restore normalcy.
  2. Significant damage was observed at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, where a large section of a roof was torn off by strong winds. Similar damage occurred at another longhouse, and at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, shingles were blown off the roof.
  3. In the Epcot resort area, numerous trees were downed, causing damage to light fixtures. At Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, siding was ripped off buildings by 86 mph wind gusts, and minor flooding was reported at the Swan and Dolphin hotels.
  4. World Drive, a main road to the Magic Kingdom, experienced flooding, but Disney promptly deployed pumps to remove excess water. Some road signs were also damaged during the storm.
  5. Guest accommodations included free arcade games and discounted puzzles and board games. A unique offer included a $10 bag with peanut butter, jelly, bread, and utensils, providing a quirky solution for guests during the storm.
  6. At Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, a themed door was blown off its hinges, showcasing the storm's power. Despite debris at the Yacht and Beach Club, the grounds held up well against the strong winds.
  7. Animals returned to the Savannah at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge after the storm, indicating a return to normalcy. The theme parks reopened the following day, with Disney having completed preliminary damage assessments.
  8. The Liberty Tree at Magic Kingdom, a historical landmark, lost some branches but remained intact. Overall, Disney World fared better in Hurricane Milton compared to Hurricane Irma, with less severe damage reported.

Outside of Disney

  1. Hurricane Milton caused significant disruptions at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, leading to its 13th unscheduled closure in 53 years. The storm's impact was felt across various theme parks in the area, with tree collapses being a common issue.
  2. The Polynesian Village Resort and other Disney World theme parks experienced damage, primarily from fallen trees. Despite the damage, the situation could have been worse given the initial forecasts.
  3. Other theme parks in Orlando, including a construction site for a new Universal park, also reported tree damage. However, the overall impact was less severe than anticipated.
  4. In contrast, areas outside of Disney, particularly near the Gulf, faced more severe consequences. Homes were flooded or filled with sand, and South Florida experienced a devastating tornado situation.
  5. The report expresses hope that Hurricane Milton will be the last hurricane to make landfall in the Gulf area, as the region has already faced significant challenges.

Conclusion

  1. Brayden provides an update on Walt Disney World during Hurricane Milton, marking the 13th unscheduled closure in the resort's 53-year history. This highlights the significance of the storm's impact on the park's operations.
  2. The update includes a detailed look at the damage sustained by Walt Disney World, particularly focusing on Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and other theme parks within the resort. This provides insight into the extent of the storm's impact on the infrastructure.
  3. The report is part of Mickey Views News, a platform that delivers news related to Disney, ensuring fans and visitors are informed about significant events affecting the parks.
  4. The content excludes any promotional material or sponsorship mentions to maintain an academic focus, ensuring the summary is strictly based on the provided text.