Grab a poncho and keep your phone charged—Central Florida’s rainy reality is setting in, and not even Cinderella’s Castle is safe.
Hurricane season officially begins June 1, and while Disney World has built its reputation on control and calm, it’s the uncontrollable that’s starting to raise concerns. This year, it’s not just the wind—it’s the water.
Here’s what guests, residents, and even theme park planners need to know.
It’s Not Just a Little Rain
Last year, Hurricane Ian dumped more than a foot of water across the Orlando area, flooding homes, streets, businesses, and resort areas—including portions of Disney property. It wasn’t the wind that caused the worst damage. It was flooding—widespread, fast, and in some cases, unexpected.
Now, experts say it’s time to get serious. Central Florida’s hurricane risk is no longer just a coastal issue. As rainfall trends shift and the region’s development continues, the middle of the state has become a new danger zone.
Disney has responded by reinforcing infrastructure and modeling flood-prone areas using new tech, while counties like Osceola are now adopting a system called FloodWise to help predict and plan for water threats more accurately.
Real People, Real Homes, Real Floods
One of the hardest-hit communities during recent storms was Orlo Vista, just west of Orlando’s main tourism corridor. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, one resident came home to find tadpoles swimming through her living room. When Ian hit five years later, it happened again—this time with even more damage.
Other residents across Altamonte Springs, Sanford, Midway, and parts of Kissimmee saw similar devastation: mobile homes under water, furniture floating, families fleeing.
“You don’t expect this inland,” one resident said. “But it just keeps getting worse.”
For many, the solution isn’t just about moving or rebuilding—it’s about updating the state’s flood zones, which many argue are out of date and don’t reflect the post-Ian reality.
What This Means for Disney Guests
Let’s be clear: Disney World is still one of the safest places to ride out a storm in Florida. The company’s preparedness and infrastructure are far beyond what most hotels or businesses can offer.
But that doesn’t mean a hurricane season vacation comes without risks.
If you’re visiting Disney this summer or fall, here are a few things to consider:
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Travel insurance is no longer optional—book it.
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Flooded roads can delay or cancel airport transfers, Ubers, and off-site resort shuttles.
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The My Disney Experience app will post weather warnings and alerts—use them.
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Guests may be confined to their resort hotel for extended periods if severe weather strikes.
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Lightning and water levels can temporarily close rides across all four parks.
Cast Members are well-trained and operational teams are experienced, but flash flooding or prolonged downpours can still create challenges. After Ian, several resort areas were reported to have flooded parking lots, waterlogged landscaping, and overwhelmed drainage systems—even if the parks themselves reopened quickly.
What Disney Is Doing Behind the Scenes
While Disney hasn’t issued a public statement about specific upgrades, several local emergency planning sessions have acknowledged Disney’s coordination with Reedy Creek emergency services to prepare for future water-related issues.
That includes modifying stormwater retention zones, retrofitting older parts of the property, and adapting certain park operations based on flood modeling and weather behavior seen in recent years.
Even Senator Rick Scott weighed in at a recent event in Kissimmee, noting that “these hurricanes are becoming big water events” and that the entire region needs to be ready.
Don’t Panic, But Don’t Ignore It
The takeaway is simple: Central Florida—including Disney World—is seeing more water than ever before. Between longer storm seasons, more frequent inland flooding, and climate shifts, planning for a trip to the parks now includes checking more than just the forecast.
This doesn’t mean canceling your vacation or avoiding summer bookings. But it does mean traveling with more awareness—and maybe, an extra pair of shoes.
Because when it rains in Orlando now, it doesn’t just pass. Sometimes, it pours.
