- Mar 13, 2024
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If you’re visiting Disney World during hurricane season, you’ll need to prepare for your trip a little differently than if you were visiting any other time of the year.
Cinderella Castle during Hurricane Helene
That’s because hurricanes can impact your vacation. It means you could be dealing with heavy rain when you’re visiting the parks, rides closing due to the weather, and the outright closure of the parks. That’s why you need to know about Disney World’s hurricane cancellation policy, so you can change your plans if a hurricane might upend them.
Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th. If you’re visiting Disney World during that time, here’s the official hurricane cancellation policy you need to know about. The Disney World Hurricane Policy FAQ page reads, “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.”
©Disney
The important thing to remember here is at the beginning of the policy. This cancellation policy is ONLY in effect if a hurricane warning is issued for the Orlando area or for where you live. The policy does not include tropical storm warnings, so keep that in mind.
Magic Kingdom entrance the day after Hurricane Milton
If you booked any part of your Disney World vacation through a third party, Disney is not responsible for refunds. Instead, you should contact the third party and find out what their cancellation policy is.
©Disney
If you used a special rate or discount to book your trip, it may not be available to you if you reschedule your trip. However, Cast Members will work with you to try to find alternate offers. Everything you have already paid for, such as rooms, park tickets, dining plans, and other Disney products and services, can be applied to your new reservation. However, if there is a price difference between your original trip and your new trip, you’ll have to pay it.
©Disney
Normally, Disney World tickets are nontransferable and nonrefundable, so you cannot cancel a ticket or package or get a refund for it. However, you may be able to change the date of your unused tickets. However, if a hurricane warning has been issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area or where you live within seven days of your scheduled arrival date, you may be able to reschedule your tickets or vacation packages.
©Disney
Note that you can often use unexpired tickets for a future date as long as the first date of the ticket hasn’t been used. You may be able to change the date on an unused ticket on the Disney World website. The amount paid for an unused, expired ticket can be applied to purchase a new ticket at the current price as long as the new ticket purchase price is equal to or greater than what you paid for the original ticket.
Disney World Theme Park Tickets
The hurricane policy doesn’t apply to rooms or packages for groups and special events. You’ll need to call your event manager if you’ve booked a trip that way.
©Disney
Disney also does not guarantee that you’ll get the same or similar accommodations if you change your trip due to a hurricane warning.
©Disney
What about canceling dining reservations? Well, each Disney World restaurant has its own cancellation policy, and the policy for canceling dining can vary during a hurricane. Most restaurants will allow you to cancel your reservation up to two hours in advance by either canceling online or by calling (407) 824-1391.
Dessert Trio at Be Our Guest
However, some restaurants don’t allow changes or cancellations once they’re confirmed. That includes:
Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue
There are also some Disney World restaurants that require you to cancel much earlier than two hours, and you’ll face higher fees if you don’t heed that. Note that these restaurants MIGHT change their policies during a hurricane, but you need to know about them regardless:
©Disney
We did see Disney announce that it would not enforce dining reservation cancellation policies during Hurricane Ian in 2022. So this could happen if a hurricane warning has been issued.
Note that this isn’t’ something that will happen automatically, though. If you have dining reservations you need to change or cancel due to a hurricane, you need to call Disney at (407) 939-7675 and speak with a Cast Member. They’ll let you know what the policy is and what your options are.
Visitors leaving Magic Kingdom and EPCOT at the Transportation and Ticket Center during a hurricane
We have seen Disney issue statements for Evacuees and First Responders Support, Travel Flexibility, and Storm Recovery, though, as was the case with Hurricane Idalia in 2023. The company offered 50% off Disney hotel stays for Florida residents evacuating from the storm and first responders assisting with storm-related recovery efforts from August 29th-31st, 2023.
Cast Members prepping for Hurricanes
Disney also made a statement regarding travel flexibility, waiving all change and cancellation fees for check-in dates of August 28th through September 4th, 2023. Guests who were already staying in Disney hotels whose plans had been impacted by the storm were offered a discounted rate to extend their stay through August 31st.
Disney World closed due to Hurricane Milton in 2024
Disney will generally make statements like this if a storm is approaching or a hurricane warning has been issued for the Orlando area. You’ll want to make sure you keep an eye out for these announcements (although we’ll do our best to keep you updated, too).
Check out our other hurricane resources below:
We’ll keep you updated on everything you need to know during hurricane season in Disney World, so stay tuned to Magical Guides for more.
Have you ever had to cancel or change a Disney World trip due to a hurricane? What was the process like? Let us know in the comments!
Cinderella Castle during Hurricane Helene
That’s because hurricanes can impact your vacation. It means you could be dealing with heavy rain when you’re visiting the parks, rides closing due to the weather, and the outright closure of the parks. That’s why you need to know about Disney World’s hurricane cancellation policy, so you can change your plans if a hurricane might upend them.
Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th. If you’re visiting Disney World during that time, here’s the official hurricane cancellation policy you need to know about. The Disney World Hurricane Policy FAQ page reads, “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.”
©Disney
The important thing to remember here is at the beginning of the policy. This cancellation policy is ONLY in effect if a hurricane warning is issued for the Orlando area or for where you live. The policy does not include tropical storm warnings, so keep that in mind.
Magic Kingdom entrance the day after Hurricane Milton
If you booked any part of your Disney World vacation through a third party, Disney is not responsible for refunds. Instead, you should contact the third party and find out what their cancellation policy is.
©Disney
If you used a special rate or discount to book your trip, it may not be available to you if you reschedule your trip. However, Cast Members will work with you to try to find alternate offers. Everything you have already paid for, such as rooms, park tickets, dining plans, and other Disney products and services, can be applied to your new reservation. However, if there is a price difference between your original trip and your new trip, you’ll have to pay it.
©Disney
Normally, Disney World tickets are nontransferable and nonrefundable, so you cannot cancel a ticket or package or get a refund for it. However, you may be able to change the date of your unused tickets. However, if a hurricane warning has been issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area or where you live within seven days of your scheduled arrival date, you may be able to reschedule your tickets or vacation packages.
©Disney
Note that you can often use unexpired tickets for a future date as long as the first date of the ticket hasn’t been used. You may be able to change the date on an unused ticket on the Disney World website. The amount paid for an unused, expired ticket can be applied to purchase a new ticket at the current price as long as the new ticket purchase price is equal to or greater than what you paid for the original ticket.
Disney World Theme Park Tickets
The hurricane policy doesn’t apply to rooms or packages for groups and special events. You’ll need to call your event manager if you’ve booked a trip that way.
©Disney
Disney also does not guarantee that you’ll get the same or similar accommodations if you change your trip due to a hurricane warning.
©Disney
What about canceling dining reservations? Well, each Disney World restaurant has its own cancellation policy, and the policy for canceling dining can vary during a hurricane. Most restaurants will allow you to cancel your reservation up to two hours in advance by either canceling online or by calling (407) 824-1391.
Dessert Trio at Be Our Guest
However, some restaurants don’t allow changes or cancellations once they’re confirmed. That includes:
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review
- Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Pre-Party
- Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Post-Party
- Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties: Seats & Sweets
- Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise
- Rose & Crown Fireworks Dining Package
- Spice Road Table Fireworks Dining Package
- Celebration at the Top – Sip, Savor, Sparkle
- Top of the World Lounge – multiple products
Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue
There are also some Disney World restaurants that require you to cancel much earlier than two hours, and you’ll face higher fees if you don’t heed that. Note that these restaurants MIGHT change their policies during a hurricane, but you need to know about them regardless:
©Disney
We did see Disney announce that it would not enforce dining reservation cancellation policies during Hurricane Ian in 2022. So this could happen if a hurricane warning has been issued.
Note that this isn’t’ something that will happen automatically, though. If you have dining reservations you need to change or cancel due to a hurricane, you need to call Disney at (407) 939-7675 and speak with a Cast Member. They’ll let you know what the policy is and what your options are.
Visitors leaving Magic Kingdom and EPCOT at the Transportation and Ticket Center during a hurricane
We have seen Disney issue statements for Evacuees and First Responders Support, Travel Flexibility, and Storm Recovery, though, as was the case with Hurricane Idalia in 2023. The company offered 50% off Disney hotel stays for Florida residents evacuating from the storm and first responders assisting with storm-related recovery efforts from August 29th-31st, 2023.
Cast Members prepping for Hurricanes
Disney also made a statement regarding travel flexibility, waiving all change and cancellation fees for check-in dates of August 28th through September 4th, 2023. Guests who were already staying in Disney hotels whose plans had been impacted by the storm were offered a discounted rate to extend their stay through August 31st.
Disney World closed due to Hurricane Milton in 2024
Disney will generally make statements like this if a storm is approaching or a hurricane warning has been issued for the Orlando area. You’ll want to make sure you keep an eye out for these announcements (although we’ll do our best to keep you updated, too).
Check out our other hurricane resources below:
- 3 Updates to Know Before Visiting Disney World During Hurricane Season in 2026
- 8 Tips for Riding Out a Hurricane in Disney World
- The Best Hurricane-Ready Hotels in Disney World
We’ll keep you updated on everything you need to know during hurricane season in Disney World, so stay tuned to Magical Guides for more.
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Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
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Have you ever had to cancel or change a Disney World trip due to a hurricane? What was the process like? Let us know in the comments!
