Urgent Safety Warning Issued to All Disney World Guests Effective Today

Those visiting Walt Disney World today need to be prepared for extreme weather conditions.

Infographic showing a heat risk map of central Florida, including Disney World Weather hotspots in red and orange for high risk. Text explains “Major HeatRisk” is third of four levels, with tips for staying cool and hydrated during extreme heat. — Credit: National Weather Service

The Walt Disney World Resort is now under an extreme heat warning as the National Weather Service in Melbourne issues a weather advisory for multiple counties. This warning stretches through Orange and Osceola counties, where Walt Disney World is located.

The heat index is expected to climb to 108°F this afternoon. The heat warning is in effect until 6:00 p.m. The advisory also includes Volusia, Indian River, St. Lucia, Martin, Okeechobee, and Brevard counties.

A grand entrance to Walt Disney World, featuring the iconic blue and gold archway with "The Most Magical Place On Earth" slogan. The background is orange. — Credit: Inside the Magic

High heat and humidity are par for the course when it comes to most Walt Disney World vacations. Due to the theme park resort being located in what used to be Florida swampland, Walt Disney World faces brutal heat waves and thunderstorms on a frequent basis. It’s common to see temperatures reach the high 90s during the hotter summer months, with temps cooling off during the winter months.

We highly recommend wearing sunscreen, staying hydrated, and being aware of the weather during your time at Walt Disney World. Staying hydrated is actually relatively easy thanks to free water stations placed around the four theme parks. Guests can also ask for cups of water at various quick-service locations.

Finding shade can be a much tougher task, as certain areas of the parks do not offer any breaks from the sun. There are long stretches of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT that do not feature any significant shaded areas. This has long been a contentious part of the Walt Disney World Resort, with fans calling on Disney to build more shaded areas.

Earlier this year, Disney completed a new shaded area in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The area of the park had notoriously lacked any sort of shade since it opened in 2018. Disney pledged to bring more shade to the area years ago, wrapping up the project in summer of 2025.

Of course, being a theme park, there are also some more fun ways guests can cool off at Disney World. At the Magic Kingdom, guests can take the plunge on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a log flume ride based on The Princess and the Frog (2009).

Disney’s Animal Kingdom also features a water ride, Kali River Rapids, which takes guests on a rafting adventure through the forest. Guests typically come off this ride drenched, making it a great attraction to hop aboard today.

Are you planning on visiting Walt Disney World soon?