Eye on the Tropics

Hurricane Ian: When will Orlando’s theme parks & attractions reopen?

Rock the Universe 2022 File photo (KEVIN KOLCZYNSKI; KEVIN KOLCZYNSKI/Universal Orlando Resort)

ORLANDO, Fla. — Multiple theme park companies have announced that they will be reopening between Friday and Saturday after Hurricane Ian hit central Florida.

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The hurricane has left many counties with major amounts of flooding and wind damage. City and county officials have said that they are working hard to clean up the debris that this tropical storm left behind.

You can look below to see what theme parks will be reopening on Friday and which ones will keep their doors shut, at least until Saturday.

Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World theme parks will open Friday at the following times:

  • Magic Kingdom opens at 10 a.m., with the sold-out Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party being offered as scheduled.
  • EPCOT opens at 11 a.m.
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens at noon
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom opens at 1 p.m.

Disney Resort guests will be able to enter theme parks early, with early entry set for 8 a.m. at Magic Kingdom, 9 a.m. at EPCOT, 10 a.m. at Hollywood Studios and 11 a.m. at Animal Kingdom.

Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf reopens at 3 p.m. Friday, and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex opens from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for scheduled events.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is set to reopen Sunday.

Disney Springs reopens at 10 a.m. Friday. The Drawn to Life performance for 5:30 p.m. Friday has been rescheduled to 8 p.m.

Read more reopening information here.

Watch: Drone video shows extensive flooding around large hospital in Kissimmee

The company announced it will “continue to closely monitor weather conditions as we assess the impact of Hurricane Ian on our property.” Its statement also said, “While theme parks and many operating areas remain closed to guests today, we anticipate weather conditions to improve this evening.”

Universal Orlando Resort

In a statement just released, the company said they will be “conducting assessments and recovery efforts across their areas.”

They expect to begin a phased reopening of portions of their parks, including CityWalk, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios for our hotel guests only beginning Friday, Sept. 30.

Seaworld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando, with its theme parks Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove, will remain closed through Friday, Sept. 30. The parks expect to reopen on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Watch: Florida’s Turnpike shut down in Orange County due to ‘significant flooding’ from Ian, troopers say

All tickets for Sept. 28, 29 and 30 have been extended for use through Dec. 31.

Annual Pass Members’ guest tickets with an expiration date of Sept. 30 and Oct. 2 have been extended through Oct. 16.

Legoland Theme Parks

Legoland will be closed on Friday, Sept. 30. This closure includes LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park, LEGOLAND Water Park and the Peppa Pig Theme Park.

Any tickets dated for Wednesday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Oct. 2 will be automatically extended through Dec. 31, 2022.


Read: Hurricane Ian: Curfews to take effect in some Central Florida counties

Kennedy Space Center

According to their website, The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will remain closed through Friday, Sept. 30 but will reopen on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Those with existing reservations through Sept. 30 will be automatically refunded.

Watch: Orange County nursing home evacuated due to rising flood waters

Crayola Experience

Although the company has yet to put out a statement, they have posted on their website that they will be open on Friday, Sept. 30.

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