Disney World theme parks will reopen Friday after the storm

Topline

Walt Disney World's theme parks will reopen Friday, the company announced on its website, after the popular theme parks closed Wednesday afternoon and Thursday as Central Florida was hit by Hurricane Milton.

Important facts

Big number

$150 to $200 million. That's how much Hurricane Milton and resulting closures could cost Disney's parks division this quarter, Goldman Sachs predicted Tuesday before the storm made landfall. That would exceed the $100 million in damage Disney reported Hurricane Irma hit the company in 2017, when the parks were closed for two days.

Did Walt Disney World experience flooding during Hurricane Milton?

Images purportedly showing severe flooding at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom Park went viral on social media Thursday morning. Although Disney has not yet commented on the extent of flooding or damage the company suffered during the storm, no flooding has been reported and these images are fake: the view of the park's Cinderella Castle depicted in them is false, and the theme park was closed There were no guests present when the hurricane was underway so no photos could be taken. The contributions

Surprising fact

Walt Disney World theme parks are at low risk of severe damage from hurricanes. Orlando Weekly reported in 2019 that theme park buildings are subject to special building codes that are more stringent than traditional structures. Major Disney structures like the castle and Epcot's Spaceship Earth are designed to withstand at least a Category 3 storm without preparation, according to Orlando Weekly, and project manager Elaine Schomburg-LaFleur told the Orlando Sentinel that the castle's new additions are for Walt Disney The world's 50th anniversary was designed to “handle any hurricane.” Disney's power lines are also underground, reducing the chance of power outages. The resort and its hotels have become a well-known hurricane escape for Florida residents due to the property's ability to withstand adverse weather conditions.

News Peg

Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm on Wednesday evening and moved through central Florida – where Walt Disney World is located – before exiting the state and heading back out to sea through the state's east coast on Thursday morning. Millions are still without power in the state Thursday and at least 10 people have died from the storm and tornadoes that preceded landfall. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday the state has avoided the “worst-case scenario” of the storm's impacts, but the full extent of the storm's impact is still being assessed.

Further reading

ForbesHurricane Milton live updates: 3 million without power, last hurricane warning liftedFrom Mary Whitfill Roeloffs
ForbesWalt Disney World is closing tomorrow as Hurricane Milton is estimated to cause $150 million in damageFrom Alison Durkee