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As Hurricane Idalia threatens Florida as a major category 3 storm, we will keep you up to date with current closures, operational information, and updates from throughout Central Florida. Welcome to our coverage of Hurricane Idalia. Theme Parks / Attractions Entertainment / Events Transportation Airports Shops School Closures Emergency Shelters As we keep a close eye on Hurricane Idalia and the impact that the storm is having here in Central Florida, we are providing updates and information on current closures throughout the area. Here you will find the latest news and closure information on theme parks, attractions, airports, transportation, shops and more. Also, for LIVE UPDATES on the storm and it's impact on Central Florida, CLICK HERE. Hurricane Idalia: Closures and Updates We will be updating this page throughout the storm, stay safe everyone! Theme Parks / Attractions Walt Disney World Here is the latest from Walt Disney World: For Guests staying at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground: As Disney continues to monitor the weather, they are asking that all Fort Wilderness Guests remove and stow all outside items, including décor, and take in camper awnings by 6 PM on Tuesday, August 29. If you’d like to depart early or discuss alternate options for your vacation, please contact (407) 939-2744. Travel Flexibility: At this time, change and cancellation fees imposed by Disney will be waived for check-in dates of August 28, 2023 through September 5, 2023. Guests currently staying at our Disney Resort hotels whose travel plans have been impacted by the storm may receive a discounted rate to extend their stay through the evening of August 31, if needed, by visiting the front desk. Evacuees & First Responders Support: Florida residents evacuating from the storm and first responders assisting in storm-related recovery efforts may also receive 50% off Disney Resort hotel stays on the evenings of August 29-31, 2023. For evacuees, please call (407) W-DISNEY for details. For first responders, please call (407) 828-3200 (Option 3). This applies to new bookings only and is based on availability. Storm Recovery: Walt Disney World is prepared to once again serve as a staging area for storm-related recovery efforts for the state of Florida. For Guests looking to modify or cancel their Disney Resort hotel reservations, please visit DisneyWorld.com/Plans. Universal Orlando Resort Universal Orlando Resort theme parks including Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay are planning to open and operate as normal at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30. However, they will not offer Early Park Admission benefit for on-site hotel guests, select Annual Passholders and other select travel trade clients on this day while teams prepare the parks for opening after the storm. Hotels remain operational as they focus on taking care of guests. Leu Gardens For the safety and security of visitors and staff, Harry P. Leu Gardens will be CLOSED on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. They hope to resume normal operating hours on Thursday, August 31, 2023, pending a full inspection of the Gardens following the storm. SeaWorld Orlando SeaWorld Orlando will open at noon on Wednesday, August 30. Aquatica Orlando Aquatica Orlando will be closed on Wednesday, August 30, with normal operations expected to resume on Thursday, August 31. All date-intended tickets for closure days have been extended through August 31, 2024 and requires no action to be taken. Discovery Cove Discovery Cove will operate normal hours Tuesday, August 29, and will be closed Wednesday, August 30. Normal operations will resume on Thursday, August 31. Icon Park Orlando In anticipation of the storm arrival, entertainment destination Icon Park on International Drive has announced that The Wheel and Carousel will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 3 For further questions on other ICON Park restaurants and attractions, please contact their business directly. Zoo Tampa ZooTampa at Lowry Park will be closed to guests on Tuesday, August 29, for storm preparations and on Wednesday, August 30, for projected severe weather. Currently they plan to re-open on Thursday following a thorough park safety assessment. Zoo School will be closed from Tuesday, August 29 through Thursday, August 31. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Due to the projected path of Tropical Storm Idalia, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has enacted its Named Storm Policy and will close at 3 p.m. Tuesday August 29 and remain closed Wednesday, August 30. The park currently plans to reopen on Thursday, August 31. Adventure Island Water Park Adventure Island Tampa Bay will be closed Tuesday, August 29 through Thursday, August 31. The park plans to reopen on Friday, September 1. Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens will close at noon on Tuesday, 8/29. They hope to open again on Thursday, August 31 after a chance to assess and make any necessary repairs. St. Pete's Dalí Museum The Museum will be closed Aug 29, 2023. They will continue to monitor the weather for when they can safely reopen. The Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, will be closed Monday, August 28 through Wednesday, August 30. They will continue to monitor the weather and make an official reopening announcement as they know more. Clearwater Marine Aquarium Clearwater Marine Aquarium will be closing at 3pm, Monday, Aug. 28 and will remain closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Entertainment / Events Amailie Arena, Tampa The Suicideboys show originally scheduled for Tuesday, August 29 has been postponed until Sunday, November 5, 2023. Hold on to your original tickets as they will be valid for the new date. The Abbey, Orlando Wednesday nights Candlelight Experience: A Tribute to Queen has been postponed. Ticket holders should have received an email from Fever with additional information. Will's Pub, Orlando Wednesday nights show featuring Ben Nichols, Lulu and the Black Sheep, Oliver Peck iscancelled due to inclement weather. All tickets will be refunded ASAP. Transportation SunRail SunRail services will be suspended Tuesday, 8/29, to allow SunRail to begin working to prepare the corridor and render it safe prior to the impending storm. For more information on how SunRail prepares for severe weather click here. Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority(LYNX) The SWAN Shuttle will not operate until Friday due to the storm. As part of the pilot plan LYMMO buses will operate the Orange Line. There are no other changes to service levels at this time. If sustained winds reach 35 mph from Tropical Storm Idalia the LYNX transit system will shut down temporarily for safety reasons. Road Rangers will patrol I-4 until Central Florida reaches sustained winds of 35 mph, at which time they will be pulled off the street and return when it is deemed safe. Toll Roads The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) suspended tolls in Citrus, Hernando Hillsborough, Lake, Pasco, Pinellas and Sumter counties as of 4 a.m. ET on Tuesday. In addition, as wind becomes stronger later today and into the night, FDOT will coordinate with local law enforcement to close bridges once speeds reach in excess of 40 miles per hour. Amtrak Amtrak has announced that it is canceling several trains and modifying routes in advance of Hurricane Idalia. The rail line has so far canceled 12 East Coast routes on Tuesday and Wednesday that originate in or terminate in the Orlando and Miami areas. Those routes are the Auto Train, Silver Star, and Silver Meteor. Amtrak has also shortened Palmetto routes on Tuesday and Wednesday. Amtrak have called the measures “a safety precaution for customers and employees.” Port Canaveral The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) has set hurricane condition "ZULU" for Port Canaveral: Sustained gale force winds are predicted within 12 hours. Port Canaveral is now closed and has ceased all waterside and vessel shoreside Port operations until further notice. Based on current forecasts and storm information, Port Canaveral is not issuing a marina evacuation order for Hurricane Idalia. Vessels berthed at marinas located in Port Canaveral should consult with their marina owner/operator and comply with marina specific requirements and precautions. Airports FAA Update The Federal Aviation Administration has announced that they have started rerouting planes and closing Gulf routes today as Idalia continues to target Florida. The agency say it is possible that they may have to pause flights in and out of Palm Beach International Airport, Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Tampa International Airport Tampa International Airport will suspend all commercial operations beginning at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia, with the Airport remaining closed until it can assess any damages later in the week. The closure will allow the Airport and its partners to prepare the airfield and terminals, including the securing of jet bridges, ground equipment and any remaining aircraft before Idalia’s expected landfall early Wednesday as a potential major hurricane. Some cargo and private aircraft operations could continue overnight, but all air traffic will cease by 7 a.m. Tuesday morning. The Airport, including the Main Terminal and Airsides will be closed to all visitors and is not equipped to function as a shelter. The Airport anticipates reopening Thursday morning, with damage assessments beginning after the storm passes. TPA will closely coordinate the reopening of the Airport with its partners based on roadway safety, facility readiness and staffing. Any changes to the timing will be promptly communicated. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport PIE will close 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 29th due to Tropical Storm Idalia and plans to reopen Wednesday, August 30th at 3:00 pm. Passengers should check with their airline for flight information updates. Orlando International Airport Orlando International Airport have shared their latest update on the storm, Tuesday, 3.30 pm. Here is the update in full: Operational Update - Hurricane Idalia Based upon the current forecast of Hurricane Idalia, our airport will remain open and maintain a state of readiness. If conditions warrant, a temporary cessation of commercial operations may occur. Please continue to work with your airline in regards to your travel plans. For general airport delays, please visit: https://nasstatus.faa.gov/ Orlando Sanford International Airport Orlando Sanford International Airport is open & operational. They are monitoring Hurricane Idalia closely and there may be flight disruptions. Allegiant Flight Alert: All 8/30/2023 flights canceled due to the hurricane. Normal operations are scheduled to resume on 8/31/2023. Melbourne Orlando International Airport MLB is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Idalia as it approaches the Florida peninsula. At this time, operations are normal. Daytona Beach International Airport DAB is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Idalia. The airport is open and operational but as the storm moves closer, there could be a disruption to air service. Shops Publix Publix have adjusted hours for 181 Florida stores in preparation for Hurricane Idalia. The stores with modified hours are in locations that are expected to be impacted by Hurricane Idalia. Stores along the west coast near Tampa and Sarasota are scheduled to close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, and reopen on Wednesday at 9 a.m. For a list of Publix locations and hours, visit the store’s website here. Winn-Dixie Winn-Dixie have closed dozens of its grocery stores in Florida, including Orlando. For a full list of closures and locations, visit the stores website here. Schools As Hurricane Idalia affects Central Florida, we will be keeping yo up to date with all the latest school closures. Here is a list county-by-county. Orange County Important update for OCPS families: Based on this morning’s forecast, sustained wind speeds will exceed 35 MPH on the west side of Orange County and as a result there will be no school for students on Wednesday, Aug. 30. All after-school activities must end tonight by 8 p.m. and will be canceled for Wednesday. OCPS are planning on resuming school on Thursday, Aug. 31. Osceola County Earlier today Osceola County announced that schools in the county are expected to remain open tomorrow, but now that decision has been changed. This afternoon, Governor Ron DeSantis amended Executive Order 23-171 for Hurricane Idalia to now include Osceola County. As such, all Osceola district public schools will be closed on Wednesday, August 30. All district offices and school campuses will also be closed. All after-school school activities, events, and programs are cancelled today and tomorrow. At this time, plans are to reopen schools and district departments on Thursday, August 31. Seminole County School officials in Seminole County said afterschool activities and evets will continue as usual on Tuesday, Aug. 29. Seminole County public schools will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Officials said they will provide an update on resuming school and extracurricular activities at a later date. Lake County All after-school events are canceled Tuesday for Lake County public schools, with the exception of Extended Learning Centers, which will be open until 6 p.m. Parents, however, are asked to pick up their children from ELC as early as possible. Schools and offices will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 29. The Villages Elementary and Lost Lake Elementary will be used as storm shelters. Both will serve special-needs guests and are pet-friendly. Lake County expects to reopen schools and offices on Thursday. Rollins College Tuesday evening classes remain as scheduled. On Wednesday, August 30, no in-person classes will be held. Faculty will implement their hurricane plan from their syllabi, which allows for alternative instructional modalities (ex. a virtual option, alternative assignment, etc.) All in-person campus programming and activities are cancelled Wednesday. . Valencia College Valencia College will be closed on Wednesday, 8/30, due to the potential impact of Hurricane Idalia. In-person and online classes will not be held during this time. University of Central Florida Academic and most campus operations are suspended Wednesday, Aug. 30. Students, faculty, and staff should remain indoors and off the roads during periods of possible intermittent tropical winds and weather. Standard operations will continue through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, and are planned to resume Thursday, Aug. 31. Emergency Shelters Emergency shelters are now open in Central Florida ahead of Hurricane Idalia's arrival. Here is a list of shelters by county. Brevard County None open as of Tuesday morning. Citrus County Central Ridge Elementary School (General Population) - 185 West Citrus Springs Blvd., Citrus Springs, FL 34434 Citrus High School (General Population) - 600 West Highland Blvd., Inverness, FL 34452 Citrus Springs Middle School (General Population) - 150 W Citrus Springs Blvd, Citrus Springs, FL 34434 Central Ridge Elementary School (General) - 185 W Citrus Springs Blvd, Citrus Springs, FL 34434 Forest Ridge Elementary School (Special Needs) - 2927 North Forest Ridge Blvd., Hernando, FL 34442 Renaissance Center (Pet Friendly) - 3630 W Educational Path, Lecanto, FL 34461 College of Central Florida (last resort option) - 3800 S Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461 Dixie County Shelters will open at 9 a.m. at Dixie County High School and Bell Middle/High Schools (shelter needs), according to Dixie County Fire Rescue. Flagler County None open as of Tuesday morning. Lake County Lake County will open two shelters at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Both can assist general population, those with special needs, and those with pets. Villages Elementary – 695 Rolling Acres Road, Lady Lake Lost Lake Elementary – 1901 Johns Lake Road, Clermont Marion County Emergency Shelters West Port High School will open as a special needs shelter starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28. The below general population shelters will open to the public on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 8 a.m Forest High School, 5000 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, FL Horizon Academy, 365 Marion Oaks Drive, Ocala, FL Lake Weir High School, 10351 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, FL (Pet-Friendly) North Marion Middle School, 2085 W Highway 329, Citra, FL Vanguard High School, 7 NW 28th Street, Ocala, FL (Pet-Friendly) Orange County Shelters will open by 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29. All shelters are pet friendly. Barnett Park & Gym, 4801 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808 South Econ Recreation Center, 3800 S Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, FL 32829 Special/Medical Needs Shelters (Call 311 or 407-836-3111) Silver Star Recreation Center, 2801 N Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32818 Goldenrod Recreation Center, 4863 N Goldenrod Rd, Winter Park, FL 32792 Osceola County Officials said they are not opening shelters at this time but will monitor the storm’s development and have them on standby. Polk County General population shelters will open at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Tenoroc High School – Pet Friendly - 4905 Saddle Creek Rd. - Lakeland Mulberry Middle School - 500 Martin Luther King Ave. - Mulberry Horizons Elementary - 1700 Forest Lake Drive - Davenport Chain of Lakes Elementary - 7001 CR 653 - Winter Haven Spessard L. Holland Elementary - 2342 EF Griffin Road - Bartow George Jenkins High School - 6000 Lakeland Highlands Road - Lakeland Shelter needs: If you need transportation, you need to call (863) 298-7027 on Tuesday between 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. Department of Health-Polk County Specialty Care Unit, 1255 Brice Blvd., Bartow Seminole County None open as of Tuesday morning, according to Seminole County's website. Sumter County Sumter County will open shelters at 4 p.m. on Tuesday: Sumter Fairgrounds, 7620 SR 471. Webster, FL 33597 Special Needs Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Road, Wildwood, FL 34785 Volusia County General Population Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3150 E New York AveDeLand, FL 32724 Special Needs Florida Department of Health, 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach Homeless Hester Building, Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3150 E New York AveDeLand, FL 32724 For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date on our socials, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, your free guide to Orlando. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

Hurricane Idalia continues to intensify, and as the major storm threatens to target Florida in the coming days, we will keep you updated with all the latest from the theme parks. As Idalia continues to set a course for Florida, the storm is forecast to be a major hurricane as it makes landfall on Wednesday. With much of the state forecast to experience severe weather, area theme parks are making plans to prepare for the worst of the weather. Throughout the storm we will keep you up to date with all the latest from the local theme parks. THEME PARK UPDATES: Walt Disney World Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, plus Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on August 30. For Guests staying at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground: As Disney continues to monitor the weather, they are asking that all Fort Wilderness Guests remove and stow all outside items, including décor, and take in camper awnings by 6 PM on Tuesday, August 29. If you’d like to depart early or discuss alternate options for your vacation, please contact (407) 939-2744. Travel Flexibility: At this time, change and cancellation fees imposed by Disney will be waived for check-in dates of August 28, 2023 through September 5, 2023. Guests currently staying at our Disney Resort hotels whose travel plans have been impacted by the storm may receive a discounted rate to extend their stay through the evening of August 31, if needed, by visiting the front desk. Evacuees & First Responders Support: Florida residents evacuating from the storm and first responders assisting in storm-related recovery efforts may also receive 50% off Disney Resort hotel stays on the evenings of August 29-31, 2023. For evacuees, please call (407) W-DISNEY for details. For first responders, please call (407) 828-3200 (Option 3). This applies to new bookings only and is based on availability. Storm Recovery: Walt Disney World is prepared to once again serve as a staging area for storm-related recovery efforts for the state of Florida. If you’d like to depart early or discuss alternate options for your vacation, please contact WDW at (407) 939-2744. For Guests looking to modify or cancel their Disney Resort hotel reservations, please visit DisneyWorld.com/Plans. Universal Orlando Resort Universal Orlando Resort theme parks including Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay are planning to open and operate as normal at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30. However, they will not offer Early Park Admission benefit for on-site hotel guests, select Annual Passholders and other select travel trade clients on this day while teams prepare the parks for opening after the storm. Hotels remain operational as they focus on taking care of guests. SeaWorld Orlando SeaWorld Orlando has announced operational updates for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 30. SeaWorld Orlando will open at noon on Wednesday, August 30. Aquatica Orlando will be closed on Wednesday, August 30, with normal operations expected to resume on Thursday, August 31. All date-intended tickets for closure days have been extended through August 31, 2024 and requires no action to be taken. Discovery Cove will operate normal hours Tuesday, August 29, and will be closed Wednesday, August 30. Normal operations will resume on Thursday, August 31 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Due to the projected path of Tropical Storm Idalia, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has enacted its Named Storm Policy and will close at 3 p.m. Tuesday August 29 and remain closed Wednesday, August 30. The park currently plans to reopen on Thursday, August 31. In a statement the park commented, "Precautions are in place following the parks’ comprehensive weather preparedness plan to ensure the safety of our animals and ambassadors during this time." Also at Busch Gardens, Adventure Island Water Park is closing also. Adventure Island Tampa Bay will be closed Tuesday, August 29 through Thursday, August 31. The park plans to reopen on Friday, September 1. LEGOLAND Florida / Peppa Pig Theme Park LEGOLAND Florida Resort will remain open tomorrow, Wednesday, 8/30. While the parks and hotels will be open, guests may experience limited park operations due to weather conditions. Learn more at http://LEGOLAND.com/hurricane. Peppa Pig Theme Park will remain open tomorrow, Wednesday, 8/30. While our Resort will be open, guests may experience limited park operations due to weather conditions. Learn more at http://PeppaPigThemePark.com/hurricane. For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date on our socials, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, your free guide to Orlando. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

Hurricane Idalia continues to intensify, and as the major storm threatens to target Florida in the coming days, we will keep you updated with all the latest from the theme parks. As Hurricane Idalia continues to set a course for Florida, the storm is forecast to be a major hurricane as it makes landfall on Wednesday. With much of the state forecast to experience severe weather, area theme parks are making plans to prepare for the worst of the weather. Throughout the storm we will keep you up to date with all the latest from the time parks. Also, for LIVE UPDATES on the storm and it's impact on Central Florida, CLICK HERE. THEME PARK UPDATES Walt Disney World Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, plus Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on August 30. For Guests staying at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground: As Disney continues to monitor the weather, they are asking that all Fort Wilderness Guests remove and stow all outside items, including décor, and take in camper awnings by 6 PM on Tuesday, August 29. If you’d like to depart early or discuss alternate options for your vacation, please contact (407) 939-2744. Travel Flexibility: At this time, change and cancellation fees imposed by Disney will be waived for check-in dates of August 28, 2023 through September 5, 2023. Guests currently staying at our Disney Resort hotels whose travel plans have been impacted by the storm may receive a discounted rate to extend their stay through the evening of August 31, if needed, by visiting the front desk. Evacuees & First Responders Support: Florida residents evacuating from the storm and first responders assisting in storm-related recovery efforts may also receive 50% off Disney Resort hotel stays on the evenings of August 29-31, 2023. For evacuees, please call (407) W-DISNEY for details. For first responders, please call (407) 828-3200 (Option 3). This applies to new bookings only and is based on availability. Storm Recovery: Walt Disney World is prepared to once again serve as a staging area for storm-related recovery efforts for the state of Florida. If you’d like to depart early or discuss alternate options for your vacation, please contact WDW at (407) 939-2744. For Guests looking to modify or cancel their Disney Resort hotel reservations, please visit DisneyWorld.com/Plans. Universal Orlando Resort Universal Orlando Resort theme parks including Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay are planning to open and operate as normal at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30. However, they will not offer Early Park Admission benefit for on-site hotel guests, select Annual Passholders and other select travel trade clients on this day while teams prepare the parks for opening after the storm. Hotels remain operational as they focus on taking care of guests. SeaWorld Orlando SeaWorld Orlando has announced operational updates for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 30. SeaWorld Orlando will open at noon on Wednesday, August 30. Aquatica Orlando will be closed on Wednesday, August 30, with normal operations expected to resume on Thursday, August 31. All date-intended tickets for closure days have been extended through August 31, 2024 and requires no action to be taken. Discovery Cove will operate normal hours Tuesday, August 29, and will be closed Wednesday, August 30. Normal operations will resume on Thursday, August 31 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Due to the projected path of Tropical Storm Idalia, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has enacted its Named Storm Policy and will close at 3 p.m. Tuesday August 29 and remain closed Wednesday, August 30. The park currently plans to reopen on Thursday, August 31. In a statement the park commented, "Precautions are in place following the parks’ comprehensive weather preparedness plan to ensure the safety of our animals and ambassadors during this time." Also at Busch Gardens, Adventure Island Water Park is closing also. Adventure Island Tampa Bay will be closed Tuesday, August 29 through Thursday, August 31. The park plans to reopen on Friday, September 1. LEGOLAND Florida / Peppa Pig Theme Park LEGOLAND Florida Resort will remain open tomorrow, Wednesday, 8/30. While the parks and hotels will be open, guests may experience limited park operations due to weather conditions. Learn more at http://LEGOLAND.com/hurricane. Peppa Pig Theme Park will remain open tomorrow, Wednesday, 8/30. While our Resort will be open, guests may experience limited park operations due to weather conditions. Learn more at http://PeppaPigThemePark.com/hurricane. For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date on our socials, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, your free guide to Orlando. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

As Hurricane Idalia continues to grow rapidly and readies to come ashore as a major hurricane, SeaWorld Orlando have announced changes to its operating hours. With Hurricane Idalia set to slam the state's west coast as a dangerous life threatening hurricane, SeaWorld Orlando has announced operational updates for tomorrow, Wednesday, August 30. Here is the latest information for SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Discovery Cove: SeaWorld Orlando will open at noon on Wednesday, August 30. Aquatica Orlando will be closed on Wednesday, August 30, with normal operations expected to resume on Thursday, August 31. All date-intended tickets for closure days have been extended through August 31, 2024 and requires no action to be taken. Discovery Cove will operate normal hours Tuesday, August 29, and will be closed Wednesday, August 30. Normal operations will resume on Thursday, August 31. For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date on our socials, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, your free guide to Orlando. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

As Tropical Storm Idalia continues to intensify, Walt Disney World has announced that it is closing its water park and miniature golf courses. As Hurricane Idalia continues on its path towards Florida, Walt Disney World has issues an update on its preparations for the storm ahead of its arrival Wednesday. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, plus Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on August 30. In addition, Walt Disney World issued the following info earlier today: For Guests staying at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground: As we continue to monitor the weather, we are asking that all Fort Wilderness Guests remove and stow all outside items, including décor, and take in camper awnings by 6 PM on Tuesday, August 29. If you’d like to depart early or discuss alternate options for your vacation, please contact us at (407) 939-2744. Travel Flexibility: At this time, change and cancellation fees imposed by Disney will be waived for check-in dates of August 28, 2023 through September 5, 2023. Guests currently staying at our Disney Resort hotels whose travel plans have been impacted by the storm may receive a discounted rate to extend their stay through the evening of August 31, if needed, by visiting the front desk. Evacuees & First Responders Support: Florida residents evacuating from the storm and first responders assisting in storm-related recovery efforts may also receive 50% off Disney Resort hotel stays on the evenings of August 29-31, 2023. For evacuees, please call (407) W-DISNEY for details. For first responders, please call (407) 828-3200 (Option 3). This applies to new bookings only and is based on availability. Storm Recovery: Walt Disney World is prepared to once again serve as a staging area for storm-related recovery efforts for the state of Florida. For Guests looking to modify or cancel their Disney Resort hotel reservations, please visit DisneyWorld.com/Plans For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date on our socials, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, your free guide to Orlando. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

As Tropical Storm Idalia continues to threaten Florida, Universal Orlando have given an operational update. As Tropical Storm Idalia looms large over Florida,, Universal Orlando Resort have issued an operations update regarding the current storm that is threatening Florida. Universal Orlando Resort theme parks including Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay are planning to open and operate as normal at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30. However, they will not offer Early Park Admission benefit for on-site hotel guests, select Annual Passholders and other select travel trade clients on this day while teams prepare the parks for opening after the storm. Hotels remain operational as they focus on taking care of guests. Here is the severe weather policy from Universal: 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. For more information, visit our severe weather policy frequently asked questions page. 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. For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date on our socials, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, your free guide to Orlando. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

Hurricane Idalia is now on track to be a dangerous Category 3 Hurricane, and Icon Park on International Drive is closing attractions ahead of the incoming storm. As Hurricane Idalia continues to strengthen, the storm is forecast to be a major hurricane as it makes landfall early Wednesday. In anticipation of the storm arrival, entertainment destination Icon Park on International Drive has announced that The Wheel and Carousel will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 3 For further questions on other ICON Park restaurants and attractions, please contact their business directly. For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date on our socials, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, your free guide to Orlando. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

As Hurricane Idalia grows rapidly and is expected to come ashore with winds of 125 mph, only 5 mph below Category 4 strength, Discovery Cove here in Orlando has announced it is closing. As Hurricane Idalia shapes up to be a major hurricane that is set to slam Florida with dangerous life threatening winds, here in Orlando Discovery Cove has announced its closing ahead of the incoming storm. The park announced, "Due to the projected path of Hurricane Idalia, Discovery Cove will be closed on Wednesday, August 30. We are taking all necessary precautions to protect the safety of animals, employees and guests." The park expect operation will resume on August 31. If your reservation is impacted, please email dco-guestrelations@discoverycove.com to rebook your visit. For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date on our socials, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, your free guide to Orlando. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

Hurricane Idalia is looking ever more likely to be a dangerous Category 3 Hurricane when it targets Florida in the coming days, we will keep you updated with all the latest from Central Florida schools and colleges. As Hurricane Idalia continues to strengthen, the storm is forecast to be a major hurricane as it makes landfall early Wednesday. With much of the state forecast to experience severe weather, Central Florida schools and colleges are making plans to prepare for the worst of the weather. Throughout the storm we will keep you up to date with all the latest from the schools and colleges. Here is a list county-by-county. Orange County Important update for OCPS families: Based on this morning’s forecast, sustained wind speeds will exceed 35 MPH on the west side of Orange County and as a result there will be no school for students on Wednesday, Aug. 30. All after-school activities must end tonight by 8 p.m. and will be canceled for Wednesday. OCPS are planning on resuming school on Thursday, Aug. 31. Osceola County Earlier today Osceola County announced that schools in the county are expected to remain open tomorrow, but now that decision has been changed. This afternoon, Governor Ron DeSantis amended Executive Order 23-171 for Hurricane Idalia to now include Osceola County. As such, all Osceola district public schools will be closed on Wednesday, August 30. All district offices and school campuses will also be closed. All after-school school activities, events, and programs are cancelled today and tomorrow. At this time, plans are to reopen schools and district departments on Thursday, August 31. Seminole County School officials in Seminole County said afterschool activities and evets will continue as usual on Tuesday, Aug. 29. Seminole County public schools will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Officials said they will provide an update on resuming school and extracurricular activities at a later date. Lake County All after-school events are canceled Tuesday for Lake County public schools, with the exception of Extended Learning Centers, which will be open until 6 p.m. Parents, however, are asked to pick up their children from ELC as early as possible. Schools and offices will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 29. The Villages Elementary and Lost Lake Elementary will be used as storm shelters. Both will serve special-needs guests and are pet-friendly. Lake County expects to reopen schools and offices on Thursday. Rollins College Tuesday evening classes remain as scheduled. On Wednesday, August 30, no in-person classes will be held. Faculty will implement their hurricane plan from their syllabi, which allows for alternative instructional modalities (ex. a virtual option, alternative assignment, etc.) All in-person campus programming and activities are cancelled Wednesday. . Valencia College Valencia College will be closed on Wednesday, 8/30, due to the potential impact of Hurricane Idalia. In-person and online classes will not be held during this time. University of Central Florida Academic and most campus operations are suspended Wednesday, Aug. 30. Students, faculty, and staff should remain indoors and off the roads during periods of possible intermittent tropical winds and weather. Standard operations will continue through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, and are planned to resume Thursday, Aug. 31. For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date on our socials, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, your free guide to Orlando. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

As we get ever closer to this years Halloween Horror nights, Universal Orlando have revealed this years official map for HHN 32. Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) at Universal Orlando Resort kicks off this Friday, September 1, and to get us in the mood, (not that we're not!) Universal have revealed this years official map. Halloween Horror Nights 32 will feature 10 terrifying haunted houses, 5 sinister scare zones and live entertainment. All new terrifying houses this year including “The Exorcist: Believer,” inspired by the new Universal Pictures film from Blumhouse and Morgan Creek Entertainment, “Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count” based on the popular USA & SYFY series, and “Universal Monsters: Unmasked,” inspired by Universal’s legacy of iconic cinematic monsters. Haunted Houses A. Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings B. The Exorcist: Believer C. Stranger Things D. Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate E. YETI: Campground Kills F. Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count G. Dr. Oddfellow’s Twisted Origins H. The Darkest Deal I. The Last of Us J. Universal Monsters: Unmasked Scare Zones K. Dr. Oddfellow’s Collection of Horrors L. Vamp ’69: Summer of Blood M. Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged N. Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror O. Dark Zodiac Live Entertainment P. Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream Rides & Attractions 1. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit 2. Transformers: The Ride-3D 3. Revenge of the Mummy 4. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts 5. Men in Black: Alien Attack DE. Death Eaters Encounter (YES!!) Here’s what’s lingering in the fog at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 2023: HAUNTED HOUSES The Exorcist: Believer An Evil Reawakened Two missing girls have been found with no memory of what happened to them. But wherever they went, the ultimate evil has returned with them. Enter the most terrifying scenes from the new Blumhouse film. Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count Chucky’s Back for Even More Carnage Chucky, the serial killer doll, is back for a new gorefest! He’s hijacked his own haunted house with all kinds of bloody hijinks. You and your friends must try to survive his ultimate kill count. Stranger Things 4 Try to Escape the Curse of Vecna You’ll need your squad to resist Vecna’s gruesome curse. Like Eleven, now’s your chance to stop him once and for all as you take on the scariest season of Stranger Things yet. The Last of Us Step Into the World of The Last of Us You and your squad will encounter the haunting and overgrown world of the video game in a brand-new, terrifying way. Stay silent if you want to survive a multitude of Clickers, Hunters and more. Universal Monsters: Unmasked Four Universal Monsters. One New Nightmare. Descend into the Paris Catacombs, where you and your squad will face a new horde of Monsters: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Phantom of the Opera, the Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Invisible Man. Dr. Oddfellow’s Twisted Origins Your Soul is a Price He’s Willing to Pay You won’t be able to resist going inside Dr. Oddfellow’s menacing menagerie of twisted oddities. But the price for you and your friends is steep: the cost of your souls to feed his immortal power Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate No Matter Who You Choose, You Lose Two warlocks of great power were turned into dragons after trying to take Merlyn’s spell book. Now you and your friends are caught in their epic battle. You must choose a path and a victor. YETI: Campground Kills Yeti or Not, Here They Come You and your friends are about to venture into a 1950s campground overrun by huge, menacing yetis who rip apart anyone who gets in their way. You must flee to the ranger tower to escape. The Darkest Deal Fame is Fleeting. Fear is Forever. Blues musician Pinestraw Spruce will have to face the music after meeting with The Collector and trading his soul for musical glory. You and your squad learn the terrible price of fame. Bleed for the Blood Moon Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings In a Colonial-era village, moon-worshippers witness a blood moon at their fall festival. They take it as a sign to hunt down any non-followers, including you and your scream squad. SCARE ZONES Dr. Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror Dr. Oddfellow will lure you into Halloween Horror Nights with a promise of immortality. As he lifts the veil on all the horrors to come, you’ll soon realize you may not even survive the night. Dark Zodiac Dr. Oddfellow has entered a dark dimension to harness the power of the Zodiac and live forever. He twists the signs into malevolent beings who foretell your doom. As his star rises, yours falls. Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror In the 1920s, Dr. Oddfellow ventured deep into the darkest jungle, performing horrific experiments on nature. Now his monstrous creations are running amok and are coming after you. Vamp ’69: Summer of Blood At a 60s music fest in a small New York town, you’ll jam to popular bands with fellow concert-goers until Dr. Oddfellow unleashes vicious vampires on the audience. They’re out for your blood. Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged Enter a 1940s San Francisco shipping yard full of mysterious crates and cages bearing Dr. Oddfellow’s symbol. Beware, his nightmarish oddities have now escaped, spreading fear and chaos in their wake. SHOW Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream The show that sparked your darkest dreams has reignited. Let your nightmares burn out of control as the pyro and aerial performers fire you up to the beat of metal and electronica. NEW SPINE-CHILLING EXPERIENCES AND KILLER FOOD Guests can enjoy the all-new disturbingly entertaining show, “Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream,” that features a new dreamer confronting the creature that’s been turning her dreams into nightmares. While shopping the latest Halloween Horror Nights merchandise and treats in an all-new Tribute Store, guests can enter a mysterious NYC Comic Book Shop and experience the “Tribute to Terror” by stepping into the pages of this original, terrifying, horror comic book. Guests can enjoy a drink at the Red Coconut Club as it will once again transform to the Dead Coconut Club donning a new theme and menu. When guests want to take a bite out of the horror, they can enjoy a monstrous menu of all-new food & beverage items, including Bloody Campground Poutine, El Pastor Torta and Sour Apple Pie Funnel Fries, in addition to returning fan-favorites like Pizza Fries. New this year, Peacock’s Halloween Horror Bar will feature themed libations within an ominous nightclub vibe, photo opportunities, and more. For those dying to experience this year’s “killer” food & beverage before the event even opens, Taste of Terror will offer guests an exclusive preview of select items that will be featured at Halloween Horror Nights select nights from August 10 through August 26. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date on our socials, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, your free guide to Orlando. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

Hurricane Idalia is now on track to be a dangerous Category 3 Hurricane, and Orange County have made the decision to close schools tomorrow. As Hurricane Idalia continues to strengthen, the storm is forecast to be a major hurricane as it makes landfall early Wednesday. In anticipation of the storm arrive, and based on this morning’s forecast, sustained wind speeds are forecast to exceed 35 MPH on the west side of Orange County and as a result there will be no school for Orange County Public School students on Wednesday, Aug. 30. All after-school activities must end tonight by 8 p.m. and will be canceled for Wednesday, OCPS are planning on resuming school on Thursday, Aug. 31. In contrast schools in Osceola County are expected to remain open tomorrow, Wednesday, but the county will continue to monitor the storm’s development. For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date on our socials, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, your free guide to Orlando. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

Disney Cruise Line had announced that they would unveil the first look of the new Disney Treasure at a virtual grand reveal event on August 30, sadly this has had to be postponed due to Hurricane Idalia. If you have been awaiting more details about the Disney Treasure, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, you are going to have to wait awhile more. Disney Cruise Line had announced that they would host a virtual grand reveal event on August 30 at 11 am, where they were set to give a first look at this all-new vessel during the world premiere of “Unlocking the Disney Treasure: Adventure Awaits Onboard Disney’s Newest Ship.” The grand reveal will now not happen on August 30, due to Hurricane Idalia setting its sights on Florida in the coming days. The event has now been rescheduled to September 5. The sixth ship of the Disney fleet is currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. Like it's sister ship Disney Wish, the triton-class Disney Treasure will weigh in at 135,000 tons and offer 1,250 staterooms. The Treasure will boast a Grand Hall atrium themed around the movie “Aladdin,” featuring Princess Jasmine, the Genie, and Aladdin, with real-world influences from Africa and Asia, and paying homage to the fictional land of Agrabah with its gilded palaces. The signature central statue will feature Aladdin and Jasmine on their magic flying carpet. The Disney Treasure will feature signature character sculptures that honor the ship’s motif of adventure, Peter Pan and Captain Hook. Harnessing the power of Tinker Bell’s pixie dust, Peter Pan will levitate next to the Disney Treasure to add the finishing touch to the ship’s stern filigree. Meanwhile, Peter Pan’s longtime rival, Captain Hook can be seen leaning out a porthole with a vengeful expression on his face. Paintbrush and paint bucket in hand, Peter Pan sports a mischievous grin as he glances back at Captain Hook, who is dripping in yellow paint. For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day. You can also keep up to date on our socials, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel, your free guide to Orlando. Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas, offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts. Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas, condos & townhouses. Please Note: We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. Articles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site