As Tropical Storm Nicole makes landfall in Central Florida, airports reopen with some attractions still closed
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.
Just a little more than a month after Hurricane Ian devastated parts of Southwest Florida, the area has spent this week bracing for yet another major weather event.
As of Thursday morning, Tropical Storm Nicole continues to barrel through Florida, creating strong winds, storm surge and heavy rains.
Airports are back open
Late afternoon Thursday, Orlando International Airport (MCO) announced they would be reopening at 8 pm tonight for domestic arrivals only. International operations will resume Friday, Nov. 11.
Meanwhile, Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) resumed normal operations at 4 p.m. EST Thursday.
Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) reopened at 8 a.m.
Although neighboring airports, including Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Miami International Airport (MIA) and Tampa International Airport (TPA), have stayed open, airport officials have warned travelers of potential flight disruptions.
If you are flying outside of the direct landfall area, travel warnings are likely to come from individual airlines, so be sure to check with yours ahead of scheduled departure. Most of the major airlines have begun issuing notes online of potential disruptions to flights in and out of certain airports, including in neighboring states, like Charleston International Airport (CHS) and Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR).
Spirit, Southwest, JetBlue and Frontier all have disproportionate parts of their operations touch Florida and Orlando, so their flights are most likely to be affected.
Other closures: Theme parks and cruises
Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort announced Wednesday morning that it would begin a phased closure of its four theme parks beginning with Animal Kingdom at 5 p.m., Hollywood Studios at 6 p.m. and the Magic Kingdom and Epcot at 7 p.m. Wednesday's nighttime spectaculars and extended evening theme park hours were also canceled.
As of 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, Disney plans a phased reopening of its parks with adjusted operating hours:
- Magic Kingdom: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.).
- Epcot: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Animal Kingdom: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Hollywood Studios: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. (The Fantasmic! nighttime spectacular will not be performed).
Walt Disney World Resort's Typhoon Lagoon water park and its miniature golf courses will remain closed on Thursday.
Guests staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort were moved to other resorts on Wednesday, but both resorts are planning to reopen Thursday. The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser voyage scheduled for Thursday has been canceled.
Unused days on multiday tickets affected by Tropical Storm Nicole will be automatically extended through Sept. 30, 2023. Guests who have questions about changes or cancellations to their Walt Disney World Resort vacation can find more information on Disney’s weather update page.
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando shared around noon on Wednesday that it would close its theme parks and CityWalk area at 5 p.m. that evening. The decision had previously been made to close Volcano Bay water park Thursday. Per the park’s website, Universal's theme parks and Universal CityWalk are open with "limited experiences' to hotel guests only today. They will resume a regular schedule for all guests tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 11.
SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
In preparation for Tropical Storm Nicole, SeaWorld Orlando made the decision on Tuesday to close its Aquatica Orlando water park through Thursday.
Additionally, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will be closed Thursday, with an anticipated reopening on Friday. All affected date-based tickets have been extended through Dec. 31, 2022, according to the park’s website.
Legoland Florida and Peppa Pig Theme Park
Legoland Florida and the neighboring Peppa Pig Theme Park opened with adjusted hours on Thursday, Nov. 10. Legoland Water Park will remain closed on Thursday, but normal park operations are expected to resume on Friday, Nov. 11.
Bottom line
As of 8 a.m. EST Thursday, Tropical Storm Nicole continues to cross Florida, where National Weather Service officials expect rain conditions to worsen throughout the day and evening.
Additional reporting by Tarah Chieffi.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.