The Universal Orlando Resort is located in Central Florida and has to keep an eye on any hurricanes that threaten the resort. Most recently, Hurricanes Irma and Dorian impacted Universal in 2017 and 2019.
So, what about your vacation? What do you need to know about planing a trip during hurricane season, which runs from June 1st to November 30th in Florida? Here’s advice from the Unofficial Team.
Q: Will the Universal Orlando theme parks close during hurricanes?
A: The parks will stay open as long as they safely can. Previously, both Universal and Disney announced closures one day ahead of time. After the storm passed, the parks resumed normal operations the following day.
Q: Can I cancel or receive a refund?
A: In the event that the National Hurricane Center issues a tropical storm or hurricane warning or a state of emergency for Orlando or your area within 7 days of your arrival, you can cancel or reschedule without any fees.
Q: What happens to onsite guests during a hurricane?
A: Guests that are staying at a Loews/Universal hotel will be kept inside at their resorts. Usually, additional activities are available to help ease boredom. If the storm warrants evacuating the area, Universal can provide you direction if necessary to move your family to a safer area.
Q: Where is the most accurate information regarding hurricanes that might be affect my vacation?
A: The Unofficial Team recommends you watch the official Universal Orlando Resort’s website and social media accounts for the most up-to-date information.
Q: What about trip insurance?
A: Trip insurance can cover the costs of unexpected cancellations. We recommend looking into it when booking your Universal vacation. Also, folks using American Express or Discover cards can benefit from certain travel booking protection features. Check with your card issuer to see if your card qualifies for travel related fee reimbursement.