Disney World in Orlando Florida Announces Closures due to Hurricane Irma

Update: This from Disney World, 9/10/2017, 7 pm PST:

All: We have seen some recent coverage online from your media outlet that incorrectly states that we have not announced any closures. Here is what we shared yesterday afternoon. It would be great if you could please update your information.

Based on the latest forecasts for Hurricane Irma and keeping safety top of mind, Walt Disney World Resort will be closed on Sunday,9/10 and Monday, 9/11. Resort hotels will remain open. We hope to resume normal operations on Tuesday, September 12. We will provide regular updates to our guests on all operational changes. See below for specific operational changes:

·Disney’s Blizzard Beach: Closed as of Friday, 9/8 – Monday,9/11

·Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon: Closing early on Saturday 9/9 at 5 PM – Monday, 9/11

·ESPN Wide World of Sports: Closed on Saturday, 9/9 – Monday, 9/11

·Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Closing early on Saturday, 9/9 at 7 PM – Monday, 9/11

o The Saturday, 9/9 Rivers of Light performance is canceled.

·Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Closing early on Saturday, 9/9 at 7 PM – Monday,9/11

o The Saturday, 9/9 Fantasmic! and Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular performances are canceled.

·Epcot: Closing early on Saturday, 9/9 at 9 PM – Monday, 9/11

o The Saturday, 9/9 Illuminations Reflections of Earth performance is canceled.

·Magic Kingdom: Closing early on Saturday, 9/9 at 9 PM – Monday, 9/11

o The Saturday, 9/9 Happily Ever After fireworks performance is canceled.

·Disney Springs: Closing early on Saturday, 9/9 at 9 PM – Monday, 9/11

Please check the Walt Disney World Resort website for updates: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com

Andrea M. Finger, Communications , Walt Disney World Resort

Original story: With Hurricane Irma making a bee-line to Central Florida, some are wondering if Disney World will be there after the Hurricane's expected weekend landfall.

There is a legend that Cinderella's castle can be taken down during a storm. In fact, the 184 foot tall structure was not designed to be taken apart in the event of a hurricane. Instead, Disney had the castle built to withstand the 115 mile winds of a category 3 hurricane. Irma will make landfall as a category 5 hurricane, in all probability.

Actual damage to the 50 year old Disney theme park will no doubt occur. Disney is self insured for these losses.

The storm may affect Disney operations in other ways. The storm will also effect Disney cruises. Experts expect a few million dollars of losses in Disney's cruise business.