Fact Check: Hurricane Milton Did Not Destroy Disney World

A viral Facebook video claimed Hurricane Milton destroyed Disney World, generating over 12,000 shares. In reality, the park experienced minor damage and reopened shortly after the storm, debunking the claims as false and misleading.

Recent claims on social media have inaccurately stated that Hurricane Milton caused widespread destruction at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. An October 10 Facebook post shared a video depicting severe flooding and alleged storm damage at the theme park, asserting that it had been ‘destroyed’ by the hurricane. However, these claims have been debunked by several credible fact-checking organizations. In actuality, Disney World sustained only minor damage and reopened shortly after the storm. The parks closed at 2 p.m. on October 9 as Hurricane Milton, classified as a Category 3 storm, approached land. This temporary closure was part of the park’s standard emergency procedures, which have occurred less than a dozen times in its history, mainly due to hurricanes and significant events, such as in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The original video included unrelated footage, some of which came from a satirical website and did not pertain to the storm’s actual effects on the park. Numerous media outlets reported that neither Disney World nor other major parks in the area experienced severe damage. While social media posts showed the impact of Hurricane Milton, they did not indicate significant harm to the park’s infrastructure. Additionally, an Instagram post, which contained the same images, clarified that the images were not real, further indicating misinformation in the Facebook post.

In October 2023, Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida, resulting in widespread discussions regarding its impact on various locations, including Walt Disney World. Given the park’s unique and high-profile nature, claims about its potential destruction quickly circulated on social media. Accurate information regarding the park’s operational status following such hurricanes is crucial, especially to dispel fears and misinformation that could lead to misunderstanding among the public, investors, and tourists.

In conclusion, the allegations that Hurricane Milton destroyed Walt Disney World are unfounded and misleading. While the storm required the park to temporarily close its gates, the actual damage was minimal, as confirmed by multiple fact-checking sources. This incident underscores the importance of verifying information before sharing it, particularly in the context of significant weather events.

Original Source: www.usatoday.com