Disney World Closing For Hurricane Milton Could Cost $150 Million in Lost Revenue

Walt Disney World Faces Major Revenue Loss as Hurricane Milton Forces Park Closures

Walt Disney World is bracing for significant financial losses as Hurricane Milton, now a Category 5 storm, approaches Central Florida. Projected to make landfall near Tampa on Wednesday and pass through the Orlando area, the storm has prompted Disney to announce staggered closures of its parks and cancel key events. A Goldman Sachs report released Tuesday estimates the closures and related disruptions could cost Disney’s parks division between $150 million and $200 million this quarter, making Hurricane Milton one of the most financially damaging storms the company has faced in recent years, according to reporting by Forbes.

Related: Walt Disney World to Close Theme Parks and Disney Springs as Hurricane Milton Approaches

Projected Financial Impact:

The timing and severity of the storm are expected to severely dent Disney’s earnings. With all four major theme parks—Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom—closing Wednesday afternoon, and likely remaining closed through Thursday, the loss in ticket sales, food and beverage revenue, and merchandise sales will be substantial. Additionally, the popular Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, scheduled for Wednesday, has been canceled, with Disney offering refunds to ticket holders.

According to the Goldman Sachs report, Disney is also likely to see a 6% decline in park attendance this quarter due to the storm, compounding the financial hit. This places Hurricane Milton on track to cause greater losses than Hurricane Irma in 2017, which cost Disney’s parks an estimated $100 million. The combination of lost earnings and the expense of managing the storm’s impact could make Hurricane Milton one of the costliest weather events in Disney’s history.

Wider Closures and Revenue Impact:

In addition to theme park closures, Disney announced that its Fort Wilderness Campground and villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Saratoga Springs will close as of 11 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, with closures likely to extend through Sunday. The company has been “closely monitoring” the storm and will continue making adjustments based on the latest weather forecasts.

While Disney has not released an official comment on the storm’s potential revenue impact, industry experts point out that multi-day closures of major parks—especially during a busy season—can result in significant financial setbacks. Halloween events and holiday offerings attract large crowds and generate high revenue, making this period particularly important for Disney’s earnings.

Related: Universal Orlando Announces Closures Ahead of Hurricane Milton

Broader Tourism Losses in Central Florida:

Other major Central Florida attractions are also facing similar financial challenges. Universal Orlando Resort will close at 2 p.m. EDT Wednesday and remain closed through Thursday, canceling its popular Halloween Horror Nights events, which are known to draw large crowds. Legoland Florida, SeaWorld Orlando, and Busch Gardens Tampa are also shutting down operations for the next two days. Each of these closures represents lost revenue opportunities during one of the busiest seasons for Florida’s tourism industry.

With tourism being a key economic driver in the region, the combined closures of Disney, Universal, and other attractions are likely to have a ripple effect on local businesses, hotels, and restaurants, further amplifying the financial consequences of Hurricane Milton.

As Central Florida prepares for the storm’s impact, Disney is facing not just physical damage but a significant revenue loss that will be felt across its parks division. The full extent of the financial damage will become clearer once the storm passes, but early projections suggest that Hurricane Milton could leave a lasting financial mark on the company.

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