UPDATED! After the Storm: Florida Theme Parks Reopen

After battering the Orlando area, Hurricane Ian was downgraded to Tropical Storm Ian and moved off Florida’s East Coast, but unfortunately the storm quickly regained hurricane strength and is now heading towards South Carolina, where it’s expected to make another landfall (potentially putting Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort in harm’s way).

Even though huge swaths of Florida’s West Coast were devastated, and many communities in Orlando suffered significant flooding and structural damage, some of the theme parks in the hurricane-affected areas re-opened on Sept. 30, 2022, although others remained closed a while longer.

Here’s a roundup of information now that Ian has roared away.

We’ve been following all the theme park closures, but here’s what we know about their plans for reopening:

Reopening Information for Walt Disney World Resort

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser operations will resume on Oct. 1, 2022

Partially used multi-day theme park tickets with a validity window impacted by hurricane closures will be extended to allow use of remaining unused ticket days through Sept. 30, 2023.

Oct. 1, 2022 Operating Hours for Walt Disney World Theme Parks:

Complete information about Walt Disney World operations will be posted HERE.

The Walt Disney Company has issued the following statement:

Reopening Information for Universal Orlando Resort

The Oct. 1, 2022 Halloween Horror Nights event will be open to all guests.

Oct. 1, 2022 Operating Hours for Universal Orlando Theme Parks:

Complete information about Universal Orlando operations will be posted HERE.

We have seen photos on Twitter of damage to the Jurassic Park River Adventure show building and The Incredible Hulk Coaster tracks submerged under flood water at Universal’s Islands of Adventure park, so it’s logical to assume those attractions will remain closed even if the park re-opens.

Reopening Information for other Florida Theme Parks

SeaWorld Orlando

All date-intended tickets for Sept. 28-30, 2022 have been extended through Dec. 31, 2022. Annual Pass Members’ guest tickets with an expiration date of Sept. 30 and Oct. 2 have been extended through Oct. 16, 2022.

All date-intended Howl-O-Scream tickets for Sept. 30 have been extended through Oct. 31, 2022.

Oct. 1, 2022 Operating Hours for Adventure Island, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Discovery Cove:

• Adventure Island – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• SeaWorld Orlando – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream – 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Aquatica Orlando – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Discovery Cove – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

All date-intended tickets for Sept. 27-30 have been extended through Dec. 31, 2022. Annual Pass Members’ guest tickets with an expiration date of Sept. 30 and Oct. 2 have been extended through Oct. 16, 2022.

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream tickets for Sept. 30 have been extended through Oct. 31, 2022.

Oct. 1, 2022 Operating Hours for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay:

• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream – 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Legoland Florida and Peppa Pig Park

Any tickets dated for Sept. 28 through Oct. 2, 2022 will be automatically extended through Dec. 31, 2022.

Oct. 1, 2022 Operating Hours for Legoland Florida and Peppa Pig Theme Parks:

 

 

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This is a developing story and more information will be added as it is announced. 

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