1
Credit: Scott Smith, FlickrAnyone packing for a Walt Disney World vacation this weekend may want to make one small addition to the suitcase.
A sweatshirt.
After months of intense Central Florida heat, Disney World is finally getting a noticeable break from the summer weather. A cold front moving through the region is expected to send morning temperatures into the 60s this weekend, creating some of the coolest conditions guests have experienced at the resort in months.
It may not sound particularly cold, especially for visitors traveling from northern states. But after a summer filled with heat, humidity, and temperatures that made full days in the parks exhausting, mornings in the 60s could feel dramatically different.
More importantly, this weather change could have a real impact on how guests plan their Disney World vacation.
Disney World Is Finally Getting a Break From the Heat
Central Florida has spent months dealing with hot and humid conditions, but a weak cold front is bringing drier air into the region.
Disney World could see temperatures dip into the 60s Friday night into Saturday morning. These would be the first mornings in the 60s since June, arriving after the region experienced its second-warmest summer on record.
That’s quite a turnaround.
Guests visiting Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom have spent much of the summer planning around the heat. Midday breaks, indoor attractions, extra water stops, cooling towels, and afternoon trips back to the hotel can become important parts of a Disney vacation during the hottest months.
This weekend could provide a much different experience.
Saturday through Monday should bring daytime highs in the 80s with morning lows in the 60s. Rain chances are also expected to remain at 20% or lower during that stretch.
For a Disney vacation involving miles of walking every day, that could be a very welcome change.
Those Early Park Mornings Could Feel Completely Different
One of the biggest differences may come first thing in the morning.
Guests who regularly visit Walt Disney World know how quickly the Florida heat can make its presence known. Even an early walk from a Disney resort room to the bus stop can become warm and humid during the summer.
Temperatures in the 60s change that experience.
Guests arriving at the parks before opening could find themselves standing outside in considerably cooler conditions than they have experienced during recent months. That may make those early mornings much more comfortable, particularly for families planning to arrive before the park officially opens.
However, visitors shouldn’t automatically assume that shorts and a T-shirt will feel perfect at 7 a.m.
Wind can make those cooler temperatures feel even more noticeable. Guests who have become accustomed to temperatures in the 80s and 90s may find a breezy morning in the 60s surprisingly chilly.
A light sweatshirt, hoodie, or jacket could suddenly become useful.
The challenge, of course, is figuring out what to do with it later.
With afternoon highs still reaching the 80s, guests probably won’t need warmer clothing throughout the entire day. Anyone bringing an extra layer may want something lightweight that can easily fit inside a backpack once temperatures rise.
Wind Could Be Another Factor
Cooler temperatures aren’t the only part of this weather system that guests should watch.
Wind is expected to become one of the bigger factors through Friday. Northerly winds could reach 15 to 20 mph, while gusts could climb to around 30 mph. Some areas closer to Florida’s coast could experience even stronger gusts.
For guests at Walt Disney World, windy weather can make a day feel noticeably different.
Walking around EPCOT’s World Showcase, crossing open areas of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or waiting outdoors at Magic Kingdom can feel cooler when stronger wind combines with lower temperatures.
Guests also shouldn’t completely ignore the possibility of rain.
Although rain chances have dropped from previous forecasts, some showers remain possible. Individual showers could also produce stronger wind gusts.
The good news is that conditions are expected to become considerably more pleasant heading into the weekend.
Full Park Days May Become Easier
Perhaps the biggest benefit isn’t simply that guests will feel cooler in the morning.
Lower temperatures can make an entire Disney day easier.
A Walt Disney World vacation requires a surprising amount of physical activity. Guests can spend hours walking between attractions, restaurants, entertainment, and transportation. Add Florida heat and humidity to that equation, and even experienced visitors can find themselves exhausted by late afternoon.
Cooler mornings give guests a chance to get several hours into their park day before dealing with warmer afternoon temperatures.
That could be particularly useful at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where guests often spend considerable time walking outdoors. EPCOT visitors may also appreciate the change while making their way around World Showcase.
Families traveling with young children could benefit as well. Instead of immediately searching for air conditioning or worrying about everyone getting too hot, they may have more flexibility during the first part of the day.
That doesn’t mean guests should suddenly stop thinking about hydration or sun protection.
Afternoon temperatures are still expected to reach the 80s, and Florida sunshine can remain intense even when the air feels more comfortable. Sunscreen and water should remain part of the plan.
Your Pool Plans Probably Aren’t Ruined
Guests planning a Disney resort day shouldn’t panic over temperatures dropping into the 60s.
Those cooler readings are expected primarily during the morning and overnight hours. Daytime temperatures should still reach the 80s.
That means afternoons could remain warm enough for guests hoping to spend some time at their resort pool.
The bigger difference may come when getting out of the water.
A breezy evening or morning with temperatures falling through the 70s and eventually into the 60s could feel much cooler when you’re wet. Guests planning nighttime pool time may want a towel and cover-up close by rather than assuming the warm summer evenings of recent months will continue.
Those staying at Disney resorts with outdoor dining, walking paths, or waterfront areas may also notice the temperature change more after sunset.
Evenings Could Become Much More Comfortable
The cooler conditions could be especially nice for guests staying inside the parks after dark.
Disney vacations don’t stop when the sun goes down. Guests may spend their evenings watching fireworks, shopping, having dinner, or trying to squeeze in another attraction before closing.
During the summer, nighttime doesn’t always provide much relief from Florida’s heat.
This weekend could be different.
With drier air and cooler nighttime temperatures, guests may find evenings much more comfortable. Instead of ending the day sweaty and exhausted, visitors could find themselves reaching for that sweatshirt they stuffed into their backpack earlier.
That’s not exactly typical September packing advice for Walt Disney World.
But weather in Central Florida can change quickly.
Don’t Pack Away the Summer Clothes Yet
Unfortunately for anyone ready to declare the unofficial beginning of Florida fall, the cooler weather doesn’t appear ready to settle in permanently.
The forecast becomes less certain Tuesday and Wednesday.
Rain chances are expected to increase, particularly by Wednesday, while temperatures begin climbing back into the mid-to-upper 80s. Additional moisture could also push heat index values back into the 90s.
In other words, guests visiting this weekend may get a preview of fall rather than a complete seasonal change.
That’s important for anyone packing for a weeklong vacation.
Don’t fill an entire suitcase with jeans and sweaters just because the morning temperature suddenly drops into the 60s. Guests will still need warm-weather clothing, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and plenty of water.
Instead, layers may be the smartest option.
Wear something light enough for the afternoon, then bring a thin jacket or sweatshirt for early mornings and late evenings.
A Very Different Disney World Weekend
For guests who spent the summer battling intense temperatures at Walt Disney World, this weekend could feel like a completely different vacation.
Morning temperatures falling into the 60s for the first time since June could make early park arrivals far more comfortable. Afternoon highs in the 80s should still provide plenty of warmth, while low rain chances could make it easier to spend long stretches outdoors without constantly worrying about the next Florida downpour.
There are still a few things to watch, particularly stronger winds leading into the weekend and the possibility of changing conditions.
But this is one Disney World weather update that many vacationers may actually be happy to see.
The biggest adjustment may simply be packing something guests haven’t needed very often over the last several months.
After a summer dominated by heat and humidity, that forgotten Disney hoodie might finally have a reason to come out of the suitcase.
