Walt Disney World To Close Early As Hurricane Dorian Approaches

Walt Disney World is closing early today (3 September) as Hurricane Dorian closes in on Florida, USA.

The theme park made the announcement on Monday, citing its 'strong commitment to safety' and 'history of being prepared during inclement weather'.

The adjusted closing times will see Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney Springs, Disney's Lagoon Typhoon Water Park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf close at 3pm.

Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom will close at 2pm, while ESPN Wide World of Sports and Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park will both be closed all day.

The theme park made the decision to cancel sporting events over the weekend and closed Blizzard Beach Water Park on Sunday.

In a statement released on Friday, Walt Disney World said: "We are closely monitoring the path of the projected weather, as nothing is more important than the safety of our guests and cast members.

"We are taking precautions including cancelling weekend sporting events and closing Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park on Sunday. We are also contacting guests with current and upcoming reservations at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and the Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort to plan for anticipated weather impacts."

Meanwhile, SeaWorld Orlando will be closed altogether today.

In a statement on Instagram, it said: "As we continue to monitor Hurricane Dorian's path, the safety of our guests, staff and animals is our greatest priority - therefore we will be closed on Tuesday 9/3."

At least five people in the Bahamas have been killed by Hurricane Dorian, with 13,000 houses severely damaged, according to The Guardian.

The hurricane was a category five when it first hit the country (though it has now dropped to a category three) and is the joint strongest hurricane on record to strike land in the Atlantic, tied with the Labor Day hurricane in 1935, according to New Scientist.

Topics: Weather, Disney, US News

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey