Florida sunshine is a given for most Walt Disney World vacations, but this week is shaping up a little differently. A strong cold front is on its way, and by the weekend, guests could be reaching for sweaters instead of sunscreen, and possibly rethinking a water park day.
Here’s what to expect.
A Warm Start Before the Chill
The good news is that the first half of the week looks pleasant. According to Click Orlando, Monday and Tuesday will bring a blend of clouds and sunshine, with afternoon highs in the low 80s. Mornings will range from the upper 50s to the upper 60s, and you may notice some patchy fog early on.
Wednesday is when things start to shift. A disturbance crossing Florida pushes rain chances up to around 30% to 40% in the afternoon and evening, along with scattered showers and the possibility of a few thunderstorms. Highs should still sit in the low 80s.
Thursday looks cloudy with a few leftover showers. The cold front then sweeps through late Thursday night into early Friday. Click Orlando doesn’t expect widespread heavy rain, though a few extra showers could pop up, especially south of Orlando.
When the Temperatures Really Drop
Friday is where you’ll feel the difference. Highs are forecast to struggle toward the upper 60s to low 70s, and gusty northwest winds will add an extra bite.
The weekend brings the biggest chill. Click Orlando’s forecast says “Saturday and Sunday mornings are expected to be the coldest of the season so far,” with lows possibly dipping into the mid to upper 40s across much of Central Florida. Saturday afternoon may only reach the low to mid-60s before things warm gradually on Sunday, when 70s return to parts of the area.
What It Means for Water Park Plans
This is the part water park fans will want to pay attention to. Disney’s water parks are very sensitive to weather, and cooler days have affected their schedules before.
Back in 2024, a panelist on planDisney, Disney’s official vacation planning forum, explained that on notably chilly or windy days, “it’s possible that some water-based recreational offerings may not be available.” They also passed along that a cast member had said the water parks may not be available when daytime temperatures are forecast to fall below about 70°F.
That advice is a couple of years old, but closures earlier this year and in 2025 suggest it’s still a reliable guide. With Friday hovering around 70 and Saturday stuck in the 60s, Disney’s operating water park has a real chance of closing for part of the weekend.
There’s some comfort for swimmers, though. That same planDisney response noted that most Disney Resort hotel pools are heated to around 82°F all year. Outdoor water rides could be a different story, so don’t be surprised to see limited availability at attractions like Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom or Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom.
Looking further ahead, Disney has confirmed that Blizzard Beach will close and Typhoon Lagoon will reopen on January 27, 2027, which is worth noting for anyone booking a late-January trip.
Our Advice
Check the My Disney Experience app each morning for the latest water park updates, as the planDisney panelist suggested, or ask a cast member at your Disney Resort hotel’s front desk. Got your heart set on a water park? Aim for earlier in the week while temperatures are in the low 80s. And pack layers, including a jacket for early mornings and evenings.
The upside? Cooler weather makes for some very comfortable days at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
How do you plan for a cooler Florida trip? Let us know in the comments below!
