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Credit: Inside the MagicA change of plan for the theme parks of the Walt Disney World Resort as millions descend on The Most Magical Place on Earth.
Thanksgiving week at Walt Disney World Resort unfolded with high attendance, changing weather, and closed attractions, presenting guests with strategic decisions to make the most of their visit. Approximately two million people traveled through Central Florida, creating heavy activity across all four parks and increasing pressure on available experiences.
The week began with Wednesday bringing the warmest conditions of the period, with temperatures reaching the mid-80s and very little rain. However, late that night, a cold front moved in, just as reported by Click Orlando. Temperatures dropped by 15 to 20 degrees heading into Thanksgiving Day, reaching the upper 60s to low 70s by afternoon, with northerly winds between 10 and 15 mph and gusts of up to 20 mph.
By Friday and Saturday morning, temperatures in the northwest of I-4 will dip into the 40s, and throughout the rest of Central Florida, they will remain in the low 50s, with highs mostly staying in the 60s.
The colder weather has now led to a key schedule change: Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is officially marked as closed on Friday, November 28. The official Walt Disney World website listed no operating hours for the date, signaling the temporary shutdown of the Disney theme park due to the aforementioned cold front.
With one of Disney World’s five (currently open) parks unavailable, attendance focused on the remaining four, potentially affecting crowd levels and wait times at other locations throughout the resort.
Likewise, over at the Universal Orlando Resort, Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park is also closed on November 28, with the official site stating “inclement weather” for the cessation of operations.
Ahead of the closure, Lightning Lane Premier Passes at Magic Kingdom had already sold out across multiple consecutive days, with similar sellouts on select days across EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios during this holiday period. Guests turned to lower-tier Lightning Lane options, which still ranged from $179 to $339 depending on the park and date.
Limited attractions intensified the crowding. At Magic Kingdom alone, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland remain temporarily closed–the latter has been shuttered since January 2025 as it undergoes extensive changes.
In the same area, Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America/Liberty Square Riverboat have been permanently closed for a few months as Disney prepares to construct the Cars-themed area, Piston Peak National Park. While overall attendance dropped 1% compared to last year, per-guest spending rose approximately 3% to 6%, with premium Lightning Lane purchases being a contributing factor.
For many guests, success depended on planning. Rope drop, late-night touring, and a focus on indoor attractions became ideal strategies during the cooler days. Layered clothing proved helpful, as Wednesday’s warm temperatures will not return for the remainder of the weekend.
Alongside the operational difficulties, it seems the holiday spirit has been out in full force, with emergency reports being made, including fights between guests in the theme parks.
This Thanksgiving week demonstrated how weather, limited attractions, and operational changes can impact the guest experience. Even with challenges, visitors have been forced to adjust their plans to make the most of their holiday visit.
How do you think the closure of one of the Disney World theme parks will impact the resort overall? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!