Hurricane Milton has wreaked havoc across Florida, leading to the closure of notable theme parks including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld. The storm struck Florida on October 9, 2024, with winds reaching up to 160 mph, wreaking destruction especially near the Tampa Bay area. This was particularly disheartening as it followed the impact of Hurricane Helene just weeks earlier, which had already caused significant distress in the region.
The Walt Disney Company took proactive measures, announcing the phased closure of all Orlando theme parks due to the storm. Employees were notified on October 8 to prepare for the impending hurricane, leading to significant logistics challenges for staff. Disney's parks were set to close early on October 9, with corresponding announcements made for Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. Disney Springs was slated to close at 2 p.m. ET, with its separate hotels taking similar precautions. The last-minute nature of the closures raised questions about how prepared Disney was for such rapidly changing weather conditions.
Prior to these closures, reports surfaced indicating tensions for Disney employees, particularly those who felt pressured to keep working through the storm. Some cast members, tasked with assisting park shutdowns, recounted feeling obligated to stay even as storm conditions worsened. According to four anonymous cast members who spoke to Business Insider, many employees feared financial repercussions if they clocked out early and risked accumulating points on attendance records. Disney’s point-based attendance system penalizes staff members for missed shifts, creating discomfort during extreme weather scenarios like hurricanes. One employee shared, "You had people who were staying behind, but they weren’t necessarily happy about it."
Disney's corporate communication emphasized its dedication to safety and transparency, insisting they had provided timely updates and services throughout the storm. A spokesperson contradicted employee sentiments, declaring, "Safety is always our first and most important factor when making decisions," highlighting thousands of volunteers who had signed up for emergency shifts. Despite the closures, the Orlando International Airport gradually resumed operations on the 10th, signaling the storm's impact was less than feared for some logistics channels.
Following the initial hurricane assessment, the parks announced their plans for reopening on Friday, October 11, 2024, albeit with some limitations. Halloween events like the popular Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party were canceled due to the necessary inventory checks and preparedness post-storm. Park-goers were likely disappointed at the prospect of diminished festivities during one of Florida’s busiest tourist seasons.
Disney’s precautionary closures are notable as they mark only the 12th time such actions have been taken during the park's illustrious 53-year history, with most closures previously owing to hurricanes. The timeline of closures reveals the challenges thematic establishments face during such natural events. Previous significant closures related to hurricanes included Irma and Ian, raising concerns about Florida’s emotional and financial recovery from successive storms.
But Disney isn't alone; Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and the city’s other attractions mirrored Disney's response by shutting down their doors to visitors. Universal announced similar operational suspensions for its venues, ending operations by 2 p.m. on the storm’s day and shutting down Volcano Bay waterpark operations for two days following. SeaWorld and LEGOLAND also delayed business activities, affecting holiday plans for numerous families.
Also significant were the local messages from nearby locations like Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, which had earlier closed their attractions as safety protocols tightened. Many tourism companies grappling with the shelter and evacuation processes sought to keep their clients informed and safe, providing continuous updates on storm forecasts and future reservations. The overwhelming urgency subjected Floridians — both employees and tourists — to varying degrees of uncertainty about travel and safety amid nature's unpredictability.
Even as Florida struggled against Hurricane Milton, the aftermath still holds potential spurs for recovery and community rebuilding efforts. These weather patterns undeniably add stress, but they also bring out the resilience of Floridian communities, showcasing how businesses and local individuals come together to formulate responses to nature's challenges. Once the storm cleared and normalcy continues to return, parks will be re-evaluated and rebuilt, signifying the spirit of continuity.
Hurricane Milton's impact rippled through various sectors, posing challenges not just to theme parks but also affecting local businesses and infrastructure statewide. While communities come together to recover, the dialogue about employee safety and risks taken by service employees amid severe weather remains. How businesses manage their workforce's safety during emergencies stands to develop as not just operational concerns but as ethical conversations highlighting employee welfare amid profits.
Looking forward, Florida's tourism industry hopes to regain momentum swiftly, especially with the upcoming festive season. The collaboration among businesses, resilience among cast members, and adapting public safety measures will continue to evolve as the state prepares for upcoming seasonal challenges and weather-related issues.
