Residents and tourists alike, warning systems have been sounding off in Florida, indicating the impending arrival of Hurricane Milton, which is expected to unleash its fury in the form of torrential rainfall and powerful gusts of wind.
As a result of this threatening forecast, management for the iconic theme parks in Orlando, Walt Disney World and Universal Studios has taken the necessary precautions by planning for the closure of their facilities to ensure the safety of park guests and employees.
According to statements released by Disney officials, the company plans to initiate the shutdown of its theme parks and entertainment complex, Disney Springs, in phases commencing at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
The decision to extend the closure to the following day remains highly likely. Meanwhile, Universal Studios also announced its intention to close the theme park during the storm, although a specific timeline for the closure was not immediately available.
Visitors who were eagerly anticipating experiencing the iconic wonderlands of Disney and the thrilling attractions of Universal Studios have been left with no choice but to reevaluate their plans amid the uncertainty over the storm's trajectory and intensity.
Guests currently staying at both Disney and Universal’s on-site hotels can expect to receive updates with further instructions and information as it becomes available.
For now, the residents of Florida and tourists alike can only keep their fingers crossed that Hurricane Milton does not exceed the predicted levels of destruction and chaos, sparing as much of the state's infrastructure as possible.