Pause on New Disney Resort Bookings Extended Due to Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian is moving toward Florida as a Category 4 storm with the potential to become a Category 5 storm (with winds up to 155 mph) by the time it makes landfall.

Walt Disney World has already closed all four theme parks, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, and multiple Resorts and recreational experiences ahead of the storm. Along with closing attractions, new bookings for stays at Disney Resorts were paused earlier this week.

 

RELATED: Walt Disney World Closed as Hurricane Ian Nears Category 5

The official Walt Disney World website originally listed Resorts as having no availability on their booking pages through this Friday, September 30, 2022. Guests using the website as of this morning, will now notice that availability is removed from the Resorts through October 1, with the first available arrival date listed as October 2.

While Hurricane Ian should be out of the Orlando Area by then, Disney Resorts are currently being used by a number of different Guests, some of whom may need to extend their stay. As such, extending the availability pause will allow for Guests who are unable to travel home right away to stay longer if they need to, and it will allow Cast Members (who may be short-staffed) extra time to turn around rooms before new Guests arrive.

RELATED: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Show Now Permanently Closed Following Hurricane Ian

Such Cast Members might also be staying at Disney Resorts themselves to work as part of the hurricane ride-out crews, so it is important that they have a place to stay until they are able to safely return home.

If you had a Disney World Resort reservation that has been impacted by Hurricane Ian, the company has waived all regular cancellation policies and timelines during this time, so you are able to modify or cancel your stay as needed. Just remember that if your new arrival date would fall before October 2, bookings will remain unavailable until Disney opens them back up.

We will continue to monitor updates out of Walt Disney World related to Hurricane Ian, and will be back with more information as we have it here on Disney Tips.