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Heading to Florida? What to know as Hurricane Milton approaches

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2 months ago

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Heading to Florida? What to know as Hurricane Milton approaches

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(This story was updated to add new information.)

A state of emergency is in effect for much of Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton.  

The Category 5 hurricane is currently over the Gulf of Mexico, and expected to make landfall Wednesday on Florida’s west coast, where hurricane and storm surge watches are already in effect in some areas, according to the National Hurricane Center. 

Over the weekend, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 51 counties – 35 counties on Saturday, then 16 more on Sunday – including those of every major theme park in the state. 

For now, Florida’s airports and theme parks are still operating as normal, but cruise lines are already making itinerary changes. 

 Here’s what travelers should know. 

How is Hurricane Milton impacting flights? 

Flights in the U.S. are not yet being affected by Hurricane Milton, but airlines and airports in the storm’s path are preparing for its impact. 

Carriers including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have already begun issuing waivers that allow travelers going to or from some Florida airports to change their tickets beginning Monday for no extra charge, even if they purchased a basic economy fare. Customers can check their airline’s website for specific details on travel advisories. 

Area airports remain operational for now but say they are monitoring the storm’s path and some have already announced plans to close.

  • Tampa International Airport said it will suspend operations beginning 9 a.m. Tuesday
  • St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will close after the last flight on Tuesday evening and remain closed through at least Thursday.
  • Orlando International Airport will wind down operations on Wednesday morning.

Statements from both Tampa and Orlando’s airports say they will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.

Travelers should keep an eye on updates from their airline and consider taking advantage of flexible change policies if they don’t have to travel. 

If a flight gets canceled for any reason, customers are entitled to a refund, according to Department of Transportation rules.  

Is Walt Disney World open? 

Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating as normal Monday, while closely following the storm. Guests can find updates on Disney World’s website. 

If the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for Orlando or wherever guests live within seven days of their scheduled arrival, guests may cancel, or change vacation packages or hotel reservations booked directly through the Walt Disney Travel Company without penalty. Unused tickets retain their value, and guests may change ticket dates for future use. 

Walt Disney World includes Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park (which is currently closed for the season), Disney Springs, ESPN Wide World of Sports, multiple golf and mini golf courses, and various resort hotels. 

Is Universal Orlando open? 

Universal Orlando Resort is operating normally Monday and closely monitoring the storm. Any changes to that will be announced on Universal Orlando’s website and social media.  

If the National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane or tropical storm warning for the Orlando area or wherever a guest lives within seven days of their scheduled arrival, guests may cancel or change vacation packages, hotel reservations, or park tickets booked directly though Universal without penalty.  

Universal Orlando Resort includes Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Volcano Bay water park, Universal CityWalk and numerous resort hotels. 

Is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay open?

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is open Monday, but will be closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, according to its parent company United Parks & Resorts. Dated park tickets have been automatically extended for use on any date through the end of the year.

Howl-O-Scream is cancelled for Thursday, but tickets may be used on any other Howl-O-Scream night this season.

Busch Garden Tampa Bay’s sister water park is Adventure Island was already scheduled to be closed through Thursday, according to its seasonal operations calendar.

Guests are encouraged to check United Parks & Resort’s website and social media for reopening details and additional updates.

Is SeaWorld Orlando open? 

SeaWorld Orlando is open Monday and actively monitoring the hurricane. Its sister park, Aquatica Orlando, is closed but plans to reopen on Tuesday.

However, their sister park, Discovery Cove Orlando, has enacted its named storm policy for Wednesday and Thursday, offering to reschedule trips to another date.

All three parks are also part of United Parks & Resorts, and guests are encouraged to check the parent company’s website and social media for storm-related updates.

Additionally, both Busch Gardens and SeaWorld have a Weather-or-Not Assurance policy that guarantees the value of park tickets through all types of inclement weather, so guests can come back at a later date. 

Story continues below.

Is LEGOLAND Florida open? 

LEGOLAND Florida Resort is operating normally for now, but will close Wednesday and Thursday, and hotel will operate with limited capacity, according to is website. Guests are encouraged to check LEGOLAND Florida’s website and social media for additional updates.  

Guests may cancel or reschedule visits without penalty if the National Hurricane Center issues a tropical storm or hurricane warning for Central Florida within seven days of their scheduled arrival. Beyond that, LEGOLAND Florida has a Rainy Day Promise allowing guests to use existing tickets for a future visit within one year of park closures for inclement weather. 

LEGOLAND Florida Resort includes LEGOLAND Florida, LEGOLAND Florida Water Park, Peppa Pig Theme Park and several resort hotels. 

How is Hurricane Milton impacting cruises? 

▶ Six Royal Caribbean International itineraries have been impacted so far: 

  • The line’s Grandeur of the Seas ship, departing Monday from Tampa, Florida, will swap its Western Caribbean itinerary for Eastern Caribbean, and visit Nassau in the Bahamas rather than Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. 
  • Utopia of the Seas’ Monday sailing from Florida’s Port Canaveral will swap its visits to Nassau and the line’s private Bahamas destination Perfect Day at CocoCay. The ship will now visit Perfect Day on Tuesday and Nassau on Thursday.  
  • Harmony of the Seas, which left from Galveston, Texas on Sunday, will skip a planned stop in Roatan, Honduras on Wednesday, visiting Costa Maya instead. 
  • Symphony of the Seas will replace nearly all of its ports, visiting Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and Labadee, Haiti in place of Port Canaveral, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau. The ship left from Bayonne, New Jersey on Sunday. 
  • Wonder of the Seas will skip planned visits in Roatan on Thursday and Costa Maya on Friday, but add a Wednesday stop in Falmouth, Jamaica. The ship, which left Port Canaveral on Sunday, will also move its Wednesday visit to Cozumel to Friday. 
  • The line’s Independence of the Seas ship, which departed from Miami on Saturday, will visit Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday rather than Cozumel. 

▶ Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Reflection will replace a stop in Key West on Tuesday with Nassau. The ship will leave from Fort Lauderdale on Monday. 

▶ Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Pride ship moved its three-day visit to Bermuda – scheduled to start on Wednesday – up by one day, the cruise line said on its website. The vessel left from Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday. Carnival Paradise, which left from Tampa on Sunday, will visit Costa Maya in place of Cozumel, while Carnival Valor, which left New Orleans on Saturday, will replace a stop in Cozumel with a sea day.

▶ Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic will visit Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point one day earlier than planned on Wednesday and spend the day at sea on Thursday. The ship, leaving from Fort Lauderdale on Monday, will also stop in Nassau on Friday rather than Wednesday.

▶ The Margaritaville at Sea Islander will depart on Monday from Tampa rather than Tuesday. The ship’s itinerary will be modified, and additional information “regarding the adjusted itinerary will be made (available) as plans are confirmed,” according to the line’s website. 

▶ MSC Cruises’ MSC Magnifica’s Monday cruise from Miami will visit Puerto Plata on Wednesday, and skip planned stops at the line’s Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas on Tuesday and Nassau on Thursday.

▶ Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady will replace its Wednesday sea day with a stop in Cozumel. The ship, which left from Miami on Sunday, will also skip a call in Bimini in the Bahamas on Thursday, spending the day at sea instead.

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