Updated: SeaWorld Orlando, Walt Disney World and Universal offer free tickets to stranded travellers

SeaWorld Orlando is among the parks offering free tickets to travellers stranded in the chaos caused by drifting volcanic ash.

SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are all offering free tickets to travellers stranded in Florida by the ongoing disruption to European flights caused by a volcanic eruption in Iceland.

The free tickets are available to any tourists holding a valid return airline ticket for the period since the volcanic eruption began on April 14. Tickets are available for the SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Disney's Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom theme parks, as well as the Aquatica, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks.

Although some flights are beginning to resume, large swathes of air space remain closed and the BBC reports that another ash cloud is causing further uncertainty. The situation has affected flights to and from airports across Northern Europe, and is rumored to have left some airlines on the brink of bankruptcy.

To claim their free Walt Disney World tickets, stranded tourists should head to a ticket window at any of the resort's parks. There, they can claim one free 1-Day Park Hopper ticket for each valid return ticket shown. Guests must also show photo ID such as a passport or driver's license. Complimentary parking is included in the offer, which will be available initially on Tuesday, April 20 and Wednesday, April 21.

SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa and Aquatica are also offering free single-day tickets, with a limit of one per valid return flight ticket. The offer is available until April 21, or whenever normal flight schedules resume. For further information, guests can call 1-888-800-5447.

Meanwhile, the Orlando Sentinel reports that Universal is offering affected travellers free single-day admission tickets to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure through Wednesday, April 21. The resort is also offering guests already staying at one of its resort hotels a 50% discount on regular rates if they remain in the rooms. The company will also waive cancellation fees for those who booked holidays through its in-house vacation company and were subsequently unable to travel due to the eruption.

For the latest updates on the air travel situation in the UK, see the BBC website travel pages.

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