Hurricane Dorian has unleashed massive flooding across the Bahamas on Monday, shredding roofs, hurling cars and forcing rescue crews to take shelter. By late afternoon, the storm’s winds fell to 145 mph down from 185 mph hours earlier, as it inched along on its path of destruction.
Although the hurricane center was still forecasting that Dorian would stay off the U.S. coast as it makes its way up the seaboard, evacuations were ordered for parts of Florida and, later on, Monday, the Georgia and South Carolina coasts. According to Acting DHS chief Kevin McAleenan this past Sunday, “Even if the storm remains just off the U.S. mainland, it could still cause major problems with high winds, a devastating storm surge, and heavy rain.”
According to The Associated Press, Dorian is a powerful but small storm with hurricane-force winds Sunday only extending 29 miles to the west, but they are expected to grow a bit, which makes forecasting its path delicate and difficult.
President Donald Trump already declared a state of emergency and was briefed about what he called a “monstrous” storm.
To keep Guests and Cast Members informed, Walt Disney World has issued a statement with important information regarding Hurricane Dorian and how it will affect guests at the resort. They are closely monitoring the progress of the storm and are making operational adjustments as needed. These updates are important for the safety of Guests and Cast Members.
For those on Disney Cruise Lines, or interested in current updates, visit the Disney Cruise Line website here.
Here is current updated info direct from Walt Disney World as of Monday, Sept 2 at 6:00 pm EST. If there are any more updates, we will update this post.
PARK CLOSURES AND OPERATIONAL UPDATES
In keeping with our strong commitment to safety, our history of being prepared during inclement weather and to continue to delight guests who are staying at our resorts, Walt Disney World® Resort is adjusting its operating hours beginning Tuesday, September 3:
Tuesday, September 3 (UPDATED 9/3 at 5:30 pm EST)
Magic Kingdom®Park: 8:00 AM-3:00 PM (opening at 7:00 AM for Extra Magic Hours)
Epcot®: 7:00 AM-7:00 PM (new time)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios®: 9:00 AM-2:00 PM (opening at 6:00 AM for Extra Magic Hours)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom®Theme Park: 8:00 AM-2:00 PM (opening at 7:00 AM for Extra Magic Hours)
Disney Springs®: 10:00 AM-8:00 PM (new time)
ESPN Wide World of Sports: Closed
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park: Closed
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf: 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM
Operations for Wednesday, September 4, with the following hours:
Wednesday, September 4
Magic Kingdom Park: 8:00 AM-10:00 PM (open for Extra Magic Hours from 10:00 PM-12:00 AM)
Epcot: 9:00 AM-9:00 PM
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9:00 AM-10:00 PM
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: 8:00 AM-9:00 PM
Disney Springs: 10:00 AM-12:00 AM
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park: Closed
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf: 10:00 AM-10:00 PM
Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf: 10:00 AM-10:00 PM
Due to schedule-related impacts associated with Hurricane Dorian, morning Extra Magic Hours are not available on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Magic Kingdom Park will host evening Extra Magic Hours from 10:00 PM-12:00 AM.
Please continue to monitor Disneyworld.com for additional updates and news outlets for the latest weather information. For more information, review frequently asked questions regarding Disney’s hurricane policy here.
DISNEY RESORT HOTEL OPERATIONAL UPDATES
Disney Resort hotels will remain open. In keeping safety top of mind, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will be closed beginning September 3 at 3 p.m. and will reopen following the storm when it is safe to do so.
Disney has contacted guests with current and upcoming reservations at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to relocate them to other resorts on property and to help them plan for anticipated weather impacts.
SPECIAL EVENT CANCELLATIONS AND UPDATES
Disney After Hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been canceled on Tuesday, September 3, 2019. Guests with pre-purchased event tickets for this date are able to exchange their tickets for one of the following options:
- Tickets to attend another Disney After Hours event in 2019.
- Tickets to a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party event in 2019.
- 1-Day Flexible Date Ticket with Park Hopper Option, which can be used any day prior to December 31, 2020.
- Receive a full refund for event tickets.
To redeem these other options, you should call (407) 939-7818 by December 15, 2019 between the hours of 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM, or email [email protected]. Please have your tickets available so that they may process the request for you as quickly as possible.
DINING AND OTHER EXPERIENCE RESERVATIONS
On Sept. 3, theme park dining reservations will be honored up to one hour prior to park closing. Resort dining reservations will be honored until 5:30 p.m. Effective immediately, Disney World will not be enforcing cancellation policies for dining and other experiences, so there’s no need for you to cancel existing reservations through Tuesday, Sept. 3. Pre-paid dining and other experiences outside of the modified operating hours for Sept. 3 will be automatically canceled and refunded.