Central Florida theme park closures due to Dorian
LAKE MARY, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - As Hurricane Dorian churns in the Atlantic toward Florida, our theme parks are monitoring the storm closely.
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Walt Disney World has announced that its hours of operation have been adjusted for Tuesday, Sept. 3, due to possible impacts from Hurricane Dorian, as it approaches the Central Florida coast. Most of the resort's parks and attractions will be closing early, anywhere between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Learn more and see specific park hours here
According to Disney, Magic Kingdom and Epcot will close at 3 p.m. Tuesday. Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom will close at 2 p.m.
The full list of hours includes:
- Magic Kingdom: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Epcot: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Hollywood Studios: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Animal Kingdom: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Disney Springs: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- ESPN Wide World of Sports: Closed
- Blizzard Beach Water Park: Closed
- Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: Closed
- Winter Summerland mini golf: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Fantasia Gardens mini golf: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Disney's hotels are remaining open, except for campgrounds and other exposed areas.
Walt Disney World opened Wednesday with normal operating hours.
LEGOLAND FLORIDA
According to Legoland Florida's website, the theme park and water will be closed Tuesday, September 3, but is expected to reopen Wednesday, depending on Dorian's track.
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
Universal Orlando Resort said that their theme parks and CityWalk will be open according to their regular on Wednesday.
Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure closed at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Universal's Volcano Bay Water was closed all Tuesday. Universal's CityWalk remained open scheduled on Tuesday.
SEAWORLD ORLANDO
SeaWorld Orlando will reopen on Wednesday, September 4 at 11 a.m. Please monitor the SeaWorld website and social media channels for any additional updates that may occur overnight, prior to your arrival.
ICON PARK
The Wheel at ICON Park is closed and will not re-open until it is safe to do so.
Guests should check with individual attractions at ICON Park for specific operating hours.
GATORLAND ORLANDO
Gatorland Orlando is open on Tuesday.
"You just never know with these hurricanes, you just got to play it by ear, day-by-day," said Gatorland CEO Mark McHugh. "We opened up today, a little slow to start, people kinda seeing what would come, but they're coming in the park."
The park didn't have its normal full parking lot, but did draw a decent crowd throughout the day. Several visitors commenting that they were just glad to be out of their homes; hunkering down for a storm that slowed, stalled, and to that point produced little disturbance inland.
"Definitely expected to wake up to high winds and dark storms, but clouds and it's beautiful out," said Ryan Norton who brought his kids to get out their pent up energy.
McHugh said after operating in several hurricanes through the years, Gatorland staff have learned their best approach is to simply wait and see, and make day-of calls.
The park does have trainers spending the night with their animals for the duration of the storm to make sure everyone fares well.
So far moving forward, Gatorland has announced they will open for business Wednesday.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Closure visitors will not be permitted onto visitor complex grounds.
HOW YOU CAN PREPARE FOR DORIAN
See what schools are closed HERE.
See active evacuation notices HERE.
Find the nearest emergency shelter HERE.
See the active curfew times HERE.
For the latest on Dorian, visit ORLANDOHURRICANE.com.
You can also monitor the tropics with the Fox 35 Weather App.