VIDEO: See How Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Prepares for a Hurricane

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

Walt Disney World’s theme parks have only closed unscheduled on 4 occaisions in history, so the announcement today that the parks would be closing early and would remain closed through Friday is still surreal to many of us. With today being such a historic event, I decided to travel to the Magic Kingdom just to see what the atmosphere was like. What I found was a rather odd scenario.

Guests had shown up, more than I would have expected in fact, just to make the most of the little time they had. What was interesting, shocking, and honestly really cool was the number of steps Disney has already taken to prepares the park for the storm. Tarps around construction projects had been taken down, banners around the park removed, and all manner of flags tied up for safety. Here’s a video of many of the preparation taken to keep The magic Kingdom safe during Hurricane Matthew:

Pretty neat, huh?

While Walt Disney World is closed for the next day and a half, be sure to stay tuned to WDWNT.com for the latest developments. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel this evening, please contact us and let us know how it goes! We would love to hear about the experience (but most importantly, stay safe of course).

UPDATE: Walt Disney World Closes Theme Parks Early Today & All-Day Friday for Hurricane Matthew

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

Walt Disney Workd has now announced that all four of its theme parks and other resort areas will close to guests at 5pm tonight.

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In addition, the Walt Disney World Resort will be closed on Friday, October 7th. This is only the 4th time in history the parks have been closed for an entire day.

The Walt Disney World Resort and its theme parks are expected to reopen on October 8th.

Here’s some official information:

Treehouse Villas and Bungalows unavailable:
With severe weather expected over the next few days, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Bungalows will be unavailable beginning Thursday afternoon in an abundance of caution
The safety of our Guests and Cast is always our first priority. Guests staying in these select rooms will be offered alternate accommodations.
Any customary cancellation fees will be waived for early departures
As the Emergency Management Team continues to monitor Hurricane Matthew, the Walt Disney World Resort is taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of our Guests and Cast
Members. Due to potential weather impacts in Central Florida, Walt Disney World Resort will be implementing the following operational changes:

THEME PARKS, WATER PARKS & RESORTS:
The following locations will close at 5:00pm, Thursday, October, 6

  • Magic Kingdom
  • Epcot
  • Hollywood Studios
  • Animal Kingdom
  • Typhoon Lagoon
  • Blizzard Beach (Closed all day)
  • ESPN Wide World of Sports
  • Disney Springs
  • Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf
  • Winter Summerland Miniature Golf

The following locations will be closed Friday, October, 7

  • Magic Kingdom
  • Epcot
  • Hollywood Studios
  • Animal Kingdom
  • Typhoon Lagoon
  • Blizzard Beach
  • ESPN Wide World of Sports
  • Disney Springs
  • Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf
  • Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
  • Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is cancelled for Thursday night. Guests may call 407-566-4985, option 5, to make alternate plans, anytime from 9:00am to 11:00pm EDT
  • Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is closed now through Sunday. This includes all Thursday and Friday performances of Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ
  • The Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Bungalows will be unavailable beginning Thursday afternoon.
  • Spirit of Aloha dinner shows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will be cancelled Thursday and Friday evenings
  • Select spa locations, including La Vida Health Club at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Senses a Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and at Disney’s Saratoga
    Springs Resort, and Ship Shape Massage, Salon and Fitness at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, will be closed beginning Thursday at 12:00pm through Saturday evening.

ENTERTAINMENT, AMENITIES & OTHER OFFERINGS

  • Characters in Flight at Disney Springs is closed now through Sunday.
  • The Baseball Canada game scheduled for Thursday at 1:00pm at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex has been rescheduled for 10:00am the same day.
  • Select weekend events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex have been canceled including the 2016 Disney Cross Country Classic and Baseball Canada’s Friday and Saturday
    games/practices

UPDATE: Additional Disney Hotels Now Under Evacuation

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

The bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Resort and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort are now under evacuation orders by Disney for the safety of guests during Hurricane Matthew. Guests will be given alternate accommodations.

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The decision was just now made, not happening yesterday as some major outlets had implied.

UPDATE: Latest Information on Cancelled Events & More at Disney World Due to Hurricane Matthew

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

The news is rolling in fast, so here is the very latest on how Hurricane Matthew will be affecting Walt Disney World:

  • Blizzard Beach will be closed on both 10/6 and 10/7, Typhoon Lagoon is closed on just the 7th
  • The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show and Hoop De Doo Musical Revue are cancelled on 10/6 and 10/7
  • UPDATE: The 10/6 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been officially cancelled
  • Characters in Flight at Disney Springs is now closed through 10/9
  • Majority of events at ESPN Wide World of Sports over the weekend were cancelled

Park operating hours have not yet been affected, but should they be, the decision will likely not be made until tomorrow.

ON SALE: Make the Movie Ride Great Again and other WDWNT T-Shirts Only $14

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

In case you missed last month’s sale, once again the WDWNT store at TeePublic is having a sale. Our newest design is this awesome new t-shirt celebrating the Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios…

"Make the Movie Ride Great Again" T-Shirt

“Make the Movie Ride Great Again” T-Shirt from WDWNT

In addition to our newest offering, you can actually pick up any of the shirts in our store for just $14.00 each. Even better, every purchase you make helps keep WDWNT.com going and supports all of the great coverage we provide every single day. Gear up with stylish Disney fan apparel while supporting the Worldwide Leader in Disney Parks News? DOES IT GET ANY BETTER? Actually it does, when you get complimented on wearing these amazing shirts at the parks…

The sale ends Friday at midnight EDT, so don’t delay!  Get your WDWNT gear now! And in case you haven’t seen some of our other recent shirts, check out these beauties:

WDW News Today 9th Anniversary Shirt

WDW News Today 9th Anniversary Shirt

California Bears Shirt

California Bears Shirt

Hollywood Studios Hardhats Shirt

Hollywood Studios Hardhats Shirt

Seven Test Track Tribute Shirt

“Seven?!?” Test Track Tribute Shirt

UPDATE: Disney World Staffing “Ride It Out” Cast for Hurricane Matthew

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

Walt Disney World is currently inviting cast members to join the “Ride It Out” crew, a team that would be staffed through the storm to help accommodate guests with anything they might need. These cast members are staffed round-the-clock during storms of this nature.

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This is the first time since the historic 2004 hurricane season that they have staffed this crew. These cast members will help guests stranded at the resort, offering food, drink, entertainment and more to guests.

UPDATE: Evacuation of Fort Wilderness at Disney World Ordered Ahead of Hurricane

WDWNT on October 14, 2016

Disney’s Firt Wilderness Resort and Campground will close at 2:00pm on Thursday as a precautionary measure ahead of Hurricane Matthew. Guests are now being ordered to leave the resort by then, rather than it being simply suggested.

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All RVs are being accommodated in the Cruella Lot of the Magic Kingdom parking area.

Campground guests are being moved to alternate accommodations as previously reported. Disney is providing transportation for all guests to their alternate accommodations if need be.