Several Orlando Theme Parks to Remain Closed Through September 30

in Theme Parks

SeaWorld Orlando aerial view

Credit: SeaWorld

As Tropical Storm Ian continues its path through Florida, several Orlando theme parks will remain closed through September 30.

Each theme park in Orlando and surrounding areas continues to monitor weather conditions to make the best decisions, keeping in mind the safety of their Guests and associates. While some assess the damages and needs for a phased reopening, a group of theme parks in Orlando has decided to extend their closure through Friday, September 30.

rain at disney world
Credit: Disney

Related: Disney World to Begin ‘Phased Approach’ to Reopening, Operating Hours Unknown

As shared by theme parks and entertainment reporter Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1), SeaWorld Orlando has decided to remain closed through September 30, ensuring that all animals and employees are safe and unharmed after the initial strike of the now tropical storm. The statement added that once safe to do so, crews would begin removing fallen branches and other debris from the Park grounds. This extended closure will include Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove.

UPDATE: SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove will remain closed on Friday (Sept. 30).

SeaWorld says all animals and employees are safe and unharmed.

“Once safe to do so, our crews will begin removing fallen branches and other landscape debris from park grounds now.”

In addition, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island will remain closed, as the theme parks are owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.

Per SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s website:

Important Hurricane Ian Updates

Due to Hurricane Ian, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Adventure Island, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Discovery Cove parks will remain closed through Friday, September 30. The parks plan to reopen on Saturday, October 1.

Discovery Cove will reschedule or refund reservations booked online or from the call center. We will not apply any cancellation or change fees for this service. For any additional information, call 407-513-4600. If you have a reservation booked through a third-party reseller, we are happy to rebook your visit date, however, if requesting a refund, you will need to work through your reseller partner.

Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream tickets for September 30 have been extended through October 31. 

All date-intended tickets for September 27 (at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay), 28, 29 and 30 (all parks listed above) have been extended through December 31.

Annual Pass Members’ guest tickets with an expiration date of September 30 and October 2 have been extended through October 16.

SeaWorld Orlando
Credit: SeaWorld

While we hope that weather conditions improve in the following days, allowing rescue and restoration tasks to be carried out across Orlando and all the areas affected by Ian, which battered Florida as nearly a Category 5 hurricane, we will have to wait for an official confirmation from SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment to learn if the Orlando and Florida area theme parks will indeed resume operations on October 1.

Orlando theme parks continue to show the damage caused by Tropical Storm Ian, from Walt Disney World Resort flooding with over a foot of rain and the Contemporary Resort receiving damage to Universal Orlando dealing with severe flooding that has put one of the Park’s most iconic attractions underwater.

Inside the Magic will continue to update you on the development of Tropical Storm Ian and how it continues to affect Florida, SeaWorld, and the different Orlando theme parks.

in Theme Parks

Comments Off on Several Orlando Theme Parks to Remain Closed Through September 30