At Walt Disney World, the weather doesn’t always play along. Guests expect carefully choreographed entertainment, rides running on schedule, and seamless operations. Yet when Florida storms hit, even the most meticulously planned vacation can be washed out. This week, sudden rains at EPCOT proved just how disruptive those storms can be.
The incident unfolded on August 28, when flash floods left parts of EPCOT’s World Showcase submerged. Parkgoers documented the experience across social media, describing ankle-deep water, lightning striking close by, and entire walkways turned into shallow rivers. Photos and firsthand accounts revealed a theme park moment that no attraction could replicate.
Please share your Epcot flood experiences today.
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Disney has seen its share of weather-related challenges. In 2024 alone, two major hurricanes forced dramatic operational changes. Hurricane Helene canceled Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and altered schedules, while Hurricane Milton prompted a rare one-day closure. Both storms underscored how vulnerable Central Florida’s entertainment hub remains to extreme conditions.
Storms Create Sudden Chaos
Guests at EPCOT reported being caught off guard by the intensity of Wednesday’s storm. One described how quickly conditions worsened: “Got stuck in Italy when the rain really started coming down… area just after America Pavilion and just before Morocco was easily ankle deep…wild! Some of that lightning was definitely less than a mile away.”
Another shared their attempt to navigate the weather: “I walked from the back of the Japan [Pavilion] all the way to the tram. I was soaked head to toe and everything was wet. Heading back tomorrow to do more booths.”
Some visitors said forecasts had given no indication of what was coming. “The wind was really picking up tonight,” one explained. “Before leaving my house, it showed no rain. But of course, typical Florida, it ended up raining anyway.”
A Long History of Weather Interruptions
This week’s flooding was far from the first time rain has interrupted Disney’s operations. In 2022, Hurricane Ian closed every Disney World theme park and resort complex for two full days, delaying guests’ vacations and leaving parts of the property with damage.
Even when hurricanes aren’t in play, storms can grind the parks to a halt. Severe thunderstorms regularly shut down outdoor attractions such as Test Track at EPCOT and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom. Safety regulations require lightning-related closures within a certain radius, sometimes stranding guests in queues or walkways until the all-clear.
Flooding remains an unpredictable factor. EPCOT’s design, with broad walkways and low-lying areas around World Showcase Lagoon, can quickly collect water during heavy rainfall. Videos from August 28 showed puddles that spread into streams, forcing guests to wade or reroute.
Hurricane Season Looms
Florida’s hurricane season officially runs from June through November, with mid-August through mid-October considered the most dangerous period. That timing places EPCOT’s recent storm squarely within the peak of the season. Forecasters warn that more rain is on the horizon, with storms expected daily through next week.
For visitors, the message is clear: Disney may control the attractions, but not the skies. A poncho, patience, and flexible plans remain the best strategies for enduring the weather. At EPCOT this week, many guests learned that lesson the hard way — shoes soaked, clothes dripping, and memories formed under storm clouds.
Were you caught in the heavy rain at Disney World?
