Orlando’s tourism machine began grinding to a halt Tuesday with at least three major theme parks and the main airport announcing closures ahead of Hurricane Milton ’s expected hit as a major storm in Florida.

SeaWorld Orlando plans to reopen on Friday after Hurricane Milton ravaged the state of Florida.The Florida theme park closed early on Wednesday and stayed closed Thursday in anticipation of the storm's impact.

Becoming an Orlando Weekly Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.

Officials say a team of animal care experts, including veterinarians, will remain onsite 24/7 to monitor the animals.

SeaWorld Orlando and its two Orlando water parks are shutting down Wednesday and Thursday. Those are the first of Orlando’s major theme parks to close as the region faces the threat of potentially 110 mph winds from Hurricane Milton. SeaWorld employees are bunkering down to keep the park’s orcas, manatees, birds and other animals safe.

Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando are closing Wednesday and Thursday amid the impacts of Hurricane Milton in Central Florida, adding to the list of attractions that are closed for the storm.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tourism in Orlando rapidly came to a standstill Wednesday with the main airport and at least three theme parks and other businesses set to shut down, leaving Florida residents and visitors fleeing Hurricane Milton to hunker down in area hotels.

Walt Disney World said its theme park in Florida would remain closed on Thursday, joining other major Orlando attractions preparing for disruptions as Hurricane Milton approaches the state.

Disney World and Universal announced that parks will remain closed Thursday after Hurricane Milton brought damaging winds and flooding to Florida. The Walt Disney World theme parks, water parks, recreation offerings and Disney Springs are now closed through Thursday,