On this day in 2004, Hurricane Charley hit Central Florida and the Walt Disney World Resort. All four parks closed at 1:00 PM to allow guests and cast members to seek shelter. This was only the third closure in Walt Disney World history. The storm hit just after 8:00 PM as a category 4 hurricane. The parks opened the next day, thankfully with only light structural damage and some downed trees, thanks to careful advance preparation from Cast Members. [20 years ago in 2024]