Hurricane advice and severe weather policies for Central Florida theme parks
The Attractions Magazine team has assembled some hurricane policies and advice for travelers visiting Central Florida’s theme parks during severe weather.
If you’re visiting Orlando, Fla. during hurricane season or have plans to travel to Central Florida theme parks when severe weather seems possible, you may want to review the following tips before heavy winds and rain arrive. (Read about specific closures for Hurricane Milton in our other coverage.)
Don’t panic
The first and most important thing to remember about potential hurricanes at Florida theme parks is: don’t panic. Especially early on in a storm’s development, it’s impossible to be certain about its path or severity. It may or may not impact your vacation at all.
Make sure you are getting your weather information from a reliable source like NOAA Radio or the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Even if a storm directly impacts Orlando, if you are staying at a major resort like Disney or Universal, you can rest assured the staff has been trained in emergency procedures and will be prepared to keep guests safe (and even entertained) during and after the storm.
Contact your travel agent if you have one
If you booked your Orlando vacation through a travel agent, it’s a good idea to contact them when you learn of a potential hurricane. Ask about their weather-related cancellation policies on any travel insurance you may have purchased, and make emergency contact provisions if you are still traveling.
Photo by Attractions Magazine
If you booked your vacation or hotel stay directly through one of the major resorts, you can find their specific severe weather policies below; for third-party hotels, contact the property directly.
Orlando-area theme park hurricane policies
Each resort, independent hotel, and theme park in Central Florida has its own hurricane policies and procedures. In general, all the major Central Florida resorts offer a severe weather guarantee, which allows guests to cancel or reschedule their vacation if the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for the Orlando area (or the guest’s hometown) within seven days of their trip.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and SeaWorld Orlando theme park hurricane policies
[Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and SeaWorld Orlando] usually [remain] open even when the weather isn’t cooperating, and we have lots of awesome ways for you and your family to have fun while it passes. Still, you never know when thunder and lightning, hail, or even a hurricane might unexpectedly land and ruin your good time. But don’t worry. That’s when our Weather-or-Not Assurance steps in to provide you with a return visit on us!
Your visit is covered through our Weather-or-Not Assurance program. This program guarantees the value of your park admission and applies year-round, covering weather events such as rain, lightning, extreme heat, wind, snow, hail, and more.
United Parks and Resorts
For the purposes of a state of emergency, you may need to know that Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is located in Hillsborough County and SeaWorld Orlando is located in Orange County.
Legoland Florida theme park hurricane policy
If the National Hurricane Center issues a tropical storm or hurricane warning for the Central Florida area — or for your place of residence — within seven days preceding your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your Legoland Florida Resort visit without any penalties or fees imposed by Legoland and/or Merlin Entertainments.
This policy applies only to Legoland Florida Theme Park tickets, Legoland Water Park tickets, Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida tickets, and Legoland Pirate Island Hotel, Legoland Hotel, or Legoland Beach Retreat reservations booked directly with Legoland Florida Resort or Legoland Vacations, as well as partner hotel reservations and packages booked through Legoland Vacations.
Legoland Florida Resort
For the purposes of a state of emergency, you may need to know that Legoland Florida Resort is located in Winter Haven (near Lakeland) within Polk County.
Universal Orlando theme park hurricane policy
While an incredible vacation awaits at Universal Orlando Resort, unfortunately we can’t make guarantees about the weather, but your travel plans can still be stress-free. In the event that a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center or a state of emergency is declared for the Orlando area or in your place of residence, within seven days of your arrival, you can contact our team in advance to reschedule or cancel your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations Package, hotel-room-only accommodations, and Universal Orlando theme park tickets booked directly with Universal Orlando, without any cancellation or change fees imposed. If you have purchased airline tickets as part of your Universal Parks and Resorts Vacations package, you may still be subject to cancellation and change fees assessed by those airlines.
If you have purchased Universal Orlando products and services through third-party suppliers, travel agents, or tour operators, please contact them directly for information regarding their cancellation or change policies and procedures. The policy does not apply to certain special events, dining experiences, or group-related bookings.
Universal Orlando Resort
For the purposes of a state of emergency, you may need to know that Universal Orlando Resort is located within Orange County.
Walt Disney World theme park hurricane policy
If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area — or for your place of residence — within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort hotel packages and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney. Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates.
If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation — such as air transportation, hotels, car rental agencies or travel insurance companies — you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences.
Walt Disney World
For the purposes of a state of emergency, you may need to know that the Walt Disney World property is located in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. and stretches across sections of both Orange County and Osceola County.
More Attractions Magazine stories:
Follow us:
No matter where you want to go, our trusted partner MEI-Travel will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation-planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations. Visit MEI-Travel for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
This page may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
