Disney World in a Hurricane – How Much Damage Has Actually Happened?

Florida residents are bracing for life-threatening storm surges, intense winds, and catastrophic flooding as Hurricane Ian heads towards the state as a Category 4 storm. The major hurricane has already impacted western Cuba and will reach Florida on Wednesday, September 28.

It has been announced that theme parks across Central Florida and Tampa – including Walt Disney World. Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens – are closing due to the storm’s predicted path. The Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks and two water parks will be closed on Wednesday, September 28, and Thursday, September 29.

Disney Springs will be closed on Wednesday with a decision for Thursday to be announced later. Some of the hotels in the Lake Buena Vista Resort will continue to be open to accommodate Guests who are staying during Hurricane Ian. Orlando International Airport (MCO) announced it will also be closed due to the hurricane from 10:30 am Wednesday.

According to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the storm, with winds nearing 155 mph, is “going to do a lot of damage.” Category four storms have winds between 130 to 156 mph, while the fifth level sees winds measuring 157mph or higher.

But with Walt Disney World having closed 8 times previously due to weather, has the Orlando Resort actually seen any serious damage from tropical storms or hurricanes?

Of course, when building Disney World, Imagineers and construction teams were aware of Florida’s likelihood of experiencing intense storms and built theme parks designed to sustain hurricane-force winds and rain. The Cinderella Castle, for example, was built to withstand winds of at least 90 mph, while the whole of Disney World uses its own power grid and has a multitude of generators. Remember the Reedy Creek ruckus with Ron DeSantis earlier this year? Reedy Creek allowed Disney to run like its own government, including wastewater collection and treatment systems, electrical utilities, and recycling collection, as well as its own fire department.

In actual fact, Walt Disney World is considered to be one of the safest places to be in the United States when a hurricane strikes by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In 2009, they certified Disney World with the “Storm Ready” designation, which means the Orlando Resort is prepared to handle any storm that would hit the area.

But that’s not to say that Disney hasn’t experienced some damage in its history of hurricane endurance.

Thankfully, the majority of the damage that Walt Disney World has sustained from hurricanes over the years has been minimal. The most damage seen at the Orlando Resort was caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs, were all closed by 9 pm on September 9 and remained closed for the following two days.

Hurricane Irma hit the Disney World area as a Category 2 hurricane with minimum sustained winds of 96mph. The most severe damage during Hurricane Irma was the reported explosion of a transformer outside of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The following video was posted on Twitter by @BrightSunFilms;

Transformer exploding outside of Disney's Contemporary Resort. #hurricaneimra pic.twitter.com/guinDknnMG

— Bright Sun Films (@BrightSunFilms) September 11, 2017

The night sky appeared to light up due to the explosion at the Contemporary Resort. Some buildings also experienced roofing issues, with siding blown off one of the buildings at Disney’s Beach Club, and roofing damaged at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Some shingles reportedly came off at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and were being sold on eBay!

A structure at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin was also damaged due to Hurricane Irma, as seen in @FiBelleFi’s photo below:

Destroyed 🙁 pic.twitter.com/eBlU7mIWeJ

— Belle (@FiBelleFi) September 11, 2017

During Irma, many trees were blown down, including many by Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom and at Disney’s All Star Movies Resort:

Damage near Cinderella's Castle 🙁 pic.twitter.com/Sg9q5UmETi

— Belle (@FiBelleFi) September 12, 2017

Trees were also reported to be down at Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom, and there was some flooding in EPCOT. A street light was reported to have fallen and some railings were damaged at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter. One of the more serious incidents happened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge when a tree fell on Jambo House, as pictured by @disneyquesting:

@Attractions tree fell into a room at Jambo pic.twitter.com/5YnFuksCbD

— Mercuzio (@disneyquesting) September 11, 2017

 

The four Walt Disney World theme parks reopened on September 12, 2017, but a few Park attractions did not reopen with the Parks. Kilimanjaro Safaris and Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom were closed initially due to cleanup efforts.

Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise sustained some more serious damage and did not reopen until September 21. According to Cast Member reports at the time, the maintenance dock backstage was badly damaged in the storm and boats could no longer get to the track, resulting in repairs.

Other hurricanes have caused minimal damage at Disney World, but thankfully nothing major. During Hurricane Charley in August 2004, the Splash mermaid fountain from Disney’s Hollywood Studios was destroyed. During Hurricane Frances – again, in 2004 –  a backstage structure suffered some minor roof damage. Hurricane Jeanne (also in 2004), damaged The Coral Reef Restaurant in EPCOT and the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure.

During a hurricane, Walt Disney World operates with ride-out crews. These are Cast Members who choose to stay through the hurricane and work extremely long hours to keep Guests entertained and safe. The dining locations at the Resorts operate on a modified schedule with limited menus while the Parks are shut down, typically offering a buffet-style option or Grab ‘N Go meals.

Additional games and activities are often provided (including character meet and greets and movies), but during the hurricane itself, Guests are asked to remain inside their hotel room. In emergency situations, Guests are asked to gather in a large enclosed space within the hotel where there are no windows.

With a multitude of safety procedures, amazing Cast Members, and preventative measures in place at Disney World, as well as the fact that hurricanes tend to weaken as they move over land, Disney has sustained a lot less damage than could have been during its previous encounters with major storms.

Now, we wait to see what Hurricane Ian will bring to Florida. We will ensure to keep Disney Tips readers updated as we learn more about the impact of Hurricane Ian on the Walt Disney World Resort and its surrounding areas. Please stay safe!