Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando will close due to Hurricane Ian

Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando are closing before Hurricane Ian approaches.< /p >

In a statement posted online, Disney said it would close its theme parks and water Walt Disney World parks on Wednesday, September 28 and Thursday, September 29 as the storm approaches Florida. "We are monitoring weather conditions so that we can make timely decisions for the safety of our cast and guests, including when it is safe for cast to return to the venue to prepare for reopening," the company said. company in a statement.

Universal said in its own statement that Universal Orlando Resort, including CityWalk, will also be closing on 1 september. September 28 and 29. Likewise, the Halloween Horror Nights events that were supposed to take place on those nights have been cancelled. "We expect to reopen on September 30 if conditions allow," the statement concludes.

It's rare for either of the two massive theme parks to close, but not without precedent. Disney World recently closed in 2019 due to approaching Hurricane Dorian, while Disney and Universal suspended operations in early 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hurricane Ian was classified as a Category 3 storm when it hit Cuba early Tuesday morning, causing severe damage and flooding. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm produced sustained winds of 180 km/h.

The storm comes just over a week after Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico, where hundreds of thousands of people are still without electricity.

Comments