Despite whatever tale you may have heard about a dome stretching across Disney World that allows the powers that be to control the weather — it, unfortunately, isn’t true.

That was never clearer than on a recent evening when EPCOT guests spotted what appeared to be some sort of funnel-shaped cloud forming over Spaceship Earth. So, was there really a tornado at EPCOT recently? And, what if you’re stuck in severe weather while you’re in Disney World? Luckily, we’ve got the answers.

Central Florida is certainly no stranger to severe thunderstorms, and if you’ve ever been caught in the rain (sadly without a piña colada) at Disney World you know just how it can quickly impact your trip.

Recently, on September 15th, 2022, guests looking to enjoy an evening at EPCOT were shocked to see a pretty ominous-looking cloud forming over the park.

Many guests were quick to point out that the cloud was funnel-shaped, and word soon spread that there was a tornado at Disney World.

Was it really a tornado, or even a funnel cloud?

FUNNEL CLOUD? Guests at Walt Disney World's EPCOT park spotted this ominous cloud on Thursday, September 15. The National Weather Service in Melbourne reported this was a potential funnel cloud. #funnelcloud #Disney #knowbefore pic.twitter.com/QIpAXwJhFT

— WeatherBug (@WeatherBug) September 16, 2022

Initially, News 6 meteorologist Samira Cokinos, stated that it was most likely a scud cloud. She went on to describe it as “a jagged cloud that gets sucked into the updraft of a thunderstorm.” They can often be misidentified as funnel clouds or tornadoes, Cokinos commented.

UPDATE: The National Weather Service in Melbourne has confirmed that the cloud was rotating briefly, so it was in fact a funnel cloud. There was no touchdown reported (News 6).

There were no severe weather warnings at the time, though Disney World has been seeing torrential storms and flood advisories lately.

What can you do if you find yourself in the parks on a stormy day? First things first — pack your poncho! Not only that, but try to find the nearest shelter if storms do start to get severe. The most important thing to remember, though, is to listen to Cast Member instructions and follow them in the event of a storm.

You can also try to plan out which attractions are still available to ride in the rain so the fun doesn’t have to stop — see a list of which attractions shut down for weather here.

Important Tips for Handling Severe Weather in Disney World

Looking for more Disney World news? Check out the latest store to have mobile checkout here, and see all the surprising details that may be coming to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure here. See our latest Disney World snack review here — trust us, you’ll want to find out where to get these foods!

Don’t forget to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news and more!

 

Have you ever experienced severe weather in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!