Walt Disney World announced Friday that they will be closing their parks ahead of Hurricane Irma. While Walt Disney World Resort will be closed both Sunday and Monday, resort hotels will remain open. Other theme parks in the area will also remain closed through Monday.
Disney announced on their website that parks will be closed on Sunday, Sept. 10 and Monday, Sept. 11. Most Saturday night performances, including the Animal Kingdom’s Rivers of Light, Epcot’s Illuminations Reflections of Earth and the Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After fireworks, are also canceled. All parks will be closing early Saturday night, will the latest being open until 9 p.m. This weekend’s special events, including Night of Joy and the fan-favorite Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, were canceled as well. Disney said that they hope to reopen Tuesday, Sept 12 at the earliest.
Time reports that this “will be only the fifth time ever that the resort has closed since Disney World opened in 1971.” Parks were closed last year during Hurricane Matthew and three other times due to hurricanes. Universal Studios, SeaWorld and other local theme parks will also be closed as early as Friday with the hopes of reopening Tuesday.
According to The Weather Channel, Irma “will likely make a direct hit on South Florida this weekend as at least a Category 4 hurricane” and hit central Florida Sunday morning with “tropical storm-force winds.” It has been described by the National Hurricane Center as “a dangerous, major hurricane,” which has virtually destroyed some islands in the Caribbean and killed at least eight people.
See how social media reacted to the closure below:
Social Media Reacts to Walt Disney World Closing Due to Hurricane Irma
No #Irma not Disney World. pic.twitter.com/VVNjP0Mj99
— Sabrina L. (@locklooneytune) September 8, 2017
I was supposed to go this weekend https://t.co/tnlK5RNHgN
— Lauren-Ann (@Lauren_Ann15) September 8, 2017
if Irma touches Disney World…. i'll cry https://t.co/n3f3K63rUB
— angiebear (@ohhitsangie_) September 8, 2017
Does anyone else find it funny how Disneyworld water parks which are named after extreme weather will be closed… due to extreme weather??
— Dj Stores ❤️ (@DjStoresssss) September 8, 2017
"Walt Disney World Parks will be closed for 2 days due to Hurricane Irma"
Florida: pic.twitter.com/U8Jv8Q6XD1
— Scott (@SDress92) September 8, 2017
I know it's so #firstworldproblems but I feel bad for all the people who saved up for years to be able to take their kids and then this… https://t.co/OwytL2DH0A
— Heather (@fraochjean) September 8, 2017
Told ya, when Disney closes it's REAL! https://t.co/VbjD6V6ZnU
— ⚡️Cheryl Hagan⚡️ (@tiggrmommi) September 8, 2017
— M I C H E L L E (@MichelleKClarke) September 8, 2017
You know it's serious when WDW is closing their doors for only the 5th time EVER.#HurricaneIrma https://t.co/Tp1W5Rf9PK
— Lauren (@AmbitiousStitch) September 8, 2017
How do you feel about Walt Disney World closing for Hurricane Irma? Did you have any plans to visit? Sound off in the comments section below!