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Credit: Inside the MagicAs Hurricane Milton approached Central Florida last week, Disney faced widespread scrutiny for its decision to keep its parks open amid severe weather. The hurricane, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico and intensified to a Category 3 storm, prompted evacuations and safety warnings across the state. Despite the risk, Walt Disney World allowed guests to continue visiting until midday on October 9, igniting criticism from both visitors and Disney cast members.
Related: Category 4 Hurricane Milton Triggers “Largest Evacuation We Have Ever Seen” Near Disney World
Guests expressed disbelief at the decision to remain open as they faced the impending storm. Many took to social media to voice their frustrations, arguing that it was reckless to keep parks operational during such dangerous conditions. Cast members reported feeling pressure to attend work despite hazardous weather, raising significant concerns about employee safety.
Amidst the escalating tension, Bob Iger posted on Instagram, urging everyone in Hurricane Milton’s path to stay safe and take precautions. His message included sentiments for Floridians dealing with the hurricane, asserting that the company was concerned for their welfare.
Our thoughts are with the people of Florida as Hurricane Milton approaches.
Please take care and stay safe!
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Related: Hurricane Milton Hits Walt Disney World: Brutal Damage Assessed and Cleanup Underway
Social media erupted with comments from users criticizing Iger’s message. Many pointed out that his call for safety contradicted the actions taken by Disney — keeping parks open during a life-threatening storm. A significant number of comments underscored the irony of urging caution while employees were required to work.
hey so idk you could (possibly) not make your cast members come to work when a major hurricane is approaching?? that might be better than just thoughts and prayers…
Critics highlighted the perceived hypocrisy embedded in Iger’s statement. They noted that calling for everyone’s safety felt insincere, especially in light of reports that cast members were still operational when curfews were already issued.
12:15pm on wednesday, the cat. 5 storm is already hitting Florida’s cost and yet CMs are still working, parks are still open. Glad to see money remains more important than employees’ physical and mental wellbeing. Stay consistent Bob
On October 9, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom closed at 1 p.m., while Magic Kingdom and EPCOT followed suit at 2 p.m. The theme parks remained closed the subsequent day, October 10, to allow for assessment and repairs. Local authorities and Disney communicated the cessation of operations through various channels, although criticism over the delayed response lingered.
The storm’s impact led to the cancellation of various events, including Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Disney issued refunds to affected guests, responding to the chaos that Hurricane Milton caused across its parks. The swift action to refund guests was seen as a necessary step in recovering public trust, albeit in response to a challenging situation.
Do you think fans were right to call out Bob Iger? Should Walt Disney World have been closed all day on October 9? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!