Fact Check: Claims of Hurricane Milton Destroying Disney World Are False
Hurricane Milton did not destroy Disney World as claimed in viral social media posts. The park sustained only minor damage, closed briefly due to the storm, and reopened shortly after. The misinformation is propagated by a video using unrelated images, misleading viewers about the actual impact on the park.
Recent misinformation has circulated on social media claiming that Hurricane Milton destroyed Disney World. A Facebook post featuring a video depicting severe flooding and purported storm damage was shared over 12,000 times. However, the assertion that Disney World suffered significant destruction is false. The theme park only experienced minor damage and reopened the day after the storm. While the video included a mix of unrelated footage, it led many to mistakenly believe the park was severely impacted. Disney World made the decision to close its parks on October 9, the day Hurricane Milton approached, and had not suffered any serious damage based on reports from major media outlets and park visitors alike.
Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm, prompting Disney World to close down its operations—a rare occurrence given that the park operates year-round. Historical precedents illustrate that Disney World has only closed due to significant events on a handful of occasions, including other hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic. Fact-checking organizations, such as Reuters and PolitiFact, have actively debunked the widespread claims about severe damage to the park, affirming that no major theme parks were significantly harmed during the storm’s impact.
In conclusion, the initial claims suggesting the destruction of Disney World by Hurricane Milton are unfounded. The park sustained only minor damage and resumed operations following the storm. The mix of genuine and unrelated footage served to create a misleading narrative. Maintaining a commitment to factual information is essential, especially during natural disasters that impact beloved locations.
Original Source: www.usatoday.com
