Hurricane Milton: The Truth Behind Disney World’s Condition After the Storm
The claim that Hurricane Milton ‘destroyed’ Walt Disney World is false. The park sustained minor damage, reopened the day after the storm passed, and the viral video circulating online included unrelated footage that painted an inaccurate picture of the damage.
Hurricane Milton generated widespread misinformation suggesting that it had severely damaged Walt Disney World. A Facebook post dating October 10, which showcased a video purporting to depict destruction at the theme park, quickly gained popularity, accruing over 12,000 shares within just 13 days. The claim associated with the video claimed, “BREAKING: Disney World Destroyed By Hurricane Milton!” However, this assertion is false. Upon investigation, it was revealed that Disney World experienced only minor damage and promptly reopened the following day, October 11, after having temporarily closed prior to the storm’s landfall as a Category 3 hurricane. Notably, the video intermingled genuine storm footage with unrelated clips and images sourced from a satirical website, misleading viewers regarding the park’s condition. Reports indicate that the major theme parks in the vicinity, including Disney World and Universal Studios, sustained minimal impact. Furthermore, the original Instagram source of the video clarified that the images depicted were not authentic, emphasizing the satirical nature of some included content. In essence, contrary to the rampant online claims, Walt Disney World did not face catastrophic destruction due to Hurricane Milton.
Hurricane Milton, which struck Florida as a Category 3 storm on October 9, 2023, caused significant public concern regarding the safety and status of major attractions, including Walt Disney World. Historically, Disney World has experienced very few closures due to hurricanes, with notable exceptions being post-9/11 and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The closures induced by Hurricane Milton were temporary and precautionary, leading to the park’s reopening shortly after the storm passed. Misleading information proliferated across social media platforms, particularly a viral Facebook post purporting catastrophic damage, which was later debunked by various fact-checking organizations.
In summary, the assertion that Hurricane Milton resulted in the destruction of Walt Disney World is unfounded. The theme park sustained only minor damage and was able to reopen rapidly after a temporary closure. The viral video that fueled the misinformation contained a mix of unrelated footage and deceptive imagery, misleading many viewers. It is crucial to verify information from reliable sources before drawing conclusions, especially during emergencies.
Original Source: www.usatoday.com
