Walt Disney World Prepares for Hurricane Helene

Walt Disney World is preparing for severe weather today as Hurricane Helene moves past Central Florida and towards the panhandle. The Category 2 storm is expected to make landfall tonight as a Category 3 or 4 and though it will be far north of the Disney parks, strong winds, rain, and lightning are still expected.

Disney Prepares for Hurricane Helene

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

A covered area with people sitting at tables, some eating and drinking. In the foreground is a large wooden planter with two tall, conical decorations made of dried grass.

The most obvious preparation at the theme parks is currently closed and secured umbrellas.

An ice cream cart with a pink sign labeled "Baridi Baridi" is set up on a path near lush greenery. The cart features ice creams and cones placed on it with an umbrella overhead.

An ice cream cart labeled "BARIDI BARIDI ICE CREAMS" is set up next to a rustic building with a sign reading "VISIT CRAFTS & CULINARY CENTRE." The cart features stuffed animal decorations.

Many outdoor snack kiosks remain open for now.

Outdoor refreshment stand covered, featuring a Coca-Cola advertisement. Two people walking nearby, one wearing a pink shirt and the other a multicolored shirt. Background includes trees and buildings.

A closed kiosk was covered with tarps.

Entrance to Rafiki's Planet Watch with a sign for Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. Signage, a closed umbrella, and two trash bins are visible, surrounded by lush greenery.

When we visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Thursday morning, Rafiki’s Planet Watch was not yet open. It usually opens at 9:30 or 10 a.m., so we don’t think the morning closure was related to the hurricane.

Entrance to Harambe Market with a weathered arch featuring the year 1980. The market appears quiet, with closed umbrellas and scattered seating. Vegetation is visible in the background.

Outdoor café with colorful chairs and tables, some with blue umbrellas. The setting is surrounded by trees and lush greenery, creating a casual and vibrant atmosphere.

Umbrellas throughout Harambe Market were closed up.

Two people stand near a blue umbrella in a tree-lined park area with a large artificial tree visible in the background.

Outdoor Guest Experiences kiosks were still operating, but their umbrellas were closed.

A weathered building with a corrugated metal roof, closed shutters, and a small display of clothes and hats for sale on the left. The sky is overcast, and the ground appears cracked and dry.

Cast Members brought merchandise that is usually displayed outdoors inside and closed some shop doors. Walt Disney World is currently experiencing high winds and rain.

A large red umbrella stands closed on a stone patio overlooking a fenced area with lush greenery and a large tree sculpture in the background.

According to the My Disney Experience app, outdoor attractions like Kali River Rapids and Kilimanjaro Safaris remain open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, although they could close if there is lightning in the area. Wait times are relatively low, with Avatar Flight of Passage at only a 40-minute standby wait. Animal Kingdom is scheduled to close at 6 p.m.

EPCOT

A group of people stand and sit near flagpoles and trees in an outdoor area on a cloudy day, reminiscent of waiting outside an attraction at Walt Disney World.

People walking near flagpoles outside an entrance on a cloudy day at Walt Disney World. Some are wearing ponchos, likely due to the remnants of Hurricane Helene. A large white geodesic dome structure is visible in the background, while trees and bushes line the area.

It’s a similar story at EPCOT. The first signs of preparation for Hurricane Helene were the pavilion logo flags missing from their poles at the park entrance.

Closed umbrellas stand next to a modern building with metal railings, potted plants, and a small green space in the background, reminiscent of tranquil corners found in Walt Disney World.

Outdoor umbrellas were all tied closed.

Three people walk towards glass doors in a building lobby. Two "Caution: Wet Floor" signs are placed on the polished floor, one near the foreground and one near the doors, evoking a scene far from the magic of Walt Disney World.

Though it wasn’t raining just yet this morning while we were there, wet floor cones were already up at some locations.

EPCOT doesn’t have outdoor rides like Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but entertainment like “Celebración Encanto” will likely be canceled. EPCOT is scheduled to close at 9 p.m.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

A rainy day scene at Walt Disney World with wet pavement, closed green umbrellas, and palm trees. A few parked cars and a misty building are visible in the background, reminiscent of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

People walk through a rainy street at what appears to be a theme park, with vintage-themed buildings and a U.S. Mail box in view, reminiscent of Walt Disney World weathering the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

The rain began to come down heavily as we arrived at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where umbrellas were also closed and held down with sandbags. It’s likely that outdoor entertainment like “Fantasmic!” will be canceled. The park is scheduled to close at 9 p.m.

Colorful game booths with closed canopies stand near a red roller coaster track at Walt Disney World, bracing for the rainy day brought on by Hurricane Helene.

In Toy Story Land, outdoor vending carts have been covered and umbrellas are closed.

A theme park area in Walt Disney World with colorful decorations and people wearing rain ponchos. There are umbrellas, tables, and various structures designed to look like oversized toys and holiday lights, reminiscent of a playful refuge from Hurricane Helene.

Outdoor seating area with several empty tables and chairs, surrounded by green trees and bushes reminiscent of Walt Disney World. Closed umbrellas are positioned next to each table. The ground appears wet, likely from rain or a recent brush with the remnants of Hurricane Helene.

Both the seating areas near Woody’s Lunch Box and the additional seating closer to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge have had their umbrellas closed for the weather.

Outdoor setting of a theme park area at Walt Disney World designed to look like a sci-fi outpost, featuring rock formations, themed buildings, and a Coca-Cola vending station. People in the distance are walking, seemingly undeterred by any news of Hurricane Helene.

A detailed recreation of a sci-fi setting features a starship with open wings, a red and black flag with a geometric emblem, and weathered structures filled with various pipes and equipment. It's as immersive as an adventure at Walt Disney World.

We spotted more prep in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, with all outdoor umbrellas closed for the incoming storm. Unlike Toy Story Land, though, the outdoor vending droid carts were not covered.

Visitors clad in rain ponchos navigate through a wet, themed amusement park area at Walt Disney World. Some push strollers, while others move amidst trees and sci-fi structures on a rainy day reminiscent of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance was a decent 40-minute wait!

Outdoor dining area with red umbrellas closed on a rainy day; a person in a black coat walks on the wet brick pavement, reminiscent of scenes seen at Walt Disney World during hurricane Helene.

Near Muppet*Vision 3D, the outdoor umbrellas for PizzeRizzo were all closed up.

Outdoor dining area with red umbrella-covered tables and string lights in front of a brick building labeled "Baseline Tap House" at Walt Disney World. Steps and a pathway lead up to the seating area, surrounded by greenery.

It’s the same story over at Baseline Tap House, though the weather isn’t stopping guests from sitting outside.

Outdoor dining area with empty tables and chairs next to a green building marked "SHOP." Umbrellas are furled, and industrial-style decorations are visible. Overcast sky reminiscent of Hurricane Helene in the background, evoking a scene one might find wandering through Walt Disney World on a cloudy day.

Backlot Express is also ready for the storm, with their outdoor umbrellas closed up.

Visitors in rain ponchos walk by the entrance sign for "Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!" at Walt Disney World, surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees.

Sign displaying "Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! Production Schedule: No Performances Today" surrounded by lush greenery and partial amusement park structure in the background at Walt Disney World.

All of today’s performances of Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular have been canceled, but guests can still enter the theater for a quick respite from the rain.

Empty outdoor dining area with wooden picnic tables and blue umbrellas on a wet ground, featuring a nautical-themed building in the background and palm trees swaying gently at Walt Disney World on a cloudy day.

Outdoor view of Sunset Ranch Market at Walt Disney World, featuring seating with umbrellas, potted plants, and a sign. The area is surrounded by greenery, and the Hollywood Tower is visible in the background.

Both Dockside Diner and Sunset Ranch Market closed all their umbrellas ahead of the storm.

People in rain ponchos walk and take photos near a large red guitar sculpture at an outdoor attraction with palm trees and overcast skies, reminiscent of the scenes at Walt Disney World during Hurricane Helene.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith was a 45-minute wait when we passed by. Not terrible for a stormy morning.

People wearing rain ponchos walk down a wet street at a theme park, reminiscent of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Palm trees line the walkway, and a temple-like structure stands at the end of the street in the distance.

We cut our day short due to the weather. Walt Disney World is under a Tornado Watch, Flood Watch, and Tropical Storm Warning, meaning tornadoes and floods are possible while tropical storm conditions are guaranteed.

Though the four theme parks are open, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park and mini golf courses are closed. Disney also canceled Thursday’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and select tours. Magic Kingdom is scheduled to close at 8 p.m.

Check My Disney Experience for up-to-date notices regarding operations, including potential early theme park closures.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The post Walt Disney World Prepares for Hurricane Helene appeared first on WDW News Today.