Orlando Theme Parks Walt Disney World & Universal Studios Close Early Due to Tropical Storm, Reopening Delayed

Theme parks in Orlando, Fla., were essentially forced to close once again due to inclement weather.

Tropical Storm Nicole is making it’s way to the state and is set to make landfall on Wednesday night (November 9). The storm is also forecast to become a hurricane.

Both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando prepped for the incoming storm by closing some of their attractions ahead of time, with both resort parks closing early on Wednesday.

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WDW announced, “Walt Disney World Resort theme parks will have a phased closure today, Nov. 9, beginning at 5 p.m. and will remain closed through tomorrow morning, Nov. 10. Theme parks will likely not reopen at their regularly scheduled time tomorrow, Nov. 10.”

Universal shared a similar message, “Due to Tropical Storm Nicole, Universal’s Volcano Bay is currently closed and Universal Orlando Resort, including CityWalk, will close early on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 5 p.m.”

They added, “We anticipate a phased and delayed reopening on Thursday, Nov. 10 and will update once we assess conditions.”

According to the local Orlando Sentinel, Nicole is set to form into a Category 1 hurricane Wednesday.

“We’re expecting the storm to go on and become a hurricane later today or tonight and make landfall as a hurricane along the east-central Florida coast somewhere in the vicinity from Palm Beach up to the Treasure Coast late tonight or early Thursday,” acting NHC (National Hurricane Center) Deputy Director Michael Brennan said in a statement.

This comes just less than two months since the Orlando theme parks were forced to close because of Hurricane Ian. They were closed for two days, with phased reopenings on the third day.

Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando will need to assess the water levels and potential damage before they reopen.

ICYMI: Universal Studios recently announced that a handful of attractions will permanently close in January.

WDW has also recently announced increased ticket pricing…