With weather forecasts expecting Hurricane Ian to affect Central Florida later this week, theme parks have begun announcing closures ahead of the storm.
The first park to announce a complete closure was Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, which is closest to the potential path of the Category 2 storm. The park will be closed from Tuesday through Thursday.
UPDATE: Busch Gardens will now be closed today, September 27 through Thursday, September 29. For additional details, please visit https://t.co/hCv7Wec8Sf pic.twitter.com/XthVh5dItr
— Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (@BuschGardens) September 27, 2022
ZooTampa, which sports a kiddie coaster, will also be closed from Tuesday through Thursday.
Legoland Florida and Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida will close at 5 p.m. Tuesday and remain shuttered Wednesday and Thursday.
Resort closure includes LEGOLAND® FL Theme Park, Water Park & Peppa Pig Theme Park. Tickets dated for 9/28-10/2 will be automatically extended thru 12/31/22. Vacation stays during this time can be rebooked without penalty. Learn more at https://t.co/rKFCcHe1n2. Stay safe! pic.twitter.com/XflGsQ0OT0
— LEGOLAND Florida (@LEGOLANDFlorida) September 27, 2022
On Tuesday afternoon, Disney World and Universal Orlando both announced that their theme parks, as well as the Disney Springs will be closed Wednesday and Thursday. Universal CityWalk will be shuttered both days as well, while Disney Springs is set to be closed Wednesday, with a Thursday opening decision to be made later.
Disney World had previously announced it would be closing its two mini-golf courses and the Typhoon Lagoon water parks on Wednesday and Thursday. Parts of four Disney hotels will close from Wednesday through Friday: all of the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, the Copper Creek Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs and the bungalows along the waterfront at the Polynesian. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will be closed through Friday.
Disney will also “not enforce cancelation policies until further notice for dining and other experiences like Savi’s Workshop and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.”
SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.
Both of Orlando’s airports are also closing due to the hurricane. Orlando International Airport will cease operations at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Orlando Sanford Airport will close at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and has canceled all flights Wednesday and Thursday.
The two Fun Spot locations in Orlando and Kissimmee are only parks in the region that have yet to announce a hurricane-related closure.
This story will be updated if and when more Central Florida attractions announce closures related to Hurricane Ian.