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New Information Solidifies Disney World’s Reason to Close Down Park

The tail end of 2024 and the dawn of 2025 have brought an unexpected chill to Central Florida, leading to multiple theme park closures. Now, new data sheds light on why these temporary shutdowns have been unavoidable.

Pluto, Goofy, Minnie, and Mickey by the water at Blizzard Beach
Credit: Disney

Throughout December and January, a series of cold fronts has swept through the Sunshine State, disrupting operations at Orlando’s world-famous theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. With temperatures plummeting, closures have become a necessity.

This week, both Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park—currently the only water park open at Disney World—and Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park have been forced to close their gates. Today (Thursday, January 16, 2025) marks another day of closures for both water parks after several consecutive days of disruption.

Aerial view of Volcano Bay
Credit: Universal

According to Click Orlando, “Morning temperatures have been routinely starting in the 30s and 40s across the region, and afternoons have often struggled to reach the 50s and 60s. Normally, the Orlando area is enjoying highs around 71 degrees at this time of year, so this cold streak is definitely standing out.”

While chilly weather isn’t unheard of in January, 2025 has delivered a particularly brisk start to the year, landing it among the most frigid Januarys on record.

“As of now, Orlando is experiencing its 12th coldest January ever on record, with an average high of 55.7 degrees,” the outlet explained. “For some context, the coldest January on record was in 1977, when highs averaged 50.6 degrees, which is pretty insane for Florida!”

In fact, this year marks the coldest January since 2010, which saw average highs of 54.4 degrees, earning it the fifth spot on the list of coldest Januarys in Florida history.

Cinderella Castle at night
Credit: Disney

As of now, both Blizzard Beach and Volcano Bay are slated to reopen tomorrow, Friday, January 17, 2025. Blizzard Beach will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., while Volcano Bay will welcome guests from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with early park admission starting at 9:30 a.m.

Are you feeling the icy bite of winter in the Sunshine State? Share your thoughts with Disney Fanatic in the comments below!

Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his favorite TV show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer except when it's One Tree Hill. He loves sandy beach walks, forest hikes, and foodie days out in the Big City. Thomas lives in England, UK, with his fiancée, baby, and their dog, a Border Collie called Luna.

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