The Walt Disney World weather updates page no longer lists any tours or Enchanting Extras offerings as canceled on Thursday, September 26. Initially, the following Disney’s Animal Kingdom tours were canceled:
Hurricane Helene is currently a Category 2 storm. It’s expected to make landfall on the Florida panhandle as a Category 4 storm. Heavy wind and rain are battering Central Florida as the storm passes. Walt Disney World is under a Tornado Watch and Tropical Storm Warning.
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Universal Orlando Resort canceled Halloween Horror Nights on Thursday, September 26 due to severe weather from Hurricane Helene.
Halloween Horror Nights Canceled
Universal previously stated their park operations, including Halloween Horror Nights, were continuing as normal. They decided to close Universal Volcano Bay on Thursday. Halloween Horror Nights is now canceled as well.
Halloween Horror Nights is still scheduled for September 27, 28, and 29. Guests with a single night dated ticket for September 26 may automatically use it for any single night through September 29. All other HHN ticket questions can be directed to Universal’s Guest Contact Center team by calling 800-711-0080.
Universal Studios Florida is still scheduled to close at 5 p.m. and Universal Islands of Adventure is scheduled to close at 8 p.m. Universal CityWalk will close early at 8 p.m.
For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.
Construction of The Cake Bake Shop at Disney’s Boardwalk is finally nearing completion. Crews have been installing gutters and testing newly installed lighting fixtures.
The Cake Bake Shop Construction
Last week, we reported that The Cake Bake Shop had installed more lighting fixtures, signs, and details. The new Disney’s BoardWalk venue started hiring for multiple positions back in March.
During our last visit, we saw a construction crew member working on the exterior gutters near the restaurant entrance.
When we were watching crews at work, we noticed that both of The Cake Bake Shop signs were testing their embedded twinkling lights.
Dozens of these miniature lights flicker in a glittering golden pattern. This effect will be easier to see during the evening, but it is such a fun addition to what would be a typical restaurant sign.
Here, the crew member is attaching a water spout to the gutter. The water spout is covered by the exterior wall running down the building.
Here is a closer look at the twinkling lights on the sign. You can see where some of them are off and others are on at different intensities.
From this angle, it appears that the wall touching the BoardWalk has been painted. Previously, this wall was still a concrete gray. There were construction crews inside the restaurant as well, and while we couldn’t see them, we could hear them working.
Credit: @j.a.hass on Instagram
We received this nighttime video from WDWNT reader @j.a.hass on Instagram of The Cake Bake Shop signs lights twinkling at night. They report that this past Wednesday night was the first night that the twinkling lights were turned on.
Are you excited for The Cake Bake Shop to finally open? Let us know in the comments below.
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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
The most obvious preparation at the theme parks is currently closed and secured umbrellas.
Many outdoor snack kiosks remain open for now.
A closed kiosk was covered with tarps.
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.
Umbrellas throughout Harambe Market were closed up.
Outdoor Guest Experiences kiosks were still operating, but their umbrellas were closed.
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.
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
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.
Outdoor umbrellas were all tied closed.
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
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.
In Toy Story Land, outdoor vending carts have been covered and umbrellas are closed.
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.
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.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance was a decent 40-minute wait!
Near Muppet*Vision 3D, the outdoor umbrellas for PizzeRizzo were all closed up.
It’s the same story over at Baseline Tap House, though the weather isn’t stopping guests from sitting outside.
Backlot Express is also ready for the storm, with their outdoor umbrellas closed up.
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.
Both Dockside Diner and Sunset Ranch Market closed all their umbrellas ahead of the storm.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith was a 45-minute wait when we passed by. Not terrible for a stormy morning.
Show your “ghoul” spirit with this new Monsters University Spirit Jersey, now available at Walt Disney World.
Monsters University Spirit Jersey – $79.99
This jersey features the trademark color scheme of the “Monsters, Inc.” franchise: blue and white. It is primarily blue with white sleeves.
On the left breast is the Monsters University logo, a blue “M” with an eyeball in the center. The logo is between the words “Monsters University.” On the cuffs of the sleeves are blue and white stripes.
The back of the jersey says “Property of Monsters University” in the signature Spirit Jersey font on the upper half of the shirt. The lower half has the university crest silhouetted in light blue. It is a circle with a horned shield in the center. Within the shield is the same eye as the “Monsters, Inc.”/”Monsters University” logo and an open book with “M” and “U” on each page. Spiked branches wrap around the shield, and a banner reading “1313” is at the center of the branches at the bottom of the design.
We found this Spirit Jersey at World of Disney in Disney Springs.
Will you be adding this to your Spirit Jersey collection? Let us know in the comments and on social media.
