Walt Disney World Resort Confirms What Is Happening With Its Park After Closure Reported

A rocky start to 2025 for Central Florida.

The holiday season at Walt Disney World has been nothing short of magical, with record-breaking crowds flocking to experience everything from stunning New Year’s Eve fireworks to rare character meet-and-greets. Guests have fully embraced the resort’s festive offerings, snapping up the divisive Lightning Lane Premier Pass and reveling in the park’s seasonal overlays.

But as the holiday cheer fades, a harsh reality is settling in: Central Florida’s weather has taken a frosty turn. The unexpected chill has already forced one of Florida’s premier water parks to temporarily close. Universal Orlando Resort’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park has announced a two-day shutdown for January 2 and 3, 2025, citing cold weather concerns.

The announcement came via Universal Orlando Resort’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, where they shared:

“Universal Volcano Bay will be closed on Thursday, January 2, and Friday, January 3, due to inclement weather. For park updates, please call 407-817-8317 or stay tuned to Universal Orlando’s social channels.”

This isn’t the first closure for Volcano Bay this season. Just days ago, the park was unexpectedly shuttered on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2024, as chilly weather blanketed the region.

According to a December report from Click Orlando, temperatures in Central Florida were predicted to dip into the 60s during the day, with overnight lows plunging to the 30s and 40s. “Wind chill values will mostly be in the 40s, but some areas may feel like the mid to upper 30s,” the forecast noted. Such temperatures can wreak havoc on outdoor water parks, making closures almost inevitable.

Interestingly, while Universal’s Volcano Bay remains closed, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park is staying the course. Despite the frigid weather, Blizzard Beach—currently the only operational Disney water park with Typhoon Lagoon on indefinite hiatus—remains open at the time of this writing. This comes after Blizzard Beach experienced its own weather-related closures in late December, spanning multiple days during another cold front.

For now, guests eager to take on Summit Plummet or relax at Tike’s Peak can still do so, but for how long remains uncertain. As another arctic blast looms, set to hit Central Florida around January 6, 2025, the region’s theme parks may face further disruptions. A new report from Click Orlando warns, “Temperatures will absolutely plummet when the first major winter system drags that dense but shallow layer of arctic air south.”

Patience might be key for those planning to enjoy Central Florida’s renowned water parks. With more frigid weather on the horizon, waiting for warmer days could make for a much more enjoyable experience.

Do you think Blizzard Beach should close its gates during these chilly spells? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!