Thanksgiving at Walt Disney World Resort often marks one of the most active travel periods of the year—and 2025 was no exception. Nearly two million guests made their way through Central Florida, filling hotels, lining park entrances, and placing pressure on attractions across all major theme parks.
Yet this week brought more than just high attendance. Wednesday opened with warmth, reaching the mid-80s, and many guests began their vacations under blue skies. But by late evening, change rolled in. Click Orlando reported a cold front moving through, quickly lowering temperatures by 15 to 20 degrees heading into Thanksgiving Day.
Daytime highs shifted to the upper 60s and low 70,s and winds came in from the north at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts hitting around 20 mph. By Friday and Saturday morning, areas northwest of I-4 will reportedly have readings in the 40s, while the rest of Central Florida will stay mostly in the low 50s, with highs not rising above the 60s.
The forecast led to a key schedule shift. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park officially showed zero operating hours for Friday, November 28, on the Walt Disney World website. That signaled a temporary closure due to the weather. With only four theme parks available currently, as Blizzard Beach is indefinitely closed, crowd levels and wait times can be expected to shift accordingly. Universal Orlando Resort made a similar decision with Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park also closing on November 28 for “inclement weather,” as noted on its official page.
Even before the shutdowns, Lightning Lane Premier Passes at Magic Kingdom sold out across multiple consecutive days. Other sellouts followed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests began purchasing lower-tier Lightning Lane options—priced between $179 and $339 depending on park and date—to navigate the heavy flow of holiday attendance.
Magic Kingdom saw additional challenges with limited attractions. Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland is currently unavailable, while Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remains closed for extensive work that began in January 2025. In the same area, major changes are underway.
Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America/Liberty Square Riverboat have been permanently closed for a few months as Disney prepares to build the Cars-themed Piston Peak National Park. While overall attendance dipped by one percent compared to last year, per-guest spending increased between three and six percent, with Lightning Lane purchases playing a noticeable part.
Guests could adapt by shifting strategy. Despite the challenges, the holiday spirit seemingly remained active across the resort. Still, a few emergency reports emerged involving fights between guests in the parks as crowds surged.
The week illustrated how weather, attendance, and park operations can influence the guest experience at Walt Disney World Resort. The resort adjusted to changing conditions while visitors found ways to make the most of their time—whether through smart planning, flexible schedules, or strategic attraction choices.
As one park temporarily closed its gates and others absorbed the increased flow, Thanksgiving week highlights the importance of preparation during high-traffic holidays.
What do you think the temporary closure means for the rest of the season at Walt Disney World? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
