AceShowbiz - Walt Disney World will temporarily close its doors in response to Hurricane Milton, marking a rare shutdown for the Orlando-based theme park. In a statement released Tuesday, Disney announced, "On Wednesday, October 9, our theme parks and Disney Springs will be closed in phases beginning at 1:00 P.M." Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom will close at 1 P.M., followed by the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney Springs at 2 P.M. The parks will likely remain closed through Thursday, October 10.

This closure, which includes the cancellation of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, underscores the park's commitment to guest and cast member safety. Disney also announced that it would pause new hotel reservations and refund event tickets accordingly.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Milton, downgraded to Category 4, still poses a significant threat with sustained winds reaching up to 160 mph. Expected to hit Florida's Gulf Coast, specifically near the Tampa Bay area, Milton has been branded an "extremely dangerous" storm by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned, "Milton is still a relatively compact hurricane, but the wind field is expected to continue to grow in size as it approaches Florida."

Disney's comprehensive safety measures include a "ride-out crew" of cast members who stay onsite to ensure guest safety and maintain operations during the storm. As a safety measure, exterior doors will be zip-tied shut, and guests will be asked to remain in their rooms once the hurricane starts to approach. Mindy, a blogger for This Fairytale Life, recalled her experience during Hurricane Irma, noting that Disney's precautions extended to providing locked-down environments to keep guests out of harm's way.

Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando have also announced closures. Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk will close at 2 P.M. on Wednesday, October 9, and remain closed on Thursday. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay made an early call, announcing closures for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

The safety of park visitors isn't the only concern. Local residents, including Serena Williams' family, are bracing for impact. Richard Williams, Serena's father, has taken extensive precautions to secure his home in West Palm Beach. "We're battening everything down," said his son, Chavoita LeSane. "We are prepared."

President Joe Biden has sent out a stark warning about Hurricane Milton, labeling it potentially "the worst storm to hit Florida in over a century." Evacuation orders are being closely followed, with six million people already under hurricane watch.

Through these measures, Disney and other Florida attractions are doing their utmost to ensure the safety and security of all, while allowing guests to ride out the storm in one of the safest environments available.