Is Disney World, Universal Orlando open ahead of Helene landfall?

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Whenever there’s a hurricane, two questions inevitably arise: Where is it headed, and will Florida’s theme parks close?

The National Hurricane Center expects Hurricane Helene to make landfall in northern Florida’s Big Bend region later Thursday, well north of Central Florida’s theme parks. However forecasters have noted Helene’s impact will be felt throughout the state.

While most theme parks, with the exception of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, are expecting to remain open Thursday, several have either closed sister parks or certain experiences for the day.

Here’s the status of each theme park and its overall hurricane policy.

Flight disruptions:Airlines offering fee-free flight changes ahead of Hurricane Helene

Is Disney World closed for Hurricane Helene?

Walt Disney World theme parks are still open to the public Thursday, however, some experiences will be impacted by the storm.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park and miniature golf courses will be closed on Thursday.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is also canceled for Thursday.

While Magic Kingdom was scheduled to close at 6 p.m. Thursday, due to the Halloween event, officials announced they are extending operating hours until 8 p.m. for guests to enjoy more time in the park.

When did Disney World close?

Disney World in Orlando has closed less than a dozen times for hurricanes and national emergencies since its opening in 1971.

Here’s a list of when Disney World did not open for guests:

Hurricane Floyd in September 1999
Hurricane Charley in August 2004
Hurricane Frances in August 2004
Hurricane Jeanne in August 2004
Hurricane Matthew in October 2016
Hurricane Irma in October 2017
COVID-19 Pandemic, from May 15, 2020, to July 11, 2020
Hurricane Ian in September 2022

Here’s when Disney World closed early:

Hurricane Elena in August 1985
Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks

What is Disney World’s hurricane policy? Can I get a refund?

According to its website, Walt Disney World Resort will make exceptions to its standard policy and issue refunds in the event of a hurricane if the National Hurricane Center issues a warning for the Orlando area or a visitor’s place of residence within seven days of their “scheduled arrival date,” if tickets and reservations were booked directly through Disney. Dates can be modified as well.

You will have to reach out to any third-party suppliers you booked with.

Did people evacuate to Disney World for a hurricane?

In previous hurricanes, the company has also offered deals to residents needing a safe place to evacuate and hunker down in the storm. During 2023’s Hurricane Nicole, Disney offered 50% off Disney resort hotel stays on select dates for evacuees, adding the company had strict check-in times.

Is Universal Studios, Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure in Florida closed for Hurricane Helene?

Universal Orlando’s theme parks are open Thursday, but Volcano Bay water park is closed and Halloween Horror Nights is canceled for the evening. Universal Studios Florida will close at 5 p.m. and Islands of Adventure will close at 8 p.m. as previously scheduled. CityWalk will close early at 8 p.m., according the resort.

Guests will Halloween Horror Nights tickets dated Sept. 26 can instead used them on any single night through Sunday, Sept. 29. The resort’s Guest Contact Center team can help with other HHN questions at 800-711-0080.

Universal Studios’ hurricane policy

Universal Orlando’s website states that they “can’t make guarantees about the weather, but your travel plans can still be stress-free.”

“In the event that a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center or a state of emergency is declared for the Orlando area or in your place of residence, within seven days of your arrival, you can contact our team in advance to reschedule or cancel your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations Package, hotel room only accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets booked directly with Universal Orlando, without any cancellation or change fees imposed.”

Is SeaWorld Orlando closed for Hurricane Helene?

SeaWorld Orlando remains open to the public Thursday, Sept. 26. However, its sister water parks, Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove, will be closed and reopen Friday, Sept. 27.

Is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay closed for Hurricane Helene?

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and its sister water park Adventure Island will be closed Thursday with plans to reopen Friday.

SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay hurricane policy

“Rest assured, our Guest Services team is prepared to assist you with shifting your date to a surrounding date,” SeaWorld and Busch Gardens’ parent company, United Parks & Resorts, said on its website. “Please contact our Guest Services team, you may email [email protected]. Please include your reservation number and “Hurricane rebooking” in the subject line of the email. We apologize for any inconvenience to your party and look forward to welcoming you.”

Both destinations also offer a “Weather-or-Not Assurance” with their tickets.

“Your visit is covered through our Weather-or-Not Assurance program. This program guarantees the value of your park admission and applies year-round, covering weather events such as rain, lightning, extreme heat, wind, snow, hail and more,” according to SeaWorld Orlando’ website.

Restrictions include:

The following are not eligible for Weather-or-Not Assurance tickets: Pass Member admission; complimentary tickets (including Weather-or-Not Assurance tickets); 14-Day Length of Stay tickets and packages; Discovery Cove ticket packages.
The following may not be eligible and should be verified at Guest Relations: Promotional/discount tickets (group sales tickets) and promotional multi-day tickets.
Weather-or-Not Assurance does not apply to parking or additional in-park products or experiences

You’ll have to stop by Guest Relations at the park or submit your information online to request your return visit. Make sure you have your original admission ticket or order number.

Is LEGOLAND Florida closed for Hurricane Helene?

LEGOLAND Florida and its sister parks LEGOLAND Florida Water Park and Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida are operating as usual Thursday while monitoring the storm.

LEGOLAND Florida hurricane policy

On its website, LEGOLAND Florida states the safety of “guests and Model Citizens is our highest priority.”

“If the National Hurricane Center issues a tropical storm or hurricane warning for the Central Florida area – or for your place of residence – within seven days preceding your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your LEGOLAND Florida Resort visit without any penalties or fees imposed by LEGOLAND and/or Merlin Entertainments.”

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