(CNN) — Florida’s major theme parks were closed Thursday Hurricane Ian It left a path of destruction on the peninsula and headed for the Carolinas in the Atlantic Ocean.
While Disney World and some attractions plan to reopen Friday, most will remain closed. Here’s a report on the latest plans for various theme parks, other sites of interest to tourists, and what’s happening on various cruise ships:
Disney World (Orlando)
Walt Disney World announced Thursday night that its four major theme parks will reopen Friday at the following times:
Cinderella Castle, the symbol of the Magic Kingdom. (John Roux/AP)
• Magic Kingdom Park: 10 a.m. (Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is scheduled and sold out)
• EPCOT: 11 a.m.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Noon
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: 1 p.m.
Disney Resort hotel guests and guests staying at other select hotels are permitted to check-in two hours earlier than the previously posted time.
Fantasia Gardens Minigolf will reopen Friday at 3 p.m.
The ESPN Wide World of Sports campus is open from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is scheduled to reopen on Sunday
Walt Disney World transportation will resume operating as usual on Friday, but subject to weather protocols, the park said.
Disney Springs, the entertainment, dining and shopping complex, will open at 10 a.m. Friday.
Click on Here For more details on reopening, including information on hotels and campsites.
Busch Gardens (Tampa)
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay said on its website it will be closed late Thursday through Friday.
The same applies to other Florida parks operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment:
• Adventure Island (Tampa)
•SeaWorld Orlando
• Aquatica Orlando
•Discovery Cove (Orlando)
Discovery Cove will change or refund reservations made online or through the call center without canceling or changing fares, the company said. For more information, call 407-513-4600.
Those who made reservations through a third-party reseller may rebook visit dates at a specific park, but individuals seeking a refund should contact their reseller partner.
Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream tickets for September 30 have been extended to October 31.
Click on Here For more details.
Universal Resort (Orlando)
Universal Orlando Resort, including CityWalk, was closed Wednesday and Thursday, and a “phased reopening” for hotel guests will begin Friday, the resort said in an email to CNN Travel late Thursday.
“We are continuing our targeting and recovery efforts, with the safety of our guests and crew members as our top priority,” Universal said.
“We will begin gradually reopening areas of our destination to our hotel guests beginning Friday, September 30. We will update our website and social channels with information about park hours as conditions permit.
Click on Here For more information and global FAQs.
Legoland (Winter Haven)
Legoland Florida Resort and its associated parks will be closed Friday, according to the resort’s website.
“Legoland Hotel and Pirate Island Hotel will remain open for guests with existing reservations,” the park said.
LEGOLAND previously said park tickets valid from Wednesday, September 28 to Sunday, October 2 will automatically be extended to December 31, 2022.
Once the park’s call center reopens on Friday, people can rebook vacations without penalty. The number is 888-690-5346. Guests with questions about the resort’s hurricane policy can click here Here.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (Cape Canaveral)
NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Merritt Island will be closed Friday, but the facility plans to reopen Saturday. Central website.
Icon Park (Orlando)
All Icon Park locations are still closed, according to Attraction website.
“When it is safe to do so, select restaurants will open to serve local residents who have lost power or guests staying at nearby hotels,” the entertainment venue said.
Crayola Experience (Orlando)
The popular children’s attraction will reopen at noon on Friday, according to Crayola’s website Thursday night.
Cruise ships
Florida ports have very active cruise ship schedules. Here are the route status of some of those ships:
Norwegian Cruise Line: The company has canceled a 10-day cruise on the Norwegian Getaway scheduled to depart Port Canaveral on Thursday.
The company also changed ports on Norwegian Sky’s eight-day voyage, which departed Miami on Sunday, the cruise line tells CNN. Instead of scheduled stops in the Western Caribbean, the cruise will now stop in the Eastern Caribbean.
“The safety of our guests and staff is always our number one priority,” the cruise line said. Shore excursions booked by the cruise line at affected ports will be refunded to guests’ internal accounts.
MSC: The company has replaced at least one of its ships and is monitoring the possibility of replacing others, a spokeswoman tells CNN. MSC Seashore, originally scheduled to be in the Western Caribbean, has been diverted to ports in the Eastern Caribbean.
The cruise line is also tracking MSC Divinia, which departed Port Canaveral on Sunday for a four-night cruise to Nassau and Ocean City Marine Reserve. MSC says both cruise ports are not on Ian’s planned route, but warned passengers before departure that conditions could prevent the ship from returning on Thursday. The cruise line says that if the return is delayed, the cruise will be extended at no additional cost to guests.
The cruise line doesn’t expect Ian to hit MSC Beach on Saturday, October 1, departing from the Port of Miami.
Carnival Cruise Line: The company has announced changes to its schedule. Ports of Tampa Bay, Canaveral and Jacksonville are affected by Ion, and the following cruises have been canceled:
• Carnival Paradise: Four-day cruise from Tampa on Thursdays.
• Carnival Elation: Four-day cruise from Jacksonville on Thursday.
• Carnival Liberty: Three-day cruise from Port Canaveral on Friday.
Guests will receive a full refund and a 25% future travel credit, according to Carnival.
Carnival Liberty, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Elation, Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Glory: The following ships have changes to their schedules and ports of call to deal with the storm and its aftermath.
Click on Here See specific changes to each ship’s itinerary.
National and State Parks
National park Everglades South Florida was closed Wednesday and Thursday, with no reopening schedule set. “After the storm passes, staff will assess park conditions to determine when it should reopen,” according to the park’s website.
All National Park Service personnel were evacuated Dry Tortugas National Park, along the western edge of the Florida Keys in the Gulf of Mexico, before Hurricane Ian approached, according to NPS spokeswoman Alison Gantt. None of the employees come out during storms. The park is closed Thursday.
As of Thursday night, more than 100 Florida state parks were closed, including Alafia River State Park (Hillsborough County), Bahia Honda State Park (Monroe County), Delner-Wiggins Pass State Park (Hillsborough County), Collier), and Don Pedro Island. State Park (Charlotte County), Lake Manatee State Park (Manatee County) and Rainbow Springs State Park (Marion County).
Query Here For a complete list of closed state parks and information on cabin and campground closures.
Zoos
Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Garden: Both the zoo and botanical garden will be closed through Friday, officials announced.
“Our priority is the safety of our animals, staff and customers. We are following our protocols and monitoring the storm closely. We will reopen when it is safe to do so. Watch our social media for updates,” the official said. said a Twitter account from the zoo.
The zoo will be closed September 28-30 in preparation for Hurricane Ian. The safety of our animals, staff and patrons is our priority. We are following our protocols and monitoring the storm closely. We will reopen when it is safe to do so. Check our community for updates. pic.twitter.com/vlPlWLH6Uf
— Central Florida Zoo (@Centralflzoo) September 27, 2022
ZooTampa at Lowry Park: The attraction will resume regular hours Friday, he said on your website.
Brevard Zoo: The Melbourne Zoo will reopen on Friday. “Boo at the Zoo is also scheduled to open this weekend,” the zoo said in a post Twitter in your verified account.
Jamiel Lynch, Frank Pallotta, Amanda Musa and Aya Elamroussi contributed to this report.
