Credit: Inside the MagicFlorida’s theme park capital is under weather siege this week, as the National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Central Florida, including the counties that house Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. The advisory, which was triggered just before 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, remains in effect until 8 p.m. ET, covering Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Volusia, and Brevard counties.
Though not a hurricane in name, the disturbance fueling the chaos—Invest 93L—is very much a product of hurricane season mechanics, and the effects are far from subtle.
Theme Park Hotspots Bracing for Impact
The immediate concern for tourists in the region centers around potential flash flooding, lightning storms, and ride closures, which could severely impact plans at Florida’s biggest draws. Walt Disney World, which encompasses Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, is directly in the path of the weather system’s heaviest activity. So is Universal Orlando, including both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
While the parks rarely close for rain, safety procedures during flood watches can result in significant interruptions:
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Outdoor thrill rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Slinky Dog Dash, VelociCoaster, and Jurassic Park River Adventure may shut down intermittently or for the entire day.
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Parades, fireworks, and stage shows such as Happily Ever After or Universal’s Cinematic Celebration are frequently cancelled in conditions like these.
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Water puddling and poor drainage areas—particularly around EPCOT and in certain resort walkways—may flood, resulting in re-routing or blocked access.
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Disney Skyliner and water transportation systems may experience operational delays or total suspension.
For visitors with tightly packed itineraries, this spells trouble.
Why Is This Happening?
At the center of the weather chaos is a low-pressure system known as Invest 93L, which formed off the east coast of Florida and is now sweeping west across the state. While the system hasn’t officially formed into a tropical storm, the tropical moisture it’s drawing in is dumping large volumes of rain across inland counties, particularly those surrounding Orlando.
According to the National Weather Service, most areas under the watch can expect 2 to 4 inches of rainfall, with localized areas potentially seeing up to 5 or more inches before the storm passes. These kinds of totals are more than enough to overwhelm storm drains, low-lying areas, and park infrastructure not built for rapid accumulation.
“Excessive Runoff”: What It Means
The language from the NWS is direct and concerning: “Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other flood-prone locations.”
In theme parks, this often plays out as follows:
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Drainage systems in older areas of Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios may struggle to keep up, leading to deep puddling.
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Parking lots and transportation hubs like the Magic Kingdom ferry boat dock or Universal’s CityWalk garage are often impacted by backed-up runoff.
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Indoor rides and queues become overcrowded as guests seek shelter, often resulting in wait times that balloon unexpectedly.
And then there’s the humidity—temperatures are pushing into the high 90s, with “feels like” readings breaking 100°Fin the middle of the afternoon. That makes the air feel even heavier and the rain even more miserable.
Airline Delays Compound the Mess
On top of the chaos at ground level, Orlando International Airport (MCO) has also seen flight delays and schedule changes due to the same storm system. Guests arriving for vacations—or attempting to leave—may encounter unexpected hold-ups at security, gate changes, or weather-related cancellations.
Disney and Universal Quiet on Response
As of Tuesday afternoon, neither Disney nor Universal have issued public statements or alerts regarding specific closures or operational changes. However, guests on the ground report heightened communication from Cast Members and Team Members, especially near outdoor attractions and transportation centers.
App notifications through My Disney Experience and the Universal Orlando app are proving crucial for visitors looking to reroute their day in real-time.
What Guests Should Do Now
For anyone currently in Central Florida or arriving this week, it’s essential to stay weather-aware and flexible. Here’s what you need to know:
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Flood Watch remains in place until 8 p.m. Tuesday, with additional storms possible through Thursday.
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Download park apps and turn on push notifications for attraction updates and safety alerts.
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Avoid walking through flooded areas —even shallow water can hide unsafe conditions.
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Pack waterproof shoes, rain jackets, or ponchos, as plastic bags won’t hold up to this kind of downpour.
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Seek indoor entertainment early in the day before crowds swell inside.
A Stormy Week Ahead
Even though Florida is no stranger to tropical storms and rainy afternoons, this week is a reminder that theme park magic is always at the mercy of Mother Nature. With the Gulf of Mexico feeding this storm system over the next several days, it’s likely that off-and-on storms and safety disruptions will continue into midweek.
If you’re planning to visit Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando through July 17, expect unpredictable weather, longer indoor waits, and potential ride closures. Whether you’re a seasoned passholder or a first-timer, staying dry might be the real thrill of the day.
We’ll continue to monitor weather alerts and park advisories as this story develops.