By Juliana OctaviniUpdated on 26/09/2024 at 17h
The Atlantic hurricane season always arouses concern among tourists planning to visit Florida, especially Orlando, one of the most popular regions of the state.
Recently, Hurricane Helene has drawn attention from authorities because it has intensified as it approaches Florida.
This last Wednesday (September 24, 2024), what was a storm, became a Category 3 hurricane.
Remember below the post we did about hurricanes in Florida:
What do you do?
With the warning, many tourists end up wondering how it can affect their vacation during this period. So, in this post, I wanted to bring you some information you should know about Hurricane Helene and also what opens what closes during these next few days in Orlando.
What's known about Hurricane Helene?
Tropical Storm Helene gained strength and became a Category 3 hurricane, according to the U.S. Hurricane Center (NHC).
Like many hurricanes, it follows an uncertain path and is therefore constantly monitored by American authorities. However, it is important to note that Orlando, because it is located in central Florida, is usually less affected by hurricanes than coastal areas.
Helene, so far, has shown a trajectory that can bring intense rains and strong winds, but without a direct threat of passing through the city center.
According to the NHC, Orlando must have storms a little stronger on Thursday, September 26, 2024 (when the hurricane should pass through the Florida region), and more mild on Friday, September 27, 2024, slowing down over the days.
Programming of the parks during the passage of Hurricane Helene
It is important to know that Orlando's theme parks have strict protocols to ensure the safety of all their visitors and work with the authorities to avoid any incident. So in cases of strong storms or weather alerts, they can temporarily close.
But don't worry if your visit to the parks needs to be delayed. They have specific policies for dealing with hurricanes that may include rescheduling the date or even reimbursement.
Walt Disney World
Disney announced that will keep its parks running normally on September 26th and 27th, except for Typhoon Lagoon that will remain closed on Thursday, the 26th.
Magic Kingdom will close early on September 26th: 8:00.
The Halloween party already Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party It was canceled on the night of the 26th due to the storm forecast.
Disney hurricane policy:
If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center to the Orlando area - or to your place of residence - within 7 days of the expected arrival date, you can reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort hotel packages and most room-only reservations (reserved directly with Disney) without any cancellation or alteration fee imposed by Disney. Most only room and holiday packages can be modified or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates.
If you have products and services provided by third party suppliers included in your holiday, such as air transport, hotels, car rental companies or travel insurance companies, you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments as well as cancellation or alteration fees charged by these suppliers. Policy does not apply to certain special events or gastronomic experiences.
This policy also applies to Disney's Vero Beach Resort in case a hurricane warning is issued to those destinations.
For more information on Walt Disney policy, click here.
Universal Resorts Orlando
Universal released a statement that will keep its parks open on 26 and 27 September 2024But they will remain monitoring and monitoring the weather conditions.
Your two parks will close on your regular schedule on September 26, being:
- Universal Studios: at 5pm
- Island of Adventure: at 20 h
Only Volcano Bay must keep his doors closed on Thursday due to bad weather.
CityWalk will close early on September 26th at 8:00. The hotels of the Universal complex continue to operate normally so far.
The Halloween party Halloween Horror Nights has been canceled On September 26th.
Universal hurricane policies:
If a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center or a state of emergency is declared to the Orlando area or your place of residence within seven days of your arrival, you can contact our team in advance to reschedule or cancel your Universal Parks & Resorts Holiday Package, accommodation only in hotel rooms and tickets to Universal theme parks Orlando booked directly with Universal Orlando. without any cancellation or change fee imposed.
If you have purchased airline tickets as part of your Universal Parks and Resorts Vacations package, you may still be subject to cancellation and change fees charged by these airlines. If you bought Universal products and services Orlando through outsourced suppliers, travel agents or tour operators, contact them directly to obtain information about your policies and cancellation or change procedures.
The policy does not apply to certain special events, gastronomic experiences or group-related reservations.
For more information on Universal Orlando's harsh climate policy, click here.
SeaWorld Orlando
So far, the SeaWorld announced that the park will close at 2:00 p.m. on September 26 and intends to reopen normally on the 27th.
But he recently changed his policy of bad weather to ensure a better experience for visitors.
SeaWorld Time Guarantee Policy:
If the extreme weather affects your experience in the park or affects your flight plans for a next visit, SeaWorld will invite you back within 12 months - at no extra cost for entry into the park.
Policy applies throughout the year, covering weather events for all seasons, including rain, lightning, wind, snow, hail and much more. The expanded policy also covers extreme heat.
Click here for more information on SeaWorld's bad weather policy.
Legoland Florida
Legoland too. will keep your park operations running normally So far.
Legoland hurricane policy:
If the National Hurricane Center issues a tropical or hurricane storm warning to the Central Florida area - or your place of residence - within seven days of the scheduled arrival date, you can reschedule or cancel your visit to the Legoland Florida Resort without any penalties or fees imposed by Legoland and/or Merlin Entertainments.
This policy applies only to tickets to the Legoland Florida Theme Park, tickets to the Legoland Water Park, tickets to the Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida and reservations from the Legoland Pirate Island Hotel, Legoland Hotel or Legoland Beach Retreat made directly with the Legoland Florida Resort or Legoland Vacations, as well as reservations and packages of partner hotels reserved through the Legoland Vacations.
For more information on the Legoland Florida hurricane policy, click here.
Busch Gardens
To ensure the safety of its visitors, employees and also its animals, Busch Gardens resolved close your doors on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
In addition, they will have a team of animal care specialists, including veterinarians, who will remain on site 24 hours a day, monitoring the animals so that they are safely housed in buildings designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes. Once weather conditions improve, the team will ensure that they return to their park habitats.
Busch Gardens' bad weather policy:
Busch Gardens belongs to the same SeaWorld group and therefore have the same bad weather policy as SeaWorld. See more information click here.
Kennedy Space Center
The company announced that it will be closed on September 26 and intends to reopen its doors to the public on the 27th.
Aquatica
Aquatica Park also reported that it will close its doors on September 26, 2024 and intends to reopen on Friday, September 27, usually.
Central Florida Zoo
The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens announced that it will keep its doors closed to the public on September 26, Thursday, and should reopen on the 27th, from noon.
Important tips:
- What? Follow hurricane updates through the official website of U.S. Hurricane Center (NHC), which is the official body that monitors, monitors and fires alerts to the population.
- What? Also follow the social networks and sites of the parks we mentioned above so that you stay within the updates on your operating hours.
- Stay tuned for flight schedules, as many may suffer delays or cancellations due to bad weather. See if your flight will be affected.
- What? In case of intense rains and winds, some outdoor attractions can be impacted, such as water parks and excursions around Orlando. However, the city offers several indoor entertainment options such as shopping malls, cinemas, and cultural activities that can be alternatives to bad weather days.
Check out below the post we did with several attractions you can do in Orlando on rainy days:
WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY OF SHUT?
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the trajectory of hurricanes, Orlando can be safely and flexibly taken advantage of. Hurricane Helene is still being monitored, and so far the impacts on the city may be lighter than in coastal regions.
However, it is important to remain alert and ready to adjust your plans if necessary. With good planning, you can continue to enjoy Orlando’s magic, even in the midst of adverse weather conditions.
