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Disney World to Shut Down During Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma has already left a powerful path of destruction in its wake and it’s still hours from hitting the state of Florida. However, the projected strength and power of the storm as it continues to inch closer has left those in the sunshine state trying desperately to leave or to do whatever they can to stay safe if they can’t.

There are already people on the ground prepared to assist in the worst of the storm and they’re not just local Floridians. Everyone from linemen to EMS workers (and more) are already bracing for Irma’s impact and preparing to help rebuild a state. While reports were very different just 36 hours ago, some big changes have been made over the course of the last day and one of them involves one of the biggest ‘parks’ in the world.

While reports were very different just 36 hours ago, some big changes have been made over the course of the last day and one of them involves one of the biggest ‘parks’ in the world.

If you’re a fan of Disney World, you know there are a number of social media groups dedicated to perfect trip planning. From dining reservations to fast passes and even a calendar with dates from the most crowded to the least – people pick apart every aspect of Disney World vacationing so that it goes as smoothly as possible. However, no one can plan for life altering emergencies and many people have been trying to contact Disney World for the last week to change or cancel their vacation plans. Some of them have spent upwards of 5 hours on the phone waiting for assistance doing so.

Today, it was announced that Disney World would be closing in an effort to keep patrons and cast members safe. While people across the world are upset about missing a vacation that so much goes into planning (and we’re not saying that doesn’t make sense); some of the staff at Disney World are going above and beyond to try to ensure that those who are hunkering down at the amusement park are safe.

Cast members at Disney aren’t just giving out Disney magic as usual, some of them are on ‘hurricane duty’ which means they’re helping with everything from trying to board up parts of the parks to keep as much of Disney without harm as humanly possible to staffing the resort areas to try to make those on property have as comfortable of an experience that there can be during a massive natural disaster.

The parks themselves will be all closed up by 9 pm Saturday and Disney hopes to reopen Tuesday morning depending on the path that Hurricane Irma takes.

You can find out more by following Disney’s social media pages and if you’re currently at the park, waiting the storm out, please reach out to cast members to find out how to help ensure your safety and the safety of your loved ones. Don’t forget to thank them as well, many Disney cast members are college students and those with families and loved ones of their own.