Life Is Like a Hurricane — at Walt Disney World
Life is like a hurricane… here in Florida.
And while most days at Walt Disney World are filled with sunshine, parades, and pixie dust, the storm clouds do roll in—especially from June through November.If your magical vacation collides with a not-so-magical weather advisory, what actually happens? Do the parks close? Will you get a refund? Is the magic lost to the winds?
Let’s dive into Disney’s official hurricane policy and revisit some of the wildest weather moments in the resort’s history—because sometimes your Disney day turns into a real DuckTales adventure: Woo-oo!
Disney’s Official Hurricane Policy
Walt Disney World is known for meticulous planning, and hurricanes are no exception. If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area or your place of residence within 7 days of your arrival, Disney offers flexible options to cancel or reschedule without penalty.
From Disney’s official policy:
“If a hurricane warning is issued for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company vacation package and most room-only reservations without any cancellation or change fees.”
This applies to most bookings made directly through Disney. If you booked through a third party or included airfare, check their terms too—or better yet, buy travel insurance.
Do the Parks Ever Close?
Yes—but only under truly extreme conditions.
Walt Disney World has closed due to hurricanes just a handful of times in over 50 years. The parks are engineered to handle high winds and rain, and they generally remain open through tropical storms and bad weather.
Only direct hurricane threats prompt a full closure—and even then, Disney is quick to reopen once conditions are safe.
A Brief History of Hurricane Closures at Walt Disney World
Here are some of the most significant storm events in Disney World history:
Hurricane Floyd (1999)
- First-ever full resort closure in Disney World history.
- Guests were kept indoors, with storm kits delivered to rooms.
- Parks reopened the next day with no major damage.
Hurricane Charley (2004)
- Part of the infamous 2004 triple-threat season (Charley, Frances, Jeanne).
- Charley prompted the second full closure of Walt Disney World.
- Minor property damage, mostly tree limbs and signage.
Hurricane Matthew (2016)
- Parks closed early on October 6 and remained closed through October 7.
- Fourth-ever full closure at the time.
- Limited guest inconvenience and no long-term damage.
Hurricane Irma (2017)
- Closed for two days (September 10–11).
- Guests were kept safe in resorts with boxed meals and surprise character visits.
- Cleanup involved tree removal, power restoration, and path clearing.
Hurricane Ian (2022)
- Parks closed on September 28–29.
- Moderate flooding across Central Florida, but Disney bounced back quickly.
- Transportation resumed within 48 hours and operations returned to normal soon after.
What Happens if You’re Already There?
If a storm hits during your stay:
- Disney resorts offer boxed meals, indoor activities, and even surprise character greetings to keep morale high.
- You may be asked to stay in your room during peak storm hours—especially at value resorts.
- Cast Members are well-trained in emergency procedures and focus on guest safety and comfort.
What If You Haven’t Traveled Yet?
If your trip hasn’t started and a hurricane warning is issued, you can:
- Cancel or reschedule your reservation without fees (if booked through Disney).
- Contact your airline for flight change options.
- Call your travel insurance provider (if you have one) to recoup third-party losses.
Booking through Disney directly gives you the most flexibility in these situations.
Should You Avoid Hurricane Season?
Not necessarily.
In fact, September is one of the best times to visit Disney World in terms of crowds and pricing. But it’s also the peak of hurricane season in Florida, so if you do travel during this window:
- Book flexible reservations.
- Keep an eye on forecasts via the National Hurricane Center.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance, especially for packages involving airfare, cruises, or third-party add-ons.
Summary of What to Expect
| Situation | What Disney Typically Does |
|---|---|
| Hurricane forecast before arrival | Allows rescheduling/cancellation with no fee (if booked direct) |
| Hurricane forecast during stay | Keeps guests sheltered in resort; closes parks if needed |
| Park closures | Rare, but include 1999, 2004, 2016, 2017, 2022 |
| Refunds/credits | Offered in most cases where trips are interrupted by named storms |
| Communication | Frequent updates via resort staff, in-room TVs, and app notifications |
Yes, sometimes danger lurks behind you (in the form of gale-force winds), and you might find yourself needing a quick rescue from your vacation plans. But don’t worry—Disney has a long history of handling hurricanes with care, flexibility, and even a little magic.
Walt Disney World has proven time and again that it’s more than capable of weathering the storm—literally. While the idea of a hurricane threatening your vacation might seem like a travel disaster, Disney’s infrastructure, emergency planning, and guest-first mentality mean you’re in good hands.
If you’re planning a trip during storm season, you don’t need to dive into a money bin of travel insurance—but it helps to be prepared. Because even when it’s life is like a hurricane here at Disney… it’s still the happiest storm shelter on Earth.