Florida, home of The Walt Disney World Resort, is known as The Sunshine State and for its beaches and other cliche icons for summer and heat. But this Christmas weekend, the Southern-most of “the lower 48” states will be anything but warm, especially at Disney World, Universal Studios, and the rest of Central Florida.
Related: Could Disney World Get a White Christmas? Freezing Temperatures Expected
The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting temperatures below freezing with wind chills dropping below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. For most people reading this article from a more northern perspective, this means nothing. But for Floridians, and many who will be traveling to Florida with certain expectations, unusual preparations will have to be made.
The NWS has issued a reminder for those preparations, saying, in part, “Regardless of how you feel about it, this weekend is looking very chilly, 15 to 25 degrees below normal in fact. Make sure your weekend holiday plans account for this!”
Who likes it cold out there?!? ✋
Florida: 🦗🦗🦗🤐
Regardless of how you feel about it, this weekend is looking very chilly, 15 to 25 degrees below normal in fact. Make sure your weekend holiday plans account for this! Head over to https://t.co/wnuByF1B6u for more #flwx pic.twitter.com/hE5mpVo8B1
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) December 20, 2022
Related: Reasons Why Disney World is Better in the Winter
The NWS state that there is a 67% chance that temperatures will drop below freezing in the Orlando area on Saturday, Christmas Eve, and a 68% chance on Sunday, Christmas Morning.
Extended freezes like this are no joke for Floridians, as they can cause severe damage to the orange trees and other sects of the state’s agriculture. But at The Most Magical Place On Earth, things will continue operating as normal, and Guests will have the opportunity to see their favorite Disney Characters in their winter outfits. The low temperature could affect your experience in some of the more walk-heavy Disney World areas, such as Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, EPCOT’s World Showcase for the International Festival of the Holidays, and other outdoor events like Candlelight Processional and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park. There is also a chance that Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park will close for the day.
If you are planning on visiting The Walt Disney World Resort on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we advise you to please bundle up and stay warm (and if you’re from up north, please be nice to the struggling Floridians).
We will continue to update our readers on Disney Parks news and stories as more developments come to light.