Disney Park Operations Suspended: Upcoming Guests Slapped With Warning

One Disney theme park has been hit by a major warning today, suspending ride operations en masse.

Since its opening in 1955, Disneyland Resort—and the additional Disney parks that have since opened worldwide—has experienced very few unplanned closures. The most notable of these were the extensive COVID-related shutdowns in 2020, with some international parks also closing in 2021 and 2022.

An entrance sign to walt disney world, featuring a large blue banner with the park's name in stylized white lettering, flanked by flags, under a clear blue sky with fluffy clouds. — Credit: Ussamam, Flickr

During the global COVID-19 pandemic, Shanghai Disneyland was the first to close its doors, leading to subsequent closures at Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney World Resort, and Disneyland Resort.

Previously, Disney parks have closed due to significant events, including national tragedies such as 9/11 and the assassination of President Kennedy.

Natural disasters have also caused closures; for instance, the 6.7 magnitude Northridge earthquake led to Disneyland’s closure on January 17, 1994, and the devastating 9.1 Tōhoku earthquake, which resulted in over 19,000 fatalities and tsunamis, forced Tokyo Disney Resort to suspend operations for a month in 2011.

Fantasyland at Tokyo Disneyland at Tokyo Disney Resort — Credit: Disney

Unplanned closures at Disney Parks are most frequently caused by hurricanes, with Florida being especially susceptible. Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom have all faced shutdowns due to hurricanes such as Charley, Matthew, Ian, and Nicole.

The most significant event occurred in 2017 when Hurricane Irma struck Central Florida, leading to the longest hurricane-related closure in Disney Park history.

Most recently, the resort (plus Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando) braved Hurricane Debby, which may not have closed the parks but did still inflict some damage.

Inclement Weather Hits Disney Park This Week

A group of four friends stands in front of a castle at a theme park. They are smiling and holding themed souvenirs, snacks, and balloons. Two of them wear headbands with cute characters, adding to the festive atmosphere. The sky is clear and sunny. — Credit: Hong Kong Disneyland

Another resort is facing potential damage this week due to an incoming storm. Today, a typhoon alert has been issued for the area covering Hong Kong Disneyland. Typhoon Yagi is currently approaching Hong Kong, and while it hasn’t closed the park, the high winds have shuttered outdoor attractions.

As per a notice on the Hong Kong Disneyland website, rides such as Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs (the newest roller coaster in the park’s World of Frozen area), RC Racer, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant have been temporarily closed for safety reasons.

Strong Wind Signal No. 3 has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory. The Park remains open with outdoor attractions suspended. For latest show times and attraction availability, please check our official mobile app or approach our cast members. Please see Weather Arrangement details.

Wandering Oaken's ride exterior — Credit: Inside the Magic

Hong Kong Disneyland is now closed for the day. As the typhoon continues in the coming days, Hong Kong Disneyland plans to remain open. However, as the Hong Kong Disneyland website warns, outdoor rides will likely continue to experience disrupted operations.

According to the South China Morning Post, Strong Wind Signal No. 3 is expected to remain in effect in Hong Kong until at least 12 p.m. HKT on Thursday (September 4).

The past few years have been huge for Hong Kong Disneyland, with the park narrowing its losses after years of financial struggles. This is helped in part by the opening of World of Frozen, plus the addition of Stark Expo to Tomorrowland.

As was announced by Josh D’Amaro, Chairperson of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, at D23, the latter is set to receive a new Avengers attraction in the near future, using a similar ride mechanism to the Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney describes the attraction as follows:

To ensure a better and brighter future for all mankind and the world, the most brilliant minds from the Avengers are working together and bringing new pavilions to the Stark Expo to showcase their most recent inventions and technologies. Peter Parker (a.k.a Spider-Man), the newest Stark Industries intern, is among one of them and will also be the host to demonstrate the latest breakthrough. Undoubtedly, the presence of Spider-Man will also attract one of the most formidable villains, who wreaks havoc at the scene. Peter will need all the help he can get to protect his brand-new technology while saving guests caught in the middle of the showdown.

Stay tuned for more updates on Hong Kong Disneyland operations.