Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law | October 8, 2024 | Orlando Personal Injury Blog
Hurricane Milton intensified in strength to a Category 5 hurricane, but wind speeds slowed to a Category 3 before landfall in Florida. Many theme parks in Orlando initiated theme park safety protocols in advance of Hurricane Milton.
Walt Disney World Theme Park Closures
Walt Disney World announced it would close all theme parks on October 9, 2024, in anticipation of the hurricane. The parks remained closed through October 10, 2024.
The Treehouse Villas and Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground remained closed until October 13, 2024. Some hotels and resorts at Disney World remained open, including the hotel restaurants.
Preparations for Hurricane Milton in Orlando, FL
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer declared a State of Emergency for Orlando, FL, in anticipation of Hurricane Milton. The city began storm preparations, including providing sandbags to residents, lowering lakes, and increasing services to homeless shelters.
The impact of Hurricane Milton in Orlando, FL, was not as devastating as it was for coastal cities. Orlando began storm recovery as soon as the hurricane passed. Crews have been working to remove debris throughout the city. Garbage and recycling collection have already resumed regular schedules.
Orlando issued a lake alert for all City lakes, which has now been lifted. In anticipation of the storm, the city asked residents to limit water usage after Hurricane Milton passed through the area. This limit has been lifted as well.
Effects of Hurricanes on Local Tourism and Economy
Hurricanes can cause severe damage. Even cities and towns in the middle of the state can sustain damage. Florida relies heavily on tourism revenue. When a hurricane is in the forecast, travelers often cancel plans and seek refunds.
Catastrophic damage may prevent tourists from visiting parts of the state for weeks or months after a hurricane. Local businesses may experience significant income loss. Depending on the circumstances, some businesses may not recover.
Larger companies are better prepared to absorb losses from hurricanes. It is projected that Disney World could lose up to $150 million because of Hurricane Milton. Park attendance is expected to decline by about 6% for the quarter.
Disney’s History With Hurricanes
Walt Disney World theme park closures do not happen often. There were six Walt Disney theme park closures for hurricanes in the past ten years. The hurricanes that have forced Disney to close over the last decade are:
- Hurricane Milton – October 9 through October 10, 2024
- Hurricane Nicole – November 9 through mid-day November 10, 2022
- Hurricane Ian – September 28 through 29, 2022
- Hurricane Dorian – Closed early on September 3, 2019
- Hurricane Irma – Closed early on September 9, 2017, and remained closed on September 10 – 11, 2017
- Hurricane Matthew – Closed early on October 6, 2016, and remained closed on October 7, 2016
The parks closed early on September 11, 2021, in light of the attack on The World Trade Center and other targets. The longest Walt Disney World Theme Park closures occurred in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. They closed on March 15, 2020, and remained closed for several months.
Theme Park Safety Protocols During Hurricanes
Theme parks have procedures and protocols for severe weather. The theme park safety protocols during hurricanes may differ for the various theme parks in Orlando, FL. Walt Disney World monitors hurricanes and severe weather closely to determine what actions it should take to protect park guests and employees.
In addition to guests from out-of-town, many Floridians book rooms at Walt Disney World even when a hurricane warning has been issued. Disney reports that its structures are built to withstand severe weather, including hurricanes. Therefore, many people choose to ride out hurricanes at one of Disney’s hotels or resorts.
Disney World also has its own generators and power source. Power lines are underground, which decreases power outages.
You can find information regarding Disney’s hurricane policy on their website.
If you have questions about an accident or injury at Disney World, call an Orlando personal injury lawyer for a free consultation today.
Contact an Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer from Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law for Help Today
For more information, please contact Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law to schedule a free consultation. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Orlando, Palm Bay, Melbourne, Cocoa, and Titusville.
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Orlando, FL Office
633 E Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32803
Phone: (407) 801-3000
Hours: Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Orlando, FL.
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 28.5534238,-81.3692001
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Palm Bay, FL Office
4620 Lipscomb Street N.E Suite #3K
Palm Bay, FL 32905
Phone: (321) 677-5964
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Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 28.039083,-80.6083109
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Melbourne, FL Office
1600 W Eau Gallie Blvd #205j
Melbourne, FL 32935
Phone: (321) 450-7134
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Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 28.1289147,-80.6461588
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Cocoa, FL Office
717 S Cocoa Blvd STE 203
Cocoa, FL 32922
(321) 449-8042
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Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Cocoa, FL.
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 28.3511613,-80.7312948
Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law – Titusville, FL Office
4527 S Hopkins Ave Suite B
Titusville, FL 32780
Phone: (407) 801-3000
Hours: Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Titusville, FL.
Find us with our GeoCoordinates:28.5584923,-80.8010051
