Walt Disney Resort has found itself in the grips of Hurricane Milton, and terrified holidaymakers have shared footage of their surroundings.
Hurricane Milton has left a path of devastation in its wake as it sweeps through Florida.
The category 3 storm came ashore near Siesta Key in Sarasota County at around 8:30PM local time last night.
Although the winds have since weakened to 90mph and have been downgraded to a category 1 storm, it still poses a risk to life.
Walt Disney World, along with other major theme parks in Florida such as SeaWorld and Universal Orlando, closed its doors in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Milton.
Disney’s Orlando parks began shutting down in phases starting at 1:00PM on Wednesday, with closures expected to last through Thursday, per CBS News.
According to Disney, its resorts, water parks, miniature golf facilities, and campgrounds will also close to ensure the safety of guests and staff.
This announcement follows United Parks and Resorts' decision to close its Florida properties, including SeaWorld Orlando, on Wednesday and Thursday.
Busch Gardens Tampa, which closed on Tuesday, will remain shut through Thursday, United Parks confirmed.
In a statement to guests, Disney World said: "Please prepare to shelter indoors in your room or building beginning at 8:30PM, as the storm is expected to intensify. The Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks, recreation offerings and Disney Springs are now closed through Thursday, October 10."
Guests staying at Disney World have shared unsettling footage from their hotels as the storm unleashed its fury.
One TikTok user staying at the Art of Animation resort posted a video of torrential rain and howling winds outside their window.
"Staying safe in our room," the guest commented, while showing palm trees swaying violently in the wind.
In some resorts, a dedicated "Hurricane Team" kept children entertained and set up coffee bars to offer comfort while the storm raged outside.
Nicole and Zeb Downs, a family visiting from Arkansas, were among those caught in the storm’s path.
The family of five arrived in Florida on Monday after a 21-hour drive, hoping for a 12-day vacation. However, by Tuesday afternoon, they were considering cutting their trip short.
"We are disappointed but it's kind of out of our hands at this point," Zeb Downs told CBS News while walking with his family through Disney Springs.
Beyond theme parks, Hurricane Milton is disrupting other industries in Florida, including cruise operations.
Tampa’s port shut down, and the Jacksonville port closed on Wednesday.
Some cruise ships have extended their stays in Mexico and other locations, while other departures have been delayed.
At the time of writing, NBC News reports the confirmed death toll to be nine people.
