Urgent Alert Issued to All Disney World Guests, Visiting Theme Parks May Cause Illness

If you’re planning on visiting Walt Disney World Resort today, this message is for you.

Disney’s theme parks are busy on any given day, but these crowds typically swell during federal holidays. The Fourth of July is no exception, with wait times ballooning as guests rush to celebrate all things red, white, and blue at the parks each year.

Magic Kingdom Fourth of July Fireworks resized — Credit: Disney

Fortunately (or rather, unfortunately, if you’re Disney), this year seems to be a quiet one. Much like last July, when Walt Disney World Resort marked a ten-year low for crowds, this year has set records for low wait times, with guests seemingly opting to celebrate Independence Day elsewhere.

There are plenty of reasons why this may be the case. Everyone knows that Walt Disney World is expensive right now – even more so than it’s always been. Genie+ (which will be saying a permanent farewell soon enough) is priced higher during peak periods, which increases the overall cost of celebrating July 4 in the Magic Kingdom.

A monorail glides above a parking lot with a dramatic sunset in the background, highlighting a cathedral spire and lush trees in a serene urban landscape. — Credit: Christian Lambert, Unsplash

Arguably, the more pressing reason why Disney World may be emptier than usual on July 4 is the heat. While Mickey Mouse does his best to keep a tight cap on anything that may disrupt each guest’s visit to Walt Disney World, there are some things that even his immaculately gloved hands can’t control – and Florida’s infamously hot and humid summer weather is one of them.

This year, things are even hotter than usual. According to the U.S. National Weather Service, a heat advisory warning has been issued for a large chunk of Central Florida today (July 4, 2024), spanning Orange County and Osceola County (where you’ll find Walt Disney World Resort).

Four teenagers laughing and talking in front of the twilight zone tower of terror attraction in Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park on a sunny day. — Credit: Disney

The warning is in place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, and the heat index is expected to reach up to 110°F. For context, a heat index higher than 103°F is considered the risk zone for dangerous heat disorders. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that those in the area have been warned that today’s “hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.”

Those in the affected areas are advised to follow the usual precautions, such as drinking plenty of fluids, staying in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible, and wearing light, loose clothing. If you have no choice but to go outside, you’re also recommended to limit any strenuous activities to the morning or evening.

A serene underwater tunnel at Disney World, with vibrant blue light, displaying large aquarium tanks on either side, filled with various fish swimming among coral reefs. — Credit: Disney

For those braving the heat at Walt Disney World Resort – or any of Orlando’s other theme parks, such as SeaWorld or Universal Orlando Resort – today, we recommend following this advice as much as possible.

By that, we mean exploiting Disney’s most heavily air-conditioned indoor attractions, such as the likes of Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom Park, The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT, It’s Tough to be a Bug! at Animal Kingdom, and For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at Hollywood Studios.

Are you visiting a theme park today? We’d love to know which one!