Universal Operational Changes & Weather Updates

By John YaglenskiPublished On: October 8th, 2024Categories: News, Universal0 Comments

Due to Hurricane Milton, Universal Orlando Resort is making the following operational changes for Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk will be open until 2 p.m. and will be closed on Thursday, Oct. 10. (*Note: Hours of operation are subject to change based on forecast alterations and some attraction and experience availability may be limited on Wednesday as we prepare for an early closure)
Universal Volcano Bay will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida is canceled for Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10.
Our hotels remain operational as they focus on taking care of our guests.

We anticipate a full reopening of our destination, including Halloween Horror Nights, on Friday, Oct. 11 at our normal operating hours pending the outcome of storm impacts.

Last Updated: October 8, 2024 at 2:15 PM

Hurricane Milton Impacts: Visiting Universal Orlando Resort FAQs

What if I have a ticket to visit Universal Orlando’s theme parks during the parks’ closures?

Guests with tickets to visit Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure on Thursday, October 10 – or Universal Volcano Bay on Wednesday, October 9 or Thursday, October 10 – will be able to use their tickets to visit any day through Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Guests won’t need to call or visit Guest Services – they can proceed directly to the entrance gate on the date of their choosing and present their ticket for admission.

Can I change my hotel reservation/vacation package if I was planning to visit when the parks will be closed?

Yes, guests can make modifications to their existing hotel reservations and/or vacation packages booked through UPRV by calling (800) 711-0080.

What if I purchased a Universal Express Pass for the date(s) that the parks will be closed?

Guests who purchased a Universal Express pass for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for Thursday, October 10 – or for Universal Volcano Bay for either Wednesday, October 9 or Thursday, October 10 – will be able to use their Express pass on any day through Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Guests won’t need to call or visit Guest Services – they can proceed directly to the attraction entrance during their visit and present their Universal Express Pass for access.

What if I booked a VIP Tour for Thursday, October 10?

Guests with scheduled VIP Tours for Thursday, October 10 can contact the VIP Experience team at (866) 346-9350 to reschedule their tour. Please note that tour dates are based on availability.

What if I booked a Volcano Bay cabana for October 9 or 10?

Our Guest Services team will call guests with current Volcano Bay cabana reservations on October 9 or 10 to reschedule their visit.

What if I booked the Marvel Character Dining experience for Thursday, October 10?

Guests with Marvel Character Dining reservations for Thursday, October 10 will be contacted by the Universal Orlando team to reschedule their visit and discuss their options.

What happens if I purchased a ticket for Universal Great Movie Escape for Wednesday, October 9/Thursday, October 10?

Our Guest Services team will contact guests who have purchased tickets for Universal Great Movie Escape on either Wednesday, October 9 or Thursday, October 10 to reschedule their visit.

What do I need to do if I currently have a dining reservation during the destination’s closure?

All dining reservations currently scheduled during the destination’s closure will be cancelled. Impacted guests will receive a text message with a rebooking link if they’d like to reschedule their reservation for another date.

Will there be Early Park Admission at the theme parks this week?

Yes, Early Park Admission will continue as scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, but will not be available on Thursday, October 10 due to the parks’ closure. Plans for Early Park Admission on Friday, October 11 will be communicated at a later time – please stay tuned to our website for the latest updates.

Hurricane Milton Impacts: Halloween Horror Nights FAQ

What if I have a ticket to visit Halloween Horror Nights on Wednesday, October 9 or Thursday, October 10?

Guests with Halloween Horror Nights tickets dated for entry on Wednesday, October 9 or Thursday, October 10 will be able to use their tickets on any one of the remaining nights of the event. Guests won’t need to call or visit Guest Services – they can proceed directly to the entrance gate on the night of their choosing and present their ticket for admission.

Can I change my hotel reservation/vacation package for Halloween Horror Nights if I was planning to visit on Wednesday, October 9 or Thursday, October 10?

Yes, guests can make modifications to their existing hotel reservations and/or vacation packages booked through UPRV by calling (800) 711-0080.

What if I purchased a Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass for one of the cancelled event dates?

Guests who purchased a Halloween Horror Nights Express pass for Wednesday, October 9 or Thursday, October 10 will be able to use their pass on any one of the remaining nights of the event. Guests won’t need to call or visit Guest Services – they can proceed directly to the haunted house or attraction entrance and present their Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass for access.

What if I booked a RIP Tour or Unmasking the Horror Tour for one of the cancelled event dates?

Guests with R.I.P. Tour or Unmasking the Horror Tour reservations for Wednesday, October 9 and Thursday, October 10 can contact the VIP Experience team at (866) 346-9350 to reschedule their tour. Please note that tour dates are based on availability.

Will Premier Passholders be able to use their free admission to Halloween Horror Nights on another night?

Yes, due to the cancellation of Halloween Horror Nights on 10/9 and 10/10, we’ve added two new dates – 10/16 and 10/17 – that Premier Passholders can use their free, one-night admission entitlement to Halloween Horror Nights 2024. The complete list of available dates Premier Passholders can use this benefit are: October 16, 17, 18, 20, 27 and 30; and November 1, 2 and 3.

Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations™ Severe Weather Policy

While an incredible vacation awaits at Universal Orlando Resort™, unfortunately we can’t make guarantees about the weather, but your travel plans can still be stress-free. In the event that a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center or a state of emergency is declared for the Orlando area or in your place of residence, within seven days of your arrival, you can contact our team in advance to reschedule or cancel your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations Package, hotel room only accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets booked directly with Universal Orlando, without any cancellation or change fees imposed. If you have purchased airline tickets as part of your Universal Parks and Resorts Vacations package, you may still be subject to cancellation and change fees assessed by those airlines.

If you have purchased Universal Orlando products and services through third-party suppliers, travel agents or tour operators please contact them directly for information regarding their cancellation or change policies and procedures. The policy does not apply to certain special events, dining experiences or group related bookings.

We want you to feel safe and will work with you directly to best accommodate your needs. If you have additional questions or need to change or cancel your travel plans, please contact a member of our Guest Contact Center team by calling 800-711-0080.

Terms & Conditions:

If you have purchased Universal Orlando products and services through third-party suppliers, travel agents or tour operators please contact them directly for information regarding their cancellation or change policies and procedures.
Waiver of cancellation or modification fees applies to hotel accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets when booked through Universal Orlando including when purchased as part of a Universal Parks and Resorts Vacations package.
Please note that this policy does not apply to hotel reservations, whether booked as room only or as part of a vacation package, when made after a Hurricane or Tropical Storm warning has been issued or state of emergency is declared for either Orlando or your place of residence.
Availability of same accommodations and room rates cannot be guaranteed for rescheduled vacations dates.
If you have purchased airline tickets as part of your Universal Parks and Resorts Vacations package, you may still be subject to cancellation and change fees assessed by those airlines.
The policy does not apply to certain group related bookings including special events. Guests with group rates must contact their respective meeting/group planner directly for cancellation policy.
Guests calling to cancel or modify bookings must be 18 years of age or older.
If you have purchased a Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations package via travel financing with Uplift you will not be charged interest as a result of a cancelled vacation due to a hurricane or tropical storm.

About the Author: John Yaglenski

Public Figure, Entrepreneur, @INTERCOT Founder, Communications/IT Exec, Photographer, Graphic Designer, Disney Nut, Gadget Guy, LOWD Dayton Flyer, Husband & Dad.