A rare weather phenomenon swept through Walt Disney World Resort last week, leaving guests struggling with near-zero visibility across the property. As dense fog blanketed roads, theme parks, and Disney Resort hotels, some visitors reported hazardous driving conditions, eerie park landscapes, and an overall unexpected start to their vacation.
Extreme Weather at Disney World
Walt Disney World Resort is no stranger to unpredictable weather. From summer thunderstorms to hurricane-season flooding, guests know to expect occasional disruptions. But in recent weeks, Florida’s weather has taken a dramatic turn. After a historic cold front sent temperatures plummeting across the state, Disney Park guests met a different challenge: a thick, disorienting fog.
Disney Parks fans took to social media to share their experiences, posting photos of the theme parks and resorts shrouded in mist. Reddit user u/TheLastGunslinger captured an eerie scene from Disney’s Riviera Resort, posting a foggy lake view with the caption, “Foggy morning at Riviera.”
Foggy morning at Riviera
byu/TheLastGunslinger inWaltDisneyWorld
Another guest, u/javascap, documented their walk from Disney’s Yacht Club Resort to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, noting that the park’s iconic Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had all but vanished in the haze:
The Hollywood Tower Hotel from the Yacht Club walking path.
The Hollywood Tower Hotel from the Yacht Club walking path.
byu/Javascap inWaltDisneyWorld
“I took this picture today of the gorgeous view of Hollywood Studios famous landmark,” they wrote. “What a way to start a day!”
The fog wasn’t just limited to resort areas. Reddit user u/wild-manufacturer555 shared three images of the famous Walt Disney World archway sign disappearing into the mist, captioning the post, “Very foggy morning at the parks!”
Very foggy morning at the parks!
byu/Wild_Manufacturer555 inWaltDisneyWorld
Guests Report Dangerous Driving Conditions
While some guests saw the fog as a unique, almost cinematic addition to their Walt Disney World Resort vacation, others faced real hazards on the road. Dense fog can significantly impair visibility, creating a dangerous situation for drivers heading into the resort.
Reddit user u/quasmiofoo described their drive, writing, “I drove up the Florida Turnpike to WDW Friday morning from Miami. Between Fort Pierce and Orlando it was foggy conditions that was so dense in some parts I couldn’t see the road 50 yards ahead of me.”
For families staying on Walt Disney World Resort property, the fog added an unexpected twist to their morning routine.
“We’re at Boardwalk right now and the first thing our daughter said was, ‘Oooo spooky!'” u/beer_before_friends wrote.
The Real Risks of Fog at Disney World
Although fog itself isn’t inherently dangerous, it poses significant risks for drivers. The Federal Highway Administration warns that “low visibility conditions cause increased speed variance, which increases crash risk.” According to the agency, more than 38,700 vehicle crashes occur in fog annually, resulting in over 600 deaths and 16,300 injuries.
While there were no reported incidents at Walt Disney World Resort due to the fog, the conditions served as a reminder that even The Most Magical Place on Earth isn’t immune to nature’s unpredictability.
What’s the most unusual weather event you’ve experienced at Walt Disney World Resort? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!
Nothing like being on Main street and watching fog lift to reveal the castle.