ORLANDO, Fla. — Disney World announced it will start closing its parks starting Wednesday before Hurricane Milton arrives. That plan interrupted a vacation for one Indiana family.
Payton Saunders and her husband spent more than a year planning a Disney World trip for their three boys. It's their kids' first trip to the park and they wanted to give their 6-year-old son a birthday he would never forget.
"We were having a great time. Everything was great. Honestly, the lines were super short so it seemed like it was great," Payton said.
She planned out everything perfectly, even down to their daily outfits, but what she didn't plan for was Milton.
"Everything was great up until about 5 p.m. (Tuesday), they decided to send out a message that they're closing Magic Kingdom. I was like, 'They never close Magic Kingdom, we are out of here,'" Payton said.
It was enough for them to leave the park, but what they learned next was enough for them to leave the state.
"More information came out talking about being in the hallways and what to do if we lose electricity or things I didn't think of, like pulling out cash at an ATM in case if they don't have ways to charge your credit card to buy things, and of course the gas scare," Payton said.
She said they left within the hour.
"It was a split decision. I got the message, I said, 'Let's pack up the car.' I said, 'I'm going to the front desk, you go pack up the boys. Get them in their pajamas and let's get to the car,'" Payton recounted.
While they were on the road, she said she couldn't help but think about the people she left behind.
"It's horrible," Payton said. "It's so sad just being here right now. I feel bad for the people who have to stay and are working at Disney, too. My heart goes out to them."
And although their trip was cut short, Payton said she feels like they made the right decision.
"I said, 'You know guys, all that matters that we are safe' and that nothing happens to them. I cannot imagine what I would do if something happens to them because I stayed," Payton said.
The family plans to finish their birthday celebrations in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.