UPDATE: Tropical Storm Nicole has been upgraded to a category 1 hurricane as of 7PM ET on November 9th. 

Disney has already announced several changes that will happen at the Disney World parks and hotels in response to Tropical Storm Nicole, which is expected to affect Central Florida today (November 9th) and tomorrow.

The castle stays right here, even when it hurricanes.

The parks are going to have a phased closure beginning at 5PM on November 9th, and several nighttime events have been canceled. Disney suspended cancelation fees as well, so you can cancel your reservations without penalty if you had previously planned to visit in the next few days. Now, we have an update about the tropical storm and its potential to become a hurricane.

According to Wesh 2, Tropical Storm Nicole is almost certain to become a hurricane before it makes landfall in Florida. Experts have said that “no matter where it eventually makes landfall, the storm will bring hurricane conditions to many Central Florida beaches, and hurricane gusts to areas inland.”

Hurricane skies in Disney World

Brevard and Volusia counties are both under a hurricane warning, and Flagler is under a hurricane watch. There are tropical storm warnings in place for Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.

Rainy Day in Disney World

As of 10AM today, Nicole was 25 miles east of Great Abaco Island and about 210 miles east of West Palm Beach. At that time, it had hurricane-level winds and was moving west at 12MPH. Its projected path is to arrive on the east coast of Florida within the hurricane warning area on Wednesday evening and then move across central and northern Florida. It will likely move into Georgia later on Thursday.

©Wesh 2

Central Florida residents can expect strong winds, pouring rain, and potentially isolated tornadoes. The worst of the weather in this area is expected to arrive on Wednesday evening and last through Thursday morning. Meteorologists are expecting 30-40MPH wind gusts to begin by late afternoon on Wednesday. They recommend sheltering in place sometime between 3PM and 6PM.

©Wesh 2

By 5AM on Thursday morning, there will be hurricane-force wind gusts throughout Central Florida, and by 7AM the worst of the winds should move into western Florida. The storm conditions are expected to drop later Thursday morning and afternoon.

©Wesh 2

We’ll continue to watch for more updates on the storm, so stay tuned to DFB.

Click here to see the Disney World theme park closure schedule.