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

Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, two major theme parks in Orlando, are preparing to close as Florida braces for Hurricane Milton to hit as a major storm. Disney said it would shutter its theme parks and Disney Springs entertainment complex in phases beginning at 1 p.

In a rare occurrence, Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando will shut down this week in response to Hurricane Milton, a major hurricane set to impact Florida beginning late on Wednesday.