If you’ve spent the summer mopping your brow in the Magic Kingdom hub or searching for any patch of shade in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we have some good news. Cooler, more comfortable mornings are about to return to Walt Disney World for the first time in months.
Central Florida’s first cold front of the season is sweeping through this week, arriving only days after fall officially began. Local forecasters at Click Orlando are clearly in the seasonal mood, noting that “Mother Nature is wasting no time getting Central Florida into the Fall spirit!” The front is expected to bring “a nice dose of cooler, less humid air into the area,” and that could make a real difference as you make your way through Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
How Long Has It Been?
A while. Forecasters report that “Temperatures drop down into the mid-upper 60s by Saturday morning for the first time in 110 days!”
In other words, Orlando hasn’t seen a morning below 70 degrees in about three and a half months. If you visited any time during the busy summer season, you likely remember that even the earliest rope drop line offered little break from the humidity. Disney can build new attractions and refresh entire lands, but it can’t order up a cool breeze, so this one is all nature.
Your Weekend Forecast
Here’s what the next few days are shaping up to look like.
The front arrives Thursday morning with a few scattered showers. Most of that rain is expected along the coast in Flagler and Volusia counties, and forecasters say “Coverage will top out at around 30%.” Since Walt Disney World is located well inland in Orange and Osceola counties, your chances of getting caught in a downpour are fairly low.
Starting Friday, drier and cooler air “will begin to filter in early Friday morning and continue into the weekend.” By Saturday and Sunday, you can look forward to “morning lows in the 60s” and “highs in the mid 80s under a mix of sun and clouds.” Thanks to the lower humidity, those afternoons should feel much easier than anything since June.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
If you’re planning a water park day, note that cooler weather has historically affected Disney’s water parks more than anything else on property. Disney’s Blizzard Beach, the ski resort that famously melted into a water park, has experienced delayed openings or temporary closures on colder days before, as Disney reserves the right to adjust operations due to weather. Temperatures this weekend aren’t expected to cause significant issues, though the early hours may feel cool.
The same thinking applies to rides where you’re likely to get wet, like Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom. A 68-degree morning with a breeze may have you rethinking that front-row seat.
On the bright side, the timing is excellent for the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom. Both events keep you outdoors for hours, and a drier evening will make trick-or-treating down Main Street, U.S.A., or strolling the World Showcase far more pleasant.
What This Means for You
Bring a light layer for early mornings and evenings, then stash it in your bag once temperatures reach the mid-80s. Expect a small chance of showers Thursday, with steadily better conditions from Friday onward. Save water parks for the afternoon, and check the official Walt Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app for hours before you go.
What’s your favorite kind of weather for a Walt Disney World day? Tell us in the comments!
