Latest US Weather Warnings and Safety Updates

We're here to keep your holiday dreams safe and secure, with the latest weather warnings and travel advice for Ocean Florida customers.
This information is correct as of 9:00 GMT (BST) on 11th October 2024.

11th October 2024 at 9:00am
Orlando International Airport & Melbourne International Airport to Reopen Friday 11th October
Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Melbourne International Airport (MLB) are set to reopen for international flights on Friday 11th October after experiencing minor damage from Hurricane Milton. All customers whose travel plans were affected by Hurricane Milton have been contacted and offered a rescheduled flight. If you were not contacted, please rest assured your flight is scheduled.
To view the latest status of your flight we recommend the following:
· Regularly check the website of your airline for updates
· Ensure your airline has your contact information so they can contact you directly
· Consistently monitor your email for any updates from your airline

10th October 2024 at 5:00pm
A Message from Ocean Florida to our Valued Customers
Following Hurricane Milton passing through Florida yesterday, the whole team at Ocean Florida would like to express our deepest sympathies to everyone impacted by the devastating event, particularly those who have worked tirelessly to protect others, and those who have lost loved ones.
We have reached out to all our customers currently in resort and those whose travel plans may have been impacted by flight changes or cancellations. As we assess the impact of the hurricane and receive further updates from our overseas partners, our teams will continue to communicate with any customers whose travel plans may require adjustments.
If you are scheduled to travel to Florida and have not been contacted, please be assured that your holiday will proceed as planned.
From all of us at Ocean Florida, thank you for patience, understanding, and kindness towards our team throughout this unprecedented time.

10th October 2024 at 15:30pm
Tampa International Airport & Florida Theme Parks Expected to Reopen from Friday
Following minimal damage from Hurricane Milton, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that Tampa International Airport (TPA) should reopen on Friday 11th October after repairs.
DeSantis also urged those affected to exercise caution, particularly around storm hazards. He advised people to avoid walking through floodwaters due to risks such as downed power lines and debris from fallen trees.
While Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and other parks in Orlando and across Florida remain closed, they are expected to reopen on Friday 11th October.
If you have partially-used multi-day Walt Disney World tickets impacted by the closures on Thursday 10th October, your tickets will be automatically extended, allowing you to use the remaining days until 11th October 2025. For wholly unused Walt Disney World tickets that were affected by Hurricane Milton, these may be adjusted to a new start date. If you have a ticket for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dated Thursday 10th October, these will be refunded.
For Universal Orlando Resort ticket holders with tickets dated Wednesday 9th October or Thursday 10th October, these tickets can be used on any day up until Wednesday 18th December 2024. If you have a Halloween Horror Night ticket for either date, it can be used on any remaining nights of the event.

10th October 2024 at 9:00am
Hurricane Milton Makes Landfall on Gulf Coast, Heads Towards Florida's Northeast Coast
Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key in Sarasota County at 8:30pm (EST) on Wednesday 9th October as a Category 3 storm. It has since weakened to a Category 1 hurricane and is now moving towards Florida's northeastern coast. Despite the reduced intensity, there remains a significant risk of heavy rain and severe flooding.
The storm has left nearly 2 million people without power, and extended outages are anticipated. You can monitor real-time power outage updates here.
If your travel plans are affected, you can contact us on 020 3814 2198 for help rearranging your flight and accommodation. In case of emergency, call 001-407 421 1584 (an out-of-hours number monitored from 5pm to 8am GMT).

9th October 2024 at 8:30am
Walt Disney World to Close From Wednesday at 1PM With Other Florida Theme Parks Due to Follow
In the interests of public safety, Walt Disney World has announced a phased closure starting Wednesday 9th October at 1pm, with a strong likelihood that the park will remain closed on Thursday 10th October. This will impact all Disney theme parks, as well as Disney Springs, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf.
Please note that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom on Thursday 10th October has been cancelled, and tickets for the event will be refunded. Additionally, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will be closed from Wednesday 9th October, through to Sunday 13th October.
Universal Orlando Resort will close Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk starting at 2pm on Wednesday 9th October (subject to change based on weather forecasts). These areas will remain closed through Thursday 10th October. As a result, Halloween Horror Nights will be cancelled for those two nights. If you have tickets for Halloween Horror Nights dated Wednesday 9th October, or Thursday 10th October, you can use these tickets on any remaining nights of the event. Universal Volcano Bay will be closed on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Other Orlando and Florida attractions, including SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, Aquatica Orlando, Gatorland, and Kennedy Space Center, will also be closed on Wednesday 9th October, and Thursday 10th October.

8th October 2024 at 11:30am
Melbourne Orlando International Airport to Close From 2PM Wednesday
In response to Hurricane Milton becoming a Category 5 hurricane, Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) will close commercial flight operations from 2pm on Wednesday until 9am on Friday.
“MLB will remain open during the duration of the storm for emergency operations,” said a MLB spokesperson, “We remind the public that the airport is not a shelter, and travellers are encouraged to check their flight status directly with the airline.”
If your travel plans are affected, you can contact us on 020 3814 2198 for help rearranging your flight and accommodation. In case of emergency, call 1-407 421 1584.
If we are ever unavailable over the phone, you may also request changes to your travel details via the Manage My Booking portal.

8th October 2024 at 8:30am
Orlando International Airport to Suspend Operations From 8AM Wednesday
Orlando International Airport (MCO) has announced they will suspend all commercial and cargo operations from 8am (EST) on Wednesday in preparation for Hurricane Milton's landfall on Wednesday, 9th October.
If your travel plans are affected, you can contact us on 020 3814 2198 for help rearranging your flight and accommodation. In case of emergency, call 1-407 421 1584.
If we are ever unavailable over the phone, you may also request changes to your travel details via the Manage My Booking portal.

7th October 2024 at 3:30pm
Tampa International Airport to Suspend Operations From 9AM Tuesday
Ahead of Hurricane Milton making landfall on Wednesday, Tampa International Airport (TPA) will suspend all commercial and cargo operations from 9am (EST) on Tuesday.
The airport will not be equipped to use as a shelter during the storm and is expected to be closed to the public until it can be checked for damage after the storm passes.
If your flight is affected, you can expect your airline to rearrange your flight free of charge on the earliest available date. However, if you voluntarily cancel your flight, perhaps due to concerns about the aftermath of the hurricane, you may be expected to cover the additional cost.
To make sure you are aware of the status of your flight we recommend the following:
· Regularly check the website of your airline for updates
· Ensure your airline has your contact information so they can contact you directly
· Consistently monitor your email for any updates from your airline

7th October 2024 at 10:30am
Important Information for Ocean Florida Customers Affected by Hurricane Milton
We have important information for Ocean Florida customers regarding Hurricane Milton, including its current weather pattern and what to do if your holiday is affected.
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Wednesday 9th October as a category 3 or 4 storm, with large-scale evacuation plans proposed for the west coast of Florida and its barrier islands.
Current forecasts anticipate that Hurricane Milton will hit the Tampa Bay area before travelling over Orlando, causing widespread damage and disruption as it passes through.
If you are currently on holiday with us or due to travel in the coming days, we recommend that you take the time to read all the guidelines below to ensure that you are as prepared as possible to enjoy a safe stay in Florida.
Information for All Customers in Florida
What to Do in a Hurricane Warning
You must pay attention to the weather and news updates on local TV & radio stations. As such, it is useful to know which county you are staying in, and if you are unsure, you can find out using this helpful county locator map.
What to Expect
There may be a curfew, or evacuations planned during the hurricane and it is crucial for your own protection that you adhere to these rules. Details around curfews or evacuations will be announced on all local TV & radio stations, and we shall also be in touch with you directly to confirm what we know.
There may be power outages during and after the hurricane, which could disrupt the electricity supplied to your home. Rest assured this issue is usually temporary, and utility companies will fix the supply as soon as it is safe to do so.
Preparing for a Hurricane Checklist
· Make sure that all your travel documents and valuables are in a safe place so that you can access them quickly if necessary
· Pack a small bag with essential personal items, such as medication, toiletries, and a change of clothing
· Make sure you have some cash – should the power go down cash machines may not work
· Make sure that you have enough gasoline in your car as you may not be able to refuel during or soon after the hurricane
· Identify a safe place in your home – ideally an area with no windows and away from outside walls
· If safe to do so, place all exterior movable objects into the garage (i.e., trash bins and BBQs)
· Place all outdoor furniture into the pool – this will prevent them from being blown around and causing damage
· Purchase water: we recommend 1 gallon/3 litres of water per person – if you cannot buy bottled water, use zip-lock bags, fill these with water and place them in the freezer. Alternatively, we do have emergency supplies at our Orlando office should you need them, however, these are limited to 1 gallon per family
· Purchase food: ready-to-eat items, ideally non-perishable, packed, or canned food items. Please consider that you may lose power during and immediately after a hurricane
· Make sure that you have a torch/flashlight
· If you are travelling with small children, make sure you have enough wipes, nappies/diapers and baby food
· Consider books and games to keep you amused
· Consider having a battery-operated radio
During a Hurricane Checklist
· Stay inside. It is critical that you do not go outside of your home during the hurricane, not even for a short time
· Whilst the power is on, remember to keep up to date via local TV & radio stations
· When the eye of the storm passes over, there is often complete calm, which is often mistaken for the end of the hurricane. The calm can last some time, but the wind will return suddenly and often with greater force. Please do not go outside until advised to do so by local authorities
· Follow all instructions provided by local authorities
· Stay as calm as possible
Contacting Us During Hurricanes
Please note that our Orlando telephone lines may not be working, and our Orlando-based staff may not be able to get into the office, including adherence to any curfew that has been issued.
Our contact details are as follows: phone +1 407 390 6422 and dial option 1 for customer service.
In addition, we do have an emergency after-hours line available for you to contact us on when we are not in the office, this number is +1 407 421 1584.
Alternatively, if you are unable to reach any of our staff based in Orlando, we recommend that you contact your booking agent directly for assistance.
If You Are Currently Staying in Gulf Coast Villas
Please note that your villa is hurricane-proofed; therefore, it is unlikely that you will need to be evacuated to local shelters. Instead, you will only need to evacuate if advised to do so by the police or government, and it is vital that you follow any instructions issued by local authorities.
If you need to extend your stay at a property, due to a missed flight or an accommodation transfer, we are happy to arrange this extension. Please call us on +1 407 390 6422 so that we may check our reservation options at your current property or the possibility of transferring your party to alternate accommodation when it is safe to do so. If you are required to pay any fees for extending your stay, please keep a receipt of the payment so that you may seek to claim the expenses back via your travel insurance.
If You Are Currently Staying in Gulf Coast Hotels
You can expect hotel management to be in regular contact with you regarding their hurricane safety procedures. If you need to extend your stay, the hotel should be able to accommodate you given the extenuating circumstances. If you are required to pay any fees for extending your stay, please keep a receipt of the payment so that you may seek to claim the expenses back via your travel insurance. If your travel insurance does not cover natural disasters, please contact us instead regarding any additional accommodation costs.
If you find yourself without accommodation, please contact us on +1 407 421 1584.
If You Are Due to Travel During the Hurricane
We expect that flights leaving Florida will be subject to delays and cancellations. The major airports in the forecast trajectory of Hurricane Milton, Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tampa International Airport (TPA) are currently monitoring the situation, and we shall endeavour to keep you updated as more information becomes available.
If your airline closes, you can expect them to rearrange your flight free of charge on the earliest available date. However, if you voluntarily cancel your flight, perhaps due to concerns about the final trajectory of the hurricane, you may be expected to cover the additional cost.
To make sure you are aware of the status of your flight we recommend the following:
· Regularly check the website of your airline for updates
· Ensure your airline has your contact information so they can contact you directly
· Regularly check your email for any updates from your airline
Please do not travel to the airport until you have checked the latest airline information, and here is where you can confirm the status of your flight:
Virgin Atlantic
- Website: https://www.virginatlantic.com/flight-status/search
- Telephone number: 03448 747 747
British Airways
- Website: http://www.britishairways.com/rtad/travel/public/en_gb
- Telephone number: 0344 493 0787
United Airlines
- Website: https://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/travel/flightstatus/default.aspx
- Telephone number: 800 864 8331
American Airlines
- Website: https://www.aa.com/travelInformation/flights/status
- Telephone number: 800 433 7300
TUI
- Website: https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/travel-information
- Telephone number: 033 33 365 147
Aer Lingus
- Website: https://www.aerlingus.com/support/disrupted-flights/latest-travel-updates/
- Telephone number: 0333 004 5000
Once it is deemed safe to travel, please contact your airline to arrange an alternative flight.
You can also contact us on 020 3814 2198 for help rearranging your flight and accommodation. However, if you booked your holiday through a local travel agent, please contact them directly first.
If we are ever unavailable over the phone, you may also get in contact via the Manage My Booking portal.
