Hurricane Dorian Barrels Towards Florida

This article was last updated Tuesday September 4, 2019 10:30AM EST, and will continue to be updated throughout the weather event. If you have a vacation planned onboard the Disney Cruise Line from Port Canaveral this week, your travel may be impacted by the storm.

UPDATE: A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the Greater Orlando Area until further notice. The area, which includes the Walt Disney World Resort, is experiencing below Tropical Storm force winds and rain which are expected to continue through Wednesday evening.


Tropical Storm Warning


Last week Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for the entire state as a precautionary measure. Due to the uncertainty of the storm's track, it is important that both residents and guests continue to pay attention to the media and local officials for updates on this rapidly changing situation.

Here are a few handy links to keep you informed:

• National Hurricane Center
• National Weather Service Watches, Warnings or Advisories for Florida

The National Hurricane Center wants you to know the following information about the projected path of storms. "It is also important to realize that a tropical cyclone is not a point. Their effects can span many hundreds of miles from the center. The area experiencing hurricane force (one-minute average wind speeds of at least 74 mph) and tropical storm force (one-minute average wind speeds of 39-73 mph) winds can extend well beyond the white areas shown enclosing the most likely track area of the center."


Hurricane Dorian Projected Cone


Airport UPDATES:

• Orlando International Airport (MCO) will resume operations at Noon on Wednesday September 4th.
• Orlando Sanford International Airport will resume normal operations at 1:00PM EST, Wednesday September 4th.

Orlando International Airport


UPDATE: WALT DISNEY WORLD is once again operating as normal.

During Hurricane Irma in 2017, Disney did close the theme parks and advised guests to stay in their resort hotel rooms. Read our previous article on How To Prepare For A Potential Hurricane During Your Disney World Vacation.

In addition the Walt Disney World Resort does have a Hurricane Policy for guests and it states in part: "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 call in advance to reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Magic Your Way vacation package and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney."
If you have questions or you wish to reschedule your Walt Disney World Resort vacation due to a hurricane warning, please call (407) 939-7675.

Disney Vacation Club Members should know that the DVC Hurricane Policy is also in place for members wanting to change their reservations.


The Rains May Come


UPDATED: Guests traveling to Port Canaveral for a Disney Cruise should be aware that the US Coast Guard has restricted vessel traffic within the Canaveral channel and harbor. Cruise terminals are currently remained closed.

The Current Sailing of the Disney Dream, has been extended due to Port Closure, DCL loved ones on land to monitor the DCL website for updates. Because of port closure the ship will need to further extend this sailing and now expect Disney Dream to return to Port Canaveral on Thursday, September 5. You can find the latest travel advisory for Disney Cruise Line Guests on their website here.

The Disney Dream sailing scheduled for Monday, September 2 and changed to Wednesday, September 4 has been canceled. Since the sailing was cancelled, Guests are eligible for a full refund of their voyage fare. Please visit The Guest Advisory page for more information.

UPDATED: Castaway Cay Message From DCL

All is well at Castaway Cay. Due to the tropical storm conditions the island experienced, we have some cleaning up to do related to landscaping and will need to make minor repairs to the roof of one small covered pavilion area. We are awaiting the arrival of survey equipment to evaluate the pier and ship channel, as is required after any storm, before we are able to reopen Castaway Cay to guests.

Catch up on Disney Cruise Line news today!

Safe travels my friends. Let us know if you are in the Dorian's path in the comments below.