Walt Disney World not often closes. However shutdowns attributable to excessive climate have turn into extra frequent previously 10 years.
The Florida theme park has both closed partly or fully no less than 12 occasions since 2016 as a consequence of hurricanes, in response to a Skift evaluation of Disney’s monetary statements, particulars of closures in information reviews, and information from the agency Worldwide Theme Park Providers.
Between its opening in 1971 and 2000, the park closed solely thrice due to hurricanes, in response to the data.
Between 2000 and 2016, it closed 4 occasions – as soon as due to Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Jeanne and twice due to Hurricane Frances.
Other than hurricanes, the one different occasions the park has closed was due the coronavirus pandemic and the September 11 assaults.
In 2024, Hurricane Milton compelled the park to shut for round two days, which resulted in a lack of $120 million {dollars}, Disney mentioned in a report final month.
In an influence report from 2023, the corporate estimated that future storm-related closures might lead to losses of between $0 to $100 million in working revenue. This determine is predicated on losses suffered throughout Hurricane Irma in 2017. Disney mentioned that Irma triggered losses of over $100 million {dollars}.
In 2022, the landfall of Hurricane Ian resulted in Walt Disney World Resort closing for 2 days, which Disney estimated had an influence of roughly $65 million in working revenue.
Ripple Results From Park Closures
Dennis Speigel, chief govt of Worldwide Theme Park Providers, has tracked Disney’s theme park operations for over 25 years.
“Hurricanes have compelled Disney and different theme parks to shut within the final 10 years or so greater than ever earlier than. That appears to be regular now,” he mentioned.
“I used to run parks and have been monitoring them in my historical past. Climate has modified a lot and has such a huge effect that parks are having to issue it into their annualized budgeting.”
Speigel says closures imply an influence on general ticket gross sales, in addition to different operations comparable to lodge bookings, retail gross sales, eating places and eating.
Utilizing figures from these sources, Speigel estimates that the park loses round $45 million every day it closes, not together with any losses from harm to park infrastructure.
“Think about wood curler coasters and hurricanes ripping off wooden. The harm and the price of inspecting the park after a storm are enormous,” Speigel mentioned.
He additionally identified the ripple results. “Individuals can’t get there due to the unhealthy climate. Flights get canceled, journey plans get disrupted, and accommodations replenish as individuals keep longer as a result of they’ll’t depart.”
Hurricane Risk Projected to Get Worse
The specter of hurricanes within the area is predicted to worsen. In line with the Intergovernmental Panel on Local weather Change (IPCC), future storms will probably be extra intense, with stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and extra extreme storm surges.
Disney didn’t reply to Skift’s request for a remark or for extra details about the closures, however referenced the IPCC’s findings in its personal local weather influence report.
“A big portion of property held by Disney theme parks, resorts, and signature experiences is positioned inside energetic hurricane/cyclone basins. In line with the IPCC, it’s nearly sure that the frequency and depth of such storms have elevated since 1970,” the report acknowledged.
“Defending and insuring towards these occasions could scale back the profitability of Disney’s theme parks, resorts, and different experiences.”
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