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This past week we watched as Hurricane Ian loomed large over Florida, here in Central Florida, theme parks and attractions announced temporary closures as they prepared for the arrival of the storm. Walt Disney World closed it's theme parks for only the ninth time in the resorts history, and now that the parks have fully re-opened, Disney have thanked their incredibly hard working cast members who looked after the thousands of guests who were staying at the resorts hotels throughout the storm. Ahead of the storm, cast worked together to ready the theme parks and other locations across the resort – from securing outdoor areas, to packing thousands of meal kits for guests staying in our resort hotels and everything in between. While the storm made its way across Orlando, cast members continued to be there for the guests, keeping spirits high around resorts with special character greetings, movie screenings and recreational activities for everyone. In a message to cast members, Disney commented "Now that we’ve officially reopened, it’s been so sweet seeing smiles inside our theme parks once again. What makes it even more special is knowing how hard teams worked to clear debris and prepare the parks so we could start spreading some much-needed pixie dust as quickly as possible." They went on to say thanks "To the hurricane prep & ride out cast and crew members: thank you. We often say that you’re the magic of Walt Disney World Resort, and that statement proved true once again." For information on Disney’s hurricane relief efforts, visit DisneyDisasterRelief.com. Disney even shared pictures from hotel guests who shared these experiences on social media, and recognizing cast members through #CastCompliments.

Harveys have teased us with another preview of their soon to be released EPCOT 40th Anniversary Collection, and we don't need to use our imagination, its a Plush Figment Crossbody Bag. This Plush Crossbody is inspired by everyone’s favorite playful dragon - Figment, and comes with a seatbelt crossbody strap featuring the EPCOT Pavilion Symbols. It was originally planned to release the Disney EPCOT 40th Anniversary collection in EPCOT today, Saturday October 1 for EPCOT's 40th Anniversary, but due to Hurricane Ian, the release has been delayed. The collection will be released on Tuesday, October 4th, the collection will be available in the Creations Shop in EPCOT, and online at Shop Disney.

Today October 1, is an important milestone for Walt Disney's Florida Project, back in the day Walt called it his Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, now in 2022, we simply call it EPCOT. Sadly to celebrate such an important milestone in a theme parks lifetime, Walt Disney World is putting little effort into the big event, with little more than special food and drink items for sale, and of course a huge collection of merchandise. Today October 1st, guests arriving at the park are receiving a special commemorative park map, as well as a bright and colourful commemorative poster. As for decor, the entrance plaza poles have been wrapped in special EPCOT 40 vinyl, there is EPCOT 40 banners spread throughout the park, plus the barges are lit up showing the EPCOT 40 logo. Inside the EPCOT 40 merchandise filled Creations Shop you will discover a nice retro Minnie and Mickey display. Today's 40th entertainment comprises a special 40 Years oF EPCOT ceremony taking place at 11 am in the American Garden Theater, and there will also be a special Beacons of Magic show this evening, beginning at sunset.

Disney PhotoPass is helping guests celebrate EPCOT's 40th Anniversary today with a brand new Magic Shot. Beginning today, Saturday, October 1, DisneyPhoto Pass photographers will be capture this new Magic Shot at the main entrance of the park.

International Drive's popular ICON Park has announced that The Wheel At ICON Park has re-opened today, Saturday, October 1, and to celebrate throughout this weekend, a percentage of proceeds from tickets will be donated to Florida hurricane relief efforts. ICON Park is also continuing to offer FREE tickets this weekend to the Carousel on The Promenade which re-opened yesterday on Friday, September 30.

Today October 1, EPCOT at Walt DISNEY WORLD celebrates it's 40th Anniversary and as the park opened, guests made a beeline for the theme parks main store, Creations Shop, in a desperate bid to be near the front of the queues for must have EPCOT 40 merchandise. As guests began to wait in line, the lines kept on getting longer, with the queue stretching half way around the park, with a reported wait times in excess of four hours. The queue starts near the Living Seas, winding its way through World Nature, and into World Celebration to the parks main merchandise location Creations Shop. Plus, as will all major merchandise releases at Walt Disney World, certain guests are loading up strollers with dozens of the same items, purchasing the merchandise to sell online.

Today, October 1st is the 40th anniversary of EPCOT, and today's the day to grab your anniversary food and beverage items that are available for the 40th today. Since opening in 1982, the park has allowed guests who have passed through its gates to get a glimpse into the future, travel the world while experiencing different cultures, and take their taste buds on a journey through delicious food festivals. The possibilities have been endless and will continue to be with the exciting plans that lie ahead in the future of this iconic theme park. To celebrate this momentous occasion, it’s only fitting to have some tasty treats, and for select days surrounding the anniversary, various locations will be serving up eats and sips honoring 40 years of fun and flavors. From the EPCOT 40th Liege Waffle at the recently opened Connections Café to the Figment Sponge Cake at Sunshine Seasons, and the Dan Dan Noodles at Nine Dragons Restaurant, there is something for everyone to get a taste of the celebrations. Connections Café (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3) EPCOT 40th Liege Waffle: Brioche dough with pearl sugar Choza de Margarita (Available beginning Sept. 30 while supplies last) 40th Fiesta: Celebrate the colors for the anniversary of EPCOT with this frozen margarita in a “MEXICO 40” souvenir cup Funnel Cake (Available Oct. 1 and 2) Celebration Funnel Cake with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, sprinkles, and 40th candies Garden House (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3) Sake Cocktail Flight featuring Samurai, Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Sunset, and Violet Sake La Hacienda de San Angel and San Angel Inn (Available beginning Sept. 30 while supplies last) Flan: Vanilla custard topped with blueberries, whipped cream, and a “MEXICO 40” white chocolate garnish Clarified Margarita: Tequila, orange liqueur, lemon, and simple syrup in a “MEXICO 40” souvenir cup with glow cube Nine Dragons Restaurant (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3) Dan Dan Noodles: Spicy pork with Sichuan sauce, peanut butter, sesame, shredded cucumber, and green onion Space 220 Restaurant (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3) Crema Catalana: Vanilla cream custard, lemon snow, citrus segments, and spicy ginger crumble Sunshine Seasons (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3) Figment Sponge Cake with honey-lime mousse Teppan Edo (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3) EPCOT 40th Saketini: The saketini was on the menu when the Japan Pavilion first opened. This version combines sake and butterfly pea flower to create the color reminiscent of the night sky of EPCOT Tokyo Dining (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3) EPCOT 40th Kaisen Chirashi Don: Celebration sushi bowl EPCOT 40th Saketini: The saketini was on the menu when the Japan Pavilion first opened. This version combines sake and butterfly pea flower to create the color reminiscent of the night sky of EPCOT (Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)

Due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian, the reopening of the Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs has been delayed. The Treehouse Villas were closed ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Ian earlier this week, with guests transferred to other resorts within Walt Disney World. Disney had announced that the villas were expected to reopen on October 3, 2022, but the company has nowupdated that timeline, saying that the villas will remain temporarily closed. While no severe damage has been suffered at the villas, its believed that due to the dense landscaping around the villas, the area requires more cleanup time than Walt Disney World's other resort areas.

Walt Disney World have confirmed that after today's, Friday September 30 phased re-opening of it's theme parks, tomorrow Saturday, October 1, it's theme parks will return to normal operation hours. Tomorrow is Walt Disney World's 51st birthday and Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT (which also celebrates its 40th birthday tomorrow) will be fully back to normal following this weeks Hurricane Ian. Tomorrow's Opening Hours: Magic Kingdom: Early Entry from 8:30a.m., Open from 9:00a.m. to 11:00p.m. EPCOT: Early Entry from 8:00a.m., Open from 8:30a.m. to 9:00p.m. Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Early Entry from 8:00a.m., Open from 8:30a.m. to 9:00p.m. Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Early Entry from 7:30a.m., Open from 8:00a.m. to 8:00p.m.

Walt Disney World have confirmed that the last of its attractions set to re-open after the resorts enforced closure this week due to Hurricane Ian. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park will re-open on Sunday morning, October 2, 2022. 10 am until 5pm. When Typhoon Lagoon opens on Sunday it will conclude a dramatic week for Florida's largest tourist attraction, having to prepare for a massive storm, closing theme parks, keeping thousands of guests safe during the storm, and of course cleaning up, and re-opening. It has been a huge undertaking for all the cast member involved, so when you see them in the parks, or in the hotels this weekend, smile and thank them.

SeaWorld Orlando have announced that they will return to normal operations tomorrow, Saturday, September 1, 2002, welcoming guests back after being closed for Hurricane Ian. All parks will be operating as normal, SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, and SeaWorld's water park Aquatica. The after hours, halloween event, SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream will return tomorrow evening also. Saturday, October 1, 2022 Opening Hours SeaWorld Orlando: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream: 7 p.m. - 12 a.m. Aquatica Orlando: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Discovery Cove: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

LEGOLAND FloridaResort has announced that they will re-open tomorrow, Saturday, October 1, 2002 after being temporarily closed due to Hurricane Ian. LEGOLAND Theme Park will reopen at 10 a.m. for regular operating hours including Brick-or-Treat Presents Monster Party. Peppa Pig Theme Park will open at noon tomorrow. LEGOLAND FLORIDA say that certain park experiences may not be available, and have announced that LEGOLAND Water Park will remain temporarily closed.