Hurricane Irma: Theme park closures, cancellation policies

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — As powerful Hurricane Irma made landfall in parts of the Caribbean, Central Florida attractions may take precautions as the storm may impact Florida. Below are the cancellation policies for the region’s theme parks.

Disney World

Walt Disney World theme parks, Disney Springs, water parks, and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex are making the following operational changes:

Disney’s Blizzard Beach: Closed Friday through Monday

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon: Closing at 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday

ESPN Wide World of Sports: Closed Saturday through Monday

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Closing at 7 PM through Monday

The Saturday, 9/9 Rivers of Light performance is canceled.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Closing at 7 p.m. Saturday through Monday

The Saturday, Fantasmic! and Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular performances are canceled.

Epcot: Closing at 9 p.m. Saturday through Monday

The Saturday, Illuminations Reflections of Earth performance is canceled.

Magic Kingdom: Closing at 9 p.m. Saturday through Monday

The Saturday, Happily Ever After fireworks performance is canceled.

Disney Springs: Closing at 9 pm. Saturday through Monday

Park officials said if a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area within seven days of a guest’s arrival day, the guest may call in advance to reschedule or cancel.

The park said a Walt Disney Travel Company Magic Your Way package and most room-only reservations can be canceled or rescheduled without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.

“If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation—such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies or vacation insurance companies—you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers,” the park officials said in a press release. “The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences.”

Universal Studios

UPDATE: Universal Studios will close at 7 p.m. on Saturday and Rock the Universe has been cancelled. The park will remain closed through Monday.

Policy: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are operating under normal hours, for now. The parks closed for Hurricane Matthew last year.

Its weather policy states, “If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area or for your place of residence no more than seven days before your scheduled arrival date, you can call in advance to cancel or reschedule your Universal Parks and Resorts Vacations hotel accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets without any cancellation or change fees imposed.”

SeaWorld

UPDATE: SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay are closing at 5 p.m. Saturday due to the storm. Both parks will remain closed Sunday and Monday.

Aquatica Orlando and Adventure Island will be closed Saturday through Monday. Discovery Cove will be closed Sunday and Monday,

Policy: SeaWorld goes by a "peace of mind" policy for natural disasters. The policy stated that if a hurricane approaches the area, the park will reschedule or refund any vacation package or individual tickets.

There are no cancellation fees for changes due to hurricanes.

Legoland

UPDATE: Legoland Florida will be closed Saturday through Monday.

Policy: Anyone who has purchased Flexible Cancellation may change or cancel their reservation by 4 p.m. five days before their arrival date for a refund.

No cancellations or modifications are allowed within five days of arrival.

Tickets and extras are non-refundable once issued, but may be used up to one year from the original reservation date.

Old Town

Old Town will close Saturday at 9 p.m. and remain closed through Monday.

Cox Media Group