If you’ve got a Disney World trip on the calendar for this weekend, you’ll want to read this before you pack your bags. A round of unsettled weather is moving into Central Florida, and it has the potential to throw a wrench into ride schedules, transportation, and pool days across the resort.
So what’s actually headed our way? According to Click Orlando, conditions are turning wetter and stormier as we get closer to the weekend. The outlet explained that “the weather pattern changes heading into the weekend as moisture increases and an upper-level low moves across Florida,” which translates to “scattered to numerous showers and storms each day, with rain chances climbing to 70-80%.” That’s a pretty high chance of getting caught in the rain, no matter which day you’re visiting.
It’s not just light drizzle we’re talking about, either. The forecast also flagged the potential for more serious storm activity, saying “a few stronger storms will be possible each day, with frequent lightning, 40 to 50 mph wind gusts, and locally heavy rainfall of 1 to 3 inches.” That kind of rainfall “could lead to some minor flooding, especially where heavy rain repeats,” so soggy shoes might be the least of your worries.
For park-goers, this all adds up to a real chance of disruptions to outdoor rides, parades, and evening shows like Happily Ever After popping up throughout the weekend.
There’s also the monorail situation to keep in mind. Just recently, a lightning strike knocked the monorail system offline, leaving riders stuck on the elevated track for quite a while. Since this weekend’s storms are expected to bring plenty of lightning too, it wouldn’t hurt to have a backup way to get around, like a Disney bus or your own car, just in case.
And don’t forget about pool plans. Disney’s safety rules mean pools and water parks close the moment lightning is detected nearby, so with storms rolling through daily, spots like Blizzard Beach and hotel pools could open and close on and off all weekend. This isn’t unprecedented, either. A storm last month sent hundreds of guests scrambling when outdoor attractions were shut down for safety.
The Bottom Line for Your Trip
If you’re headed to Disney World this weekend, build some wiggle room into your plans. Rides, parades, and fireworks might pause or get canceled with little notice, the monorail could run into hiccups again, and pool time might get cut short here and there.
Bring your rain gear, keep the My Disney Experience app open for updates, and have a few indoor activities ready to go so a little weather doesn’t derail your whole visit.
How do you handle stormy weather at Disney World? Let us know in the comments down below!
