Disney World, SeaWorld, Universal to Close for Hurricane Irma
Theme parks will shut down for the weekend as Florida braces for storm
Reid Nakamura | September 8, 2017 @ 12:31 PM
Last Updated: September 8, 2017 @ 12:39 PM
Disney
Walt Disney World Resort has announced it will close this weekend, joining a number of other Florida theme parks that are temporarily closing their doors as the state braces for Hurricane Irma.
“Based on the latest forecasts for Hurricane Irma and keeping safety top of mind, Walt Disney World Resort will be closing early on Saturday, September 9 and will remain closed through Monday, September 11,” the company said in a statement Friday. “Resort hotels will remain open. We hope to resume normal operations on Tuesday, September 12. We will provide regular updates to our guests on all operational changes. Please continue to check this page for updates.”
SeaWorld Orlando will also shut down early on Saturday and remain closed through Monday, the company announced on Friday.
“We have comprehensive weather preparedness plans, and security and zoological staff will remain on property in secure locations as we monitor the storm,” the company said in a statement on Facebook. “We’re also providing support and temporary housing for animals from other zoological facilities in coastal areas expected to have greater impact.”
Universal Studios Orlando will similarly shut down at 7 p.m. on Saturday and remain closed on Sunday and Monday; as will the water parks Aquatica Orlando and Adventure Island and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Irma is expected to make landfall in Florida mid-weekend. The storm has already claimed at least 10 lives and caused catastrophic damage as it tore through the Caribbean earlier this week.
D23 Expo: 13 Biggest Stories From Disney's Massive Festival (Photos)
Over two days, Disney gave their fans all the hype they could handle at the D23 Expo in Anaheim. While no trailers for “Thor: Ragnarok” or “Black Panther” were released, there was more than enough to keep Disney, “Star Wars” and Marvel fans excited for what’s to come. Here’s the biggest news that came out of the convention this year.
Taraji P. Henson will be joining the cast of “Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2” as Yesss, a trend-setter who takes Ralph and Vanellope on a tour of the Internet. Fans were also treated to a clip of Vanellope meeting ALL the Disney princesses, many of whom will be voiced by their original voice actors.
A sneak preview of Pixar’s next film, “Coco,” was also shown to audiences. The clip showed a boy named Miguel, who is so desperate to play the guitar against his family’s wishes that he steals one from the grave of his great-great-grandfather. In doing so, he winds up in the Land of the Dead, where he comes across his ancestors and tries to discover why his family banned music.
Before “Coco,” audiences will be treated to “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure,” a “Frozen” short film that will see Olaf the Snowman take center stage as he prepares a holiday party for Anna and Elsa. Olaf’s voice actor, Josh Gad, took to the stage at D23 to performance live one of the new songs from the film.
After “Coco,” the next Pixar film will be “The Incredibles 2.” Director Brad Bird presented concept art for the new film, along with a work-in-progress clip in which Mr. Incredible discovers that his infant son, Jack-Jack, now has powers.
But the biggest Pixar news at D23 came when John Lasseter announced that he was stepping down as director of “Toy Story 4,” handing over the reins to “Inside Out” screenwriter Josh Cooley. Lasseter will remain on the project as a producer.
The live-action presentation opened with a new trailer from “A Wrinkle in Time” presented by director Ava DuVernay. Based on the classic novel by Madeline L’Engle, the film stars Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling and Reese Witherspoon
After much speculation, Disney announced the leads for Guy Ritchie’s remake of “Aladdin.” “Jack Ryan” star Mena Massoud will play Aladdin, and “Power Rangers” star Naomi Scott will play Jasmine. Disney also confirmed that Will Smith will play Genie.
Disney also quietly moved Niki Caro’s remake of “Mulan” out of its Nov. 2, 2018 release date, replacing it with “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms,” a surreal adaptation of the famous German Christmas tale. Morgan Freeman and Keira Knightley lead the cast.
The first footage and music from “Mary Poppins Returns” was also played for the D23 crowd, as Emily Blunt came onstage to discuss portraying the legendary nanny made famous by Julie Andrews.
There was no new “Star Wars” footage available at D23, though newcomers to the franchise Laura Dern, Benicio Del Toro and Kelly Tran were on hand to discuss joining the galactic saga. A behind-the-scenes montage was also shown that featured the late Carrie Fisher.
Before the live-action presentation, there were rumors that Hugh Jackman had been signed to play Scar in the “Lion King” remake, but Jackman’s reps told TheWrap there was “absolutely no truth” to it.
But the presentation did feature a jaw-dropping clip that showed how the famous “Circle of Life” opening scene will look with the photorealistic CGI technology used in last year’s “The Jungle Book.” James Earl Jones, Donald Glover and John Oliver are included among the cast.
Finally, Marvel saved the best for last by giving D23 fans an early look at the “Avengers: Infinity War” trailer, which featured the Guardians of the Galaxy meeting Thor for the first time, the return of Iron Man’s Hulkbuster suit and the awakening of Peter Parker’s Spidey Senses.
From “Wreck-It Ralph 2” to “Avengers: Infinity War,” there was a lot of news coming out of D23 this year
Over two days, Disney gave their fans all the hype they could handle at the D23 Expo in Anaheim. While no trailers for “Thor: Ragnarok” or “Black Panther” were released, there was more than enough to keep Disney, “Star Wars” and Marvel fans excited for what’s to come. Here’s the biggest news that came out of the convention this year.
