Credit: Inside the MagicUPDATE: Florida is now on high alert for a tornado as the extreme weather patterns around Orlando escalate. Inside the Magic has reported that winds of 60 MPH will be hitting the Northern Central Florida area around Disney World, with accompanying storms and possible flooding. We caution everyone in the area to proceed carefully and stay safe.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Florida until 5 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/f5ryRJaILt
— NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) April 3, 2024
Florida authorities are bracing for a new emergency around the Walt Disney World Resort, bringing a new layer of dangerous stress to Guests trying to plan their vacations.
Disney World has had to deal with numerous potential crises in the last several years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes, measles outbreaks across Central Florida, the worrying rise of leprosy in the state, and, not least, the sheer frustration of trying to book stays at Magic Kingdom. Despite all of that, the famed theme park has been experiencing enormous volumes of tourists, sometimes to the point of straining its capacity to hold them all.
The Walt Disney World Resort is also seeing a dangerous resurgence of an issue that turned it into “Hell on Earth” last year: extreme heat conditions that expose children and the elderly to serious bodily harm. Orlando was initially selected by Walt Disney himself as an ideal location for his next resort due to its year-round potential climate for visitors; decades later, however, increasingly frequent extreme heat in Florida has turned the park into a danger zone.
Related: Walt Disney World Confirmed To Go Dark in August 2045
Much of that has to do with the basic construction of Disney World, which is predominately composed of concrete and asphalt, two building materials that are notorious for retaining heat. Combine that with the lack of green spaces (such as shady trees and cool-friendly grasses), and above-90s Fahrenheit heat can become potentially deadly.
According to the EPA, the “population of adults aged 65 and older, which is expected to continue to grow, has a higher-than-average risk of heat-related death. Children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than adults, and they must rely on others to help keep them safe.” Statistics show that “more than 1,300 deaths per year in the United States are due to extreme heat, compared with about 600 deaths per year in the “underlying and contributing causes.”
The National Weather Service reports the following groups as particularly endangered by heat conditions:
- Young children and infants are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than are adults.
- Older adults, particularly those with pre existing diseases, take certain medications, are living alone or with limited mobility who are exposed to extreme heat can experience multiple adverse effects.
- People with chronic medical conditions are more likely to have a serious health problem during a heat wave than healthy people.
- Pregnant women are also at higher risk. Extreme heat events have been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality, as well as congenital cataracts.
Last year, Walt Disney World Resort Guests found themselves stranded on attractions like Splash Mountain and the Haunted Mansion due to high-heat conditions. But it took until August 2023 for the heat to be a serious issue and now, it is very much a warning sign that the same temperatures are hitting as early as April 1.
Central Florida will experience temperatures in the upper 80s today (per ClickOrlando) and will likely reach the mid-90s by the middle of the week, a staggering heat for this early in the year. If the temperature reaches 93 degrees around Disney World, it will have matched a near-century heat record, not a great sign for temperature-sensitive Guests by the time summer comes around.
Bizarrely enough, authorities are also reporting that while Central Florida and Disney World will hit the 90s early this week, the temperature will drop to nearly 40 degrees by the end of the week. That makes a nearly 50-degree temperature swing, signifying a hugely erratic weather pattern approaching the state. Needless to say, this makes the possibility of severe thunderstorms and other extreme weather events a near certainty for any Guests planning their stay this week.
Inside the Magic has previously reported that strong cold fronts and clashing weather events like the ones expected this week can lead to shutdowns of attractions and Guests being caught unaware, so be sure to plan ahead.
In 2023, the National Weather Service announced its first-ever heat advisory for Orange County as temperatures approached a deadly 112 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the NHS, “excessive heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States. This is especially true in the urban centers, where population density, the urban heat island, and building construction exacerbate the effects of excessive heat.” Unfortunately, this exactly matches the description of Disney World, and the risk of heat-related issues is even higher when people are not expecting it, as in April.
Related: Peak of Nearly 8 Million to Impact Massive Orlando Airport, Disney World Guests Cautioned
According to the NHS, extreme heat conditions like the ones due to hit Disney World require preparation for safety, so hopefully, Guests will take care as they plan trips. The NHS states, “The best advice is to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, and in an air-conditioned place. If you work or spend time outside, take extra precautions, such as frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned locations. Also wear clothing that is lightweight and loose-fitting. If possible, reschedule strenuous activities for the early morning or evening when cooler temperatures prevail. Car interiors can reach deadly temperatures in a matter of minutes during hot or warm weather. Never leave young children and pets unattended in vehicles. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.”
All of this said, Inside the Magic recommends monitoring weather conditions around Disney Parks as you prepare for your vacations. Stay cool, and stay safe.
Have you dealt with extreme heat at Disney World? Tell Inside the Magic about your experiences!