What You Need to Know About the Effects Hurricane Matthew is Having on Disney

I would like to open with my thoughts and prayers are with all of the Southeast and the Caribbean as Hurricane Matthew barrels its way up the coast. If you are visiting Disney currently or even on a Disney Cruise some changes may have been made to prepare for Matthew's landfall tomorrow, October 6. Here is what you need to know:

Update 10:51 p.m. ET on 10/5:

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been canceled for tomorrow, October 6 due to Hurricane Matthew. No word on Friday's party. For booking, refunds and other options guests may call (407)566-4985, option 5, between 9 AM and 11 PM (EST).

Disney is waving fees for most trips that are taking place from today 10/5/2016 through 10/9/2016. While it is not guaranteed, Disney is working with guests and full refunds are being given without penalization once the guest contacts Disney.

In preparation for tomorrow's landfall Disney has begun evacuating guests from Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground. Guests staying at the campground began receiving letters from the resort stating that Disney will be accommodating them at a new resort for the remainder of their stay. Disney's Fort Wilderness will be closing tomorrow at 11 a.m and is issuing a mandatory evacuation. Here is the letter guests received (Tweet by @ParksByDoom):

Disneys Working to relocate Guests at Ft Wilderness Campsites for the next few nights due to #HurricaneMatthew pic.twitter.com/YdIRIS10bV

— Mr. Doom PhD (@ParksByDoom) October 5, 2016

Also guests staying at Disney Vacation Club resorts in Vero Beach, FL and Hilton Head, SC will also be closed.  Disney has also cancelled the 2016 Cross Country Classic that was being held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex this weekend.

Update 8:55 p.m. ET on 10/5:
As of right now the only park changes for tomorrow October 6 are that Disney's Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon will be closed. They will be closed as well on Friday, October 7th. The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show and Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue are cancelled for 10/6 and 10/7. Characters in Flight will be closed through October 9.

As for Disney Cruise Line, the following adjustments have been made to itineraries:

On the Disney Dream:

The October 3rd sailing is being extended a day, as Port Canaveral will not be available for the ship's original intended arrival this Friday, October 7. Instead the plan is to disembark guests on Saturday, October 8, once the Coast Guard has determined the port is safe for cruise ship operations. DCL is working with guests to assist them on travel operations.

The October 7 sailing of the Disney Dream from Port Canaveral is being cancelled. Refunds will automatically be processed back to the original form of payment used for cruise bookings. Guests are invited to call us at 1-866-325-3905 or 407-566-7032 beginning Monday, Oct. 10, to book a future cruise at a discount.

The Disney Magic:

The October 7 sailing of the Disney Magic from New York is being changed to a Canadian itinerary, with plans to visit Sydney, Nova Scotia; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Saint John, New Brunswick. Guests who remain on this revised itinerary will receive an onboard credit. Guests who would like to rebook a future sailing at a discount OR cancel their sailing for a full refund are invited to call us at 1-866-325-3905 or 407-566-7032.

Guests planning to sail on the October 8 sailing aboard the Disney Fantasy from Port Canaveral to the  eastern Caribbean is expected to sail as scheduled. They will continue to monitor the weather and make any necessary adjustments.

Stay tuned for more updates on the effects of Hurricane Matthew on Disney.