Disney World To Be Closed off for a Week: Thousands of Vacations Impacted

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huge crowds at magic kingdom in walt disney world in central florida

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Due to Hurricane Milton ceasing Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Walt Disney World Resort operations for several days, the theme parks will not be available for seven days soon as thousands of guests prepare to reschedule their vacation plans and itineraries.

Your Walt Disney World tickets are still valid, but they might not be valid for the same days anymore, and here’s why.

A digitally altered image of Disney World with a stormy sky in the background. In front, there's a large red stop sign with the word "CANCELLED" written on it.
Credit: Inside The Magic

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Disney World Reopens After Hurricane Milton: No Reservations?

After Hurricane Milton swept through Florida, both Disney World and Orlando International Airport (MCO) were forced to close for several days, impacting thousands of vacations. With the park scheduled to reopen tomorrow, many guests are scrambling to reschedule their trips, resulting in packed theme park reservations for the coming days.

Disney World had remained closed yesterday and today as the resort assessed the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. The storm, which brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to the region, caused disruptions to travel and tourism across Central Florida, particularly affecting visitors to the Orlando area. In response to these challenges, Disney took the necessary safety precautions, shutting down operations until conditions improved.

With the park now open again, it looks like one of the busiest times of the season is on the horizon as people reschedule their trips.

A woman kisses a young child on the cheek while another child smiles and hugs them both. They are all wearing illuminated Mickey Mouse ears, enjoying Disney After Hours at the theme park, with a brightly lit castle in the background.
Credit: Disney

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Disney World Faces Seven-Day Disruption After Hurricane Milton

The effects of Hurricane Milton forced Disney World to close for a total of seven days, including the park closure yesterday and today. MCO also halted flights for several days, leaving many travelers with no choice but to cancel or shift their vacation plans.

In the days leading up to the hurricane, Disney announced it would temporarily close the resort as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of guests and staff. A Disney spokesperson commented, “We understand the disappointment this may have caused our guests.

Our top priority is safety, and we’re working diligently to accommodate everyone affected by this closure as we gear up for reopening.” With guests eager to return, the park’s reopening tomorrow is expected to see a high volume of visitors, many of whom have had to adjust their plans due to the hurricane. As a result, reservations for the theme parks are quickly filling up as travelers try to secure their spot for the reopening.

As Disney prepares to reopen, reservations are being snapped up quickly. The reopening day tomorrow has seen a surge in bookings, with Magic Kingdom and other popular parks already reaching near capacity for those looking to reschedule their visits. And it’s not just tomorrow’s reservations that are filling up. Guests planning to visit Disney World next week are also finding it difficult to secure spots, particularly at Magic Kingdom.

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Credit: Disney

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Mickey’s Halloween Party, Annual Passholders, and Left-Over Reservations

October 16th and 18th are already completely booked for visitors with theme park tickets and hotel stays, leaving some with limited options. However, Annual Passholders still have availability for those dates, providing some flexibility for returning guests. Magic Kingdom’s popularity next week is raising questions, especially since October 18 features Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party — an event that typically leads to higher demand on party days.

The Halloween Party on the 18th means Magic Kingdom will close early to regular guests at 6 p.m. However, no such event is scheduled for October 16, making the spike in bookings for that date somewhat unexpected. While Disney has not provided an official reason for the booking rush on October 16, some speculate it could be due to guests rescheduling their trips post-hurricane, opting for earlier dates as a precaution against further disruptions.

For those who still hope to visit Magic Kingdom on either of these dates, the Park Hopper ticket is an alternative solution. By booking a different park — such as EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom — guests can later hop to Magic Kingdom after they’ve entered their first reserved park.

This option could help visitors navigate the limited availability and still enjoy a day at the park. If you’re planning a visit to Magic Kingdom on October 18, it’s important to remember that the park will close at 6 p.m. to regular day guests for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This seasonal event is a major draw during the fall months, featuring exclusive entertainment, trick-or-treating, and festive activities.

A photo taken from behind statues of a character with round ears and a person holding hands, looking towards buildings adorned with festive decorations and a clock tower in the background at a popular Disney attraction. Crowds of people are visible in the distance.
Credit: Nik Goodner on Unsplash

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Prepare for Post-Hurricane Travel Surges

Only guests with tickets to the Halloween Party will be permitted to remain in the park after 6 p.m. For those visiting on non-party days or earlier in the day, it’s advised to plan accordingly, especially as Magic Kingdom is expected to be busier than usual. The Halloween Party’s popularity often leads to sold-out dates, so guests without a ticket to the event will need to either wrap up their visit early or hop to another park for the evening.

As Disney World opens its gates again tomorrow, the resort is expecting a significant influx of visitors due to rescheduled vacations following the hurricane. The demand for reservations will likely remain high in the coming days as people adjust their plans, making it essential to book as early as possible.

Disney World’s other parks—EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom—still have availability for next week, making them ideal alternatives for those who missed out on Magic Kingdom reservations.

By utilizing the Park Hopper option or being flexible with their plans, guests can still make the most of their Disney experience. For those aiming to visit Disney World next week, especially for popular events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, it’s essential to plan ahead. Be sure to check park hours and availability and make your reservations as soon as possible to avoid any last-minute disappointment.

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