How hotels, theme parks are preparing for Hurricane Ian

By Kelly McCarthy

As much of Florida prepares for Hurricane Ian to make landfall, the hospitality world is bracing for impact.

Famed theme parks and hotels across the state in the path of the Category 4 storm are working fast to minimize potential damage.

Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via Getty Images

A hotel is boarded up ahead of Hurricane Ian in St. Petersburg, Fla., Sept. 27, 2022.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer warned that the storm is predicted to hit the city with an expected 10-20 inches of rainfall and wind gusts up to 60-75 mph. Dyer told ABC News the biggest concerns locally are flooding and wind damage, and the city is preparing for downed trees and power lines.

Garbage collection in the area was a big part of the preparation as well to mitigate the risk of debris, which could turn into airborne projectiles in the hurricane-force winds.

Gerardo Mora/Getty Images

People stay at Castle Hotel at the bay of St. Pete Beach, as the winds from Hurricane Ian arrive on Sept. 28, 2022 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Walt Disney World, SeaWorld, Universal Orlando and Legoland all announced closures for Wednesday and Thursday out of an abundance of caution.

Disney World announced the closure of its Florida theme parks on Wednesday, Sept. 28, and Thursday, Sept. 29. This includes Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course and Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf.

John Raoux/AP

The entrance to the Sea World theme park is seen as the park is closed today and Thursday as Hurricane Ian bears down on the state, Orlando, Fla., Sept. 28, 2022.

Walt Disney World Resort Update on Hurricane Ian – For the latest information, visit: https://t.co/tFCa0Atuj5 pic.twitter.com/2HikYFXRU6

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 27, 2022

"Partially used multi-day theme park tickets with a validity window impacted by closure due to Hurricane Ian will be automatically extended to allow use of the remaining unused ticket days through September 30, 2023," the company wrote in a statement. "In order to enter a park, both a park reservation and valid ticket for the same park on the same date is required."

Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via Getty Images

A hotel sign is displayed ahead of Hurricane Ian in St. Petersburg, Fla., Sept. 27, 2022.

Chasity Maynard/Tallahassee Democrat via USA Today Network

A man brings his belongings into the Holiday Inn Tallahassee East Capital on Sept. 27, 2022, after evacuating the Tampa area in anticipation of Hurricane Ian.

Disney World hotels have asked all guests to check in before 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday, Sept. 28, or to reschedule or cancel their trip with cancellation fees waived.

"Guests that are checked in by 3 p.m. Wednesday will be asked to shelter in place at their resort for the duration of the storm, this includes any resort-to-resort transfers," the company said. "Dining options for Guests staying in our Resort hotels will vary, and in some cases may be very limited. Where available, restaurants will accept walk-ups only; Guests will not need dining reservations."

Jason Andrew/The New York Times via Redux

A young girl with Disney ears sits in the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria hotel at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. Sept. 28, 2022. obby of the Waldorf Astoria hotel at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. on Sept. 28, 2022. Disney World has closed for the next two days in anticipation of Hurricane Ian.

Jason Andrew/The New York Times via Redux

Jim Connors, a resident of Tampa and member of the Florida Orchestra, practices his cello in the cafe of the Waldorf Astoria hotel at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., Sept. 28, 2022. Disney World has closed for the next two days in anticipation of Hurricane Ian, which was upgraded to Category 4 shortly before 5 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, and could strengthen to Category 5.

Resort closure includes LEGOLAND® FL Theme Park, Water Park & Peppa Pig Theme Park. Tickets dated for 9/28-10/2 will be automatically extended thru 12/31/22. Vacation stays during this time can be rebooked without penalty. Learn more at https://t.co/rKFCcHe1n2. Stay safe! pic.twitter.com/XflGsQ0OT0

— LEGOLAND Florida (@LEGOLANDFlorida) September 27, 2022

Employees at the Hilton Garden Inn had to use rope to secure the front door in Fort Myers, Florida.

Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP

Employees Louie Fonseca, Frankie Monica, Bryan Kinbacher and Jaime Miranda use rope to secure the front door at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fort Myers, Fla., Sept. 28, 2022.

This is a developing story check back for updates.

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