Disney World in Orlando: Since 1971, Florida theme park closed 10 times for these reasons

(This story was updated to add new information.)

In its long storied history, Walt Disney World, the "most magical place on Earth," has only closed 10 times.

Ahead of its 53rd anniversary, the Orlando theme park has shut its doors for weather and two national emergencies. With all eyes on Helene, which should make landfall in Florida the evening of Thursday, Sept. 26, as a Category 3 hurricane, that typically means these questions come up:

• Where is Hurricane Helene headed ?
• Will Disney World in Florida close ?

In its weather advisories for Helene, which strengthened into hurricane status at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, the National Hurricane Center in Miami warned about life-threatening storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds along the coast of the Panhandle and Florida’s Gulf Coast. In addition, forecasters cautioned about heavy rain, flash floods and the potential for tornadoes.

Experts also say don't focus on the center of the storm. It's extremely large, which means impacts will be felt hundreds of miles away from the center, especially on the north and east sides.

Here's what we know about Helene's potential impact on Disney World and a list of when the Orlando-area theme parks have closed since the resort's grand opening Oct. 1, 1971.

Is Disney World closing for Hurricane Helene?

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, Helene became a tropical storm. Hours later, Disney posted a hurricane update on its Disney World weather updates and information page : “Walt Disney World Resort is currently operating under normal conditions. We are closely monitoring the path of the storm as we continue to prioritize the safety of our guests and cast members.”

Helene strengthened into a hurricane Wednesday with landfall a day later in the Big Bend area of Florida.

Walt Disney World Resort, which includes the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, created a Disney World FAQ page regarding hurricanes .

Regarding cancellations and rescheduling Disney vacations, the theme park giant states: "If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area — or for your place of residence — within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Co. Disney Resort hotel packages and most room-only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney. Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates."

When is hurricane season in Florida? When is the peak of hurricane season?

The Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to Nov. 30 every year, with the most active part of the season between August and October. The peak of hurricane season was Sept. 10.

When did Disney World near Orlando close? Why would the Florida theme park close?

Years after Disneyland in Anaheim, California, opened on July 17, 1955, its second, larger, sister theme park Disney World opened near Orlando, Florida on Oct. 1, 1971. Serving millions of guests every year since, Disney World has only been closed less than a dozen times for weather and two national emergencies.

• In September 1999, Disney World was closed for Hurricane Floyd.
• In August 2004, Disney World was closed for Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Jeanne.
• In October 2016, Disney World was closed for Hurricane Matthew.
• In October 2017, Disney World was closed for two days for Hurricane Irma.
• In 2020, Disney World was closed for almost four months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Disney World temporarily shut down from March 15, 2020, to July 11, 2020.
• In September 2022, Disney World was closed for Hurricane Ian.

The Orlando-area theme park also closed early twice in its history − once for a hurricane and once for a national tragedy.

• According to a Sept. 12, 2021, clickorlando.com report, Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and EPCOT closed several hours early for Hurricane Elena on Aug. 31, 1985. A parks-wide announcement abruptly broke through the area music, the story states: "Ladies and gentlemen, due to circumstances beyond our control, Walt Disney World is now closed. Please follow the instructions of cast members and move to the nearest exit.” At the time, it was only the second time a national emergency shut down a Disney park. The first, WKMG Local 6 reported, was at Disneyland after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
• Disney World also closed early because of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

List of Disney World closures, TL; DR

Here’s a list of when Disney World did not open for guests:

• Hurricane Floyd in September 1999
• Hurricane Charley in August 2004
• Hurricane Frances in August 2004
• Hurricane Jeanne in August 2004
• Hurricane Matthew in October 2016
• Hurricane Irma in October 2017
• COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020
• Hurricane Ian in September 2022

Here’s when Disney World closed early:

• Hurricane Elena in August 1985
• Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks

Contributing: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Network-Florida; Mark Bickel, the News-Press; and Britt Kennerly, FLORIDA TODAY

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang . Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper .

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Disney World in Orlando: Since 1971, Florida theme park closed 10 times for these reasons