As Hurricane Milton heads toward Florida, many residents are fleeing the state in search of safety. But in an unconventional move, some are going to a place more associated with family vacations than emergency evacuations: Disney World.
As images of crowded highways and boarded-up homes flood the news, Annette Devlin of Winter Garden, Florida, and her daughter made their way to the resort. “We live about five minutes from Disney,” Devlin told Newsweek. “As a local, we were informed that we would most likely lose power at our residence, and that made things complicated—especially with my daughter’s medical condition.”
Her daughter, who has multiple sclerosis, relies on consistent care and, more critically, reliable electricity for medical equipment. So when it became clear that their home might not be the safest option, Devlin made a strategic choice: Disney World.
“We arrived here on Tuesday, October 8, and we were lucky enough to secure a room” at the Swan Hotel, she said. “Disney has been incredibly accommodating.”
For many, “the Most Magical Place on Earth” has also earned a reputation as one of the safest. It was built to withstand the impact of Florida’s weather, and the resort’s inland location, its own independent power grid and a team of dedicated employees—known as the “ride-out crew”—make it an ideal place to ride out a storm.
Newsweek reached out to Walt Disney Parks via email for comment.
Online, multiple families arriving at Disney World’s resort hotels to wait out Hurricane Milton have been sharing their experiences in videos and pictures.
“I feel very safe and thankful having shelter, food and supplies here,” Devlin said. “We’ve met other residents from local areas like us and several families from Tampa. Honestly, Disney welcomed us with open arms, and for that I’m very appreciative.”
This isn’t Devlin’s first time seeking refuge at Disney World. “The last hurricane we experienced was Dorian, and we also stayed on Disney property back then, at Animal Kingdom Lodge.”
This time, her family—along with their cat—settled into the Swan Hotel, where many other guests have also brought their pets to safety.
In a region where the threat of hurricanes is an annual concern, Disney World’s hotels have become an unexpected haven for evacuees. With strong infrastructure, round-the-clock staff and an atmosphere designed to comfort and entertain, the resorts offer a unique form of security during natural disasters.
On Tuesday, Disney World announced that it was closing its theme parks and Disney Springs, outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment complex, in preparation for Milton’s arrival. According to the company, these measures were taken to ensure that guests and employees can return to safety long before the high winds reach Central Florida.
The storm is expected to make landfall on Thursday morning near Tampa Bay, bringing tropical storm winds by Wednesday afternoon.
But for Devlin and others hunkered down at Disney, there’s a palpable sense of relief. “I’m grateful to feel safe and informed,” she said.
Read the full article here
