Hurricane Matthew has prompted Walt Disney World in Florida to close down for just the fourth time ever since theme park opened in 1971. Disney officials announced Thursday the park would be closing early, at 5 p.m., and remain closed through Friday, as the Category 4 storm is expected to rip through Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The closures extend to "theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, miniature golf courses, and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex," a spokesperson said.
The last time Disney World closed its gates was Sept. 26, 2004, in anticipation of Hurricane Jeanne. In 1999, the park closed twice: once for Hurricane Frances on Sept. 4 and 5, and another time for Hurricane Floyd on Sept. 15.
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Hurricane Matthew was upgraded to a Category 4 storm Thursday morning and is expected to bring winds of up to 140 miles per hour. Both President Obama and Florida Gov. Rick Scott have declared a state of emergency in the Sunshine State.
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