First Signs of Impact at Disney World as Hurricane Ian Arrives In Orlando

It’s the storm everybody is talking about as anxious Florida residents brace for the life-threatening storm surges, intense winds, and catastrophic flooding that have left two million without power and carnage on the Florida coast.

Hurricane Ian is now weakening as it moves inland and has been downgraded to a Category One storm after thrashing Fort Myers as an almost Category 5 hurricane yesterday. Current wind speeds are peaking at 90 mph.

Theme parks across Central Florida and Tampa – including Walt Disney World. Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens – remain closed due to the storm’s predicted path. The Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks – Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom –  and two water parks will be closed Thursday, September 29 after shutting down yesterday, September 28.

And now, with Ian approaching Orlando, the first signs of the hurricane and its damage are coming in from those hunkering down at Disney World.

The National Weather Service tonight issued a Flash Flood Warning that is still in effect as of 4:30 am on Thursday, September 29 in Western Orange County, Northwestern Osceola County, and West Central Seminole County in East Central Florida. Locations that will experience flash flooding include Orlando, Kissimmee, Apopka, Altamonte Springs, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Windermere, Bay Lake, Oak Ridge, Pine Hills, Celebration, Lockhart, Intercession City, Four Corners, Oakland, Bay Hill, Doctor Phillips, and Horizon West. Disney’s Reedy Creek is in the midst of this Flash Flood Warning.

This Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 6:30 am ET currently. The warning from the National Weather Service reads:

* At 324 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain falling across the warned area. Between 4 and 7 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts possible, in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. 

HAZARD…Life-threatening flash flooding. Heavy rain producing flash flooding.
SOURCE…Radar and automated gauges.
IMPACT…Life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

There is also a risk of tornadoes in the cities of Orlando, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, and West Palm Beach.

With Hurricane Ian gearing towards Central Florida, Walt Disney World Resort hotel check-in closed at 3 pm yesterday, September 28, with many Guests being advised to stay in their Resort Hotel rooms after 9 pm last night. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort are temporarily closed from Wednesday, September 28 through Friday, September 30 due to the weather.

With decreased staffing and amenities, Guests have been offered boxed lunches and limited buffets as they hunker down at Disney Resorts. Extra activities such as trivia, games, and crafts have been organized at the Resorts, with Cast Members offering schedules similar to those found on Disney Cruise Line. Characters such as Goofy, Donald, Chip, and Dale have also been seen watching movies and playing at the arcade with Guests as they sit out the hurricane.

With Hurricane Ian making its way northeast towards the Atlantic, we’re getting the first glimpses of how the Walt Disney World Resort is being affected by the major storm. Flooding has been reported at Disney’s Riviera Resort, while at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort, one Guest (@JaiHwakFly) posted a video of the intense rain and wind as the Resort itself flooded overnight:

This flooding is actually picking up in Orlando. #HurricaneIan pic.twitter.com/YJbIBxu9DW

— JAiHAWKFLY℠ (@JAiHAWKFLY) September 29, 2022

Other Guests have reported strong winds blowing through the Resorts, with Cast Members reportedly putting down towels along door entryways of Resort lobbies as a preventative measure. In Kissimmee, police and fire crews announced at 3 am that they were no longer responding to calls as sustained winds have reached 45 mph. In Downtown Orlando, street signs have blown over, and an ambulance was trapped in standing water on Silver Ct.

The most damage seen at the Walt Disney World Resort was caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Hurricane Irma hit the Disney World area as a Category 2 hurricane with a minimum sustained wind of 96mph. The most severe damage during Hurricane Irma was the reported explosion of a transformer outside of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, with trees falling, some localized flooding, and roof damage.

We will keep you updated on Hurricane Ian and its impact as it steers towards the Atlantic as we think of those affected. Please, stay safe!