Hurricane Helene theme park updates and closures in Florida
Hurricane Helene impacted Florida this week. This page will be updated with affected theme park operations of Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Legoland, and Fun Spot as needed.
Last updated: Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, 11:56 a.m.
This page is for storm updates as they relate to theme parks in central Florida for what is now categorized as Hurricane Helene. For real-time weather updates and safety information, consult the Weather Channel and/or your local news.
On Sept. 23, 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 41 Florida counties in anticipation of the storm. On Sept. 24, DeSantis issued another state of emergency for an additional 20 counties, for a total of 61.
Emergency hotel accommodations:
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay updates for Hurricane Helene
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and the Adventure Island water park were both closed on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.
Busch Gardens and Adventure Island will reopen with abridged operations on Friday, Sept. 27. Busch Gardens is open from 1-6 p.m., with Howl-O-Scream following from 7 p.m. – 12 a.m. Adventure Bay is open from 12-5 p.m.
Busch Gardens’ parent company, United Parks & Resorts, has a dedicated page on its website for operational updates.
The park is located in Tampa, Fla. within Hillsborough County, one of the counties placed under a state of emergency.
Fun Spot America updates for Hurricane Helene
Both locations for Fun Spot America (in Kissimmee and Orlando) have not issued any statements about Hurricane Helene at the time of this writing.
Fun Spot America’s locations fall within Osceola County (Kissimmee) and Orange County (Orlando), both of which are under a state of emergency.
Legoland Florida updates for Hurricane Helene
Legoland Theme Park at Legoland Florida Resort remained operational this week. The park is open Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Peppa Pig Theme Park at Legoland Florida Resort is closed Friday, Sept. 27.
Legoland’s website has a dedicated page with weather-related operational updates.
Legoland Florida is located in Winter Haven, Fla. (near Lakeland) within Polk County, one of the counties under a state of emergency.
SeaWorld Orlando updates for Hurricane Helene
SeaWorld Orlando closed at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. SeaWorld’s adjacent Aquatica Orlando water park and Discovery Cove boutique park were both closed all day on Sept. 26.
The parks will all resume regular park operations for Friday, Sept. 27:
- SeaWorld Orlando: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando: 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
- Aquatica Orlando: 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Discovery Cove: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
SeaWorld’s parent company, United Parks & Resorts, has a dedicated page on its website for operational updates.
SeaWorld Orlando is located within Orange County, one of the counties under a state of emergency.
Universal Orlando updates for Hurricane Helene
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida was canceled for the evening of Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. Additionally, Universal Volcano Bay was closed all day and Universal CityWalk closed early that night at 8 p.m.
Universal Orlando Resort resumes regular park operations for Friday, Sept. 27, with the following hours:
- Universal Studios Florida: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida: 6:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.
- Universal Islands of Adventure: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Universal Volcano Bay: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Universal CityWalk: 8 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Universal has a dedicated page on its website for severe weather updates.
Universal Orlando is located within Orange County, one of the counties under a state of emergency.
Walt Disney World updates for Hurricane Helene
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom was canceled for the evening of Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. Other Disney closures for Thursday included Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf, and Winter Summerland Miniature Golf. Other parks and attractions maintained regular operations on Thursday.
Walt Disney World commences regular park operations for Friday, Sept. 27, with the following hours:
- Magic Kingdom: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom: 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
- Epcot: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Disney Springs: 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
A page on Disney World’s website is dedicated to severe weather updates as they pertain to park operations.
The Walt Disney World property is located in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. and stretches across sections of both Orange County and Osceola County, both of which were in a state of emergency.
Parks outside of Florida
Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. was closed Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. The park will reopen with abridged operating hours on Friday, Sept. 27, from 12-9 p.m.
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