Disney World and Universal Orlando are closed due to Hurricane Milton

In a rare move, Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando will be closed this week in response to Hurricane Milton, a major hurricane that is expected to hit Florida late Wednesday.

In a statement on its website, Disney said it would close its parks in stages, with Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom closing at 1 p.m. on Wednesday and the Magic Kingdom and Epcot closing at 2 p.m

“It is likely that theme parks will remain closed on Thursday, October 10th. We will consider opening Disney Springs in the late afternoon with limited offerings on Thursday,” the statement continued.

The company is also closing its water parks starting Wednesday and canceling Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom on Thursday. Disney World Resorts are expected to remain open, but Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will be temporarily closed.

Meanwhile, Universal, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk will close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday and remain closed on Thursday. The water park remains closed and the Halloween Horror Nights event is canceled on both Wednesday and Thursday. Resort hotels remain open and are expected to reopen on Friday.

Disney World has closed its doors only a few times in its 50-year history, almost exclusively due to hurricanes (the only exceptions were an extended closure during the COVID-19 pandemic and after the September 11 terrorist attacks).