A powerful rainstorm swept through Magic Kingdom today, abruptly cutting short the park day for many guests and emptying out entire areas of the park — including Fantasyland, which looked more like an abandoned movie set than one of Walt Disney World’s busiest lands.
A video posted by content creator @DisneyClipsGuy on X shows an astonishing sight: a fully soaked, nearly guest-free Frontierland just after the skies opened up. The storm arrived quickly and was accompanied by thunder and lightning, prompting temporary closures across much of the park’s outdoor ride lineup and leading to an early exodus for overheated guests.
Did I mention my intense fear of lightning? 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/j1eycxMgBT
— Disney Clips Guy (@disneytipsguy) July 28, 2025
Orlando Heat Index Surpasses 112° — Then Comes the Rain
It’s been a brutal week in Central Florida. The National Weather Service issued repeated heat advisories for the area, warning of a “Level 4” heat risk — the highest on the scale — with real feel temperatures topping 112 degrees Fahrenheit for multiple consecutive days.
By mid-afternoon today, the combination of unrelenting humidity and scorching pavement had already pushed many visitors to their limits. Then came the storm. Heavy rainfall and a lightning advisory caused an operational pause for several outdoor attractions, including:
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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
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Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
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Jungle Cruise
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Astro Orbiter
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The Barnstormer
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Dumbo the Flying Elephant
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Tomorrowland Speedway
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Magic Carpets of Aladdin
With limited options for outdoor entertainment and soaking wet walkways, a growing number of guests chose to call it a day.
Afternoon Storms Aren’t Unusual — But the Timing Was Brutal
Frequent visitors to Walt Disney World are no strangers to pop-up thunderstorms during the summer season. They often roll in between 2:00 and 5:00 PM, last 20–30 minutes, and clear up before dinner. But this particular storm arrived fast and hard — right as heat exhaustion was already setting in for many parkgoers.
By the time lightning was reported in the area, crowd control measures were already underway. Cast Members stationed at outdoor rides advised guests of temporary closures, and My Disney Experience updates confirmed delays for multiple attractions.
Indoor Attractions Offer a Critical Respite — If You Can Get In
For guests who decided to stick it out, the park’s wealth of indoor attractions suddenly became more than just entertainment — they became shelter.
Longtime favorites like Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, and “it’s a small world” remained open during the storm. But as more guests sought dry ground, queue times and indoor dining locations quickly filled up. Restaurants like Columbia Harbour House and Cosmic Ray’s saw heavy traffic as families took refuge with meals and air conditioning.
Even attractions like Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress — which usually sees modest foot traffic — had full theater rooms during peak storm activity.
Guests Forced to Choose Between Heat or Rain
The weather whiplash put many guests in a difficult spot: brave extreme heat earlier in the day or risk getting drenched and stuck in long queues later. In the end, the storm was enough to drive away a substantial portion of the crowd.
Social media posts showed packed Monorail stations and long lines forming at park exits — a clear sign that many decided the weather simply wasn’t worth waiting out.
Expect Everything, Pack for Anything
Today’s brief but powerful storm was a dramatic example of why planning for Florida weather is essential for anyone heading to Disney World in the summer months. Ponchos, portable fans, refillable water bottles, and a mental Plan B are all crucial tools for beating both the heat and the rain.
It may sound like overkill, but in a place where one moment you’re sweating through a water bottle refill stop and the next you’re dodging puddles and lightning, the right gear — and a little patience — can mean the difference between salvaging the day or heading for the exit soaked and exhausted.
