You can do all the planning necessary to make sure you have a seamless and PERFECT Disney World trip, but sometimes things still happen that throw a wrench in those amazing plans.
A rainy day in Magic Kingdom
Sometimes you have to deal with flight delays and cancelations. Sometimes there are technical issues that cause ride closures. Sometimes, bad weather can affect both your flights and the theme park rides, and, well, we’ve got some bad news on that front for this weekend.
There’s a potential storm heading to Orlando this weekend that could disrupt your Disney World plans. The storm is expected to bring a LOT of rain and gusty winds, but it could also bring more severe weather.
Well friends, we've got ourselves a storm;
Here's a look at the global model runs. Both bring a pretty powerful storm system in, with it big flooding rains and gusty winds- but also potentially severe weather.
Next few days will give more specifics. Not a nice weekend ahead… pic.twitter.com/4smIY7wDt0
— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) December 14, 2023
If this storm does arrive in Orlando, it’s likely that you’ll see some things at Disney World close, including outdoor rides (that’s Disney’s policy, by the way). But other things could close in Disney World, too, including water parks. As it stands, Blizzard Beach is already closed on December 16th and 17th ahead of this storm.
©Disney
As it stands, the Storm Prediction Center has upgraded the Orlando area to a level 2 out of 5 risk for scattered strong to severe storms throughout the weekend. The main concerns are wind gusts and tornados.
SPC has upgraded our area to a level 2 out of 5 risk for scattered strong to severe storms for late tomorrow into Sunday morning.
Looking at wind gusts and tornadoes as our main concerns.
It's going to get nasty friends… pic.twitter.com/PG8GOhnVgb
— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) December 15, 2023
If severe weather DOES head towards Disney World, Cast Members will be on hand to tell you what you should do and where to shelter. As we previously mentioned, outdoor rides will shut down, but other ride closures could follow, depending on how severe the weather is. Just be sure to pay attention to Cast Members and follow their instructions.
Rainy day at Hollywood Studios
If you are planning to hit the parks, be sure to bring rain gear — pack a poncho or raincoat in your day bag. When it rains in Orlando, it can POUR, and you’ll want to stay as dry as possible. It’s also a good idea to keep a spare pair of socks — and even shoes — on hand.
Bring your raincoats and ponchos
If you’re flying into or out of Orlando International Airport, note that this weather could potentially affect your flight, too. Be sure to stay weather-aware and download both the MCO App and your airline’s app to stay updated on any changes to your flight’s status.
We’ll also be keeping an eye on the weather in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more.
A Complete List of the Attractions that Close When There’s Bad Weather in Disney World
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Thanks for mentioning a few dates in the article. Usually posts that say “this weekend” or “today” never contain the date and the url address is not visible on a mobile device without extra taps and scrolling (Maybe androids show the full ugly url but iPhones do not)