Central Florida is preparing for a surge of visitors this week, with around two million people arriving to experience Walt Disney World Resort. The parks are navigating a mix of record attendance, limited attractions, higher costs, and shifting weather conditions.
Magic Kingdom’s Lightning Lane Premier Passes are fully booked through November 28, with similar sellouts on select dates at other parks during the holiday period. With skip-the-line access unavailable, many guests are moving to lower-tier options, which still carry prices between $179 and $339 depending on the day and park.
Adding to the challenge, fewer rides and experiences are operational. Buzz Lightyear, Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat, and Big Thunder Mountain are either closed temporarily or permanently. Disney’s approach to managing this is clear: overall attendance dropped slightly by 1% year-over-year, but spending per guest rose 3-6%, partially fueled by add-ons like Lightning Lane purchases.
Weather will also play a role in park planning. Wednesday is expected to bring the warmest conditions, with highs in the mid-80s—well above average. Rain is unlikely, making it the day to enjoy outdoor attractions. However, a cold front is moving in on Wednesday night and will linger through Thanksgiving Day, according to Click Orlando.
Temperatures will fall to the upper 60s and low 70s, with northerly winds gusting up to 20 mph. Black Friday and Saturday will be cooler still, with morning temperatures in the 40s northwest of I-4 and low 50s elsewhere, climbing only to the 60s by afternoon.
For guests, timing and strategy are key. Rope drop is more important than ever, late-night touring can provide relief from daytime crowds, and Lightning Lane return times will fill quickly due to the reduced number of attractions. Indoor rides and experiences become valuable escapes in the cooler conditions, and packing layers is recommended.
Disney has optimized revenue even with fewer experiences, but this Thanksgiving week introduces one more variable—unpredictable weather.
