Disney World Closures Due to Hurricanes Are Becoming More Frequent
Photo Credit: View of Walt Disney World. Pixabay / stinne24
Skift Take
Walt Disney World’s increasing hurricane closures aren’t just about extreme weather - they’re a reminder that even the most magical place on Earth can’t escape the consequences of a changing climate.
Walt Disney World rarely closes. But shutdowns caused by extreme weather have become more frequent in the past 10 years.
The Florida theme park has either closed partly or completely at least 12 times since 2016 due to hurricanes, according to a Skift analysis of Disney's financial statements, details of closures in news reports, and data from the firm International Theme Park Services.
Between its opening in 1971 and 2000, the park closed only three times because of hurricanes, according to the records.
Between 2000 and 2016, it closed four times – once because of Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Jeanne and twice because of Hurricane Frances.
Aside from hurricanes, the only other times the
