New Problem Arises for Disney World Guests This Thanksgiving Week

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest seasons at the Walt Disney World Resort, and now, new information has come to light regarding the holiday period that could transform vacation plans.

Central Florida is ready to be filled with Thanksgiving crowds as millions of travelers descend on and through the Sunshine State for the holidays.

According to Kevin J. Thibault, chief executive officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (via Click Orlando), “Orlando International Airport is prepared for the robust influx of guests expected this Thanksgiving. Our airport staff, security partners, and vendors are energized by the challenge of this year’s expected holiday surge.”

The peak day at Orlando International Airport (MCO) this November 22 through December 3 season is Sunday, December 1, when 188,000 passengers are expected to arrive and depart. This period is crucial for theme park resorts like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.

Things are already getting interesting over at Disney’s flagship resort, with guests selling out the new Lightning Lane Premier Pass across all theme parks for the first time earlier this week. This is surprising because the new Premier Pass has received criticism for its high price point, but it is unsurprising as Thanksgiving often sees sell-outs of the Lightning Lane offerings (formerly Disney Genie+).

Premier Pass is the most expensive at Magic Kingdom Park, with costs decreasing for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, in that order. The sell-out of this premium service is a good indicator of how busy the parks will be this week and into the weekend.

That said, some guests may want to alter their vacation plans as new information about a “parade of cold fronts” has surfaced, which suggests the Magic Kingdom may be getting a whole lot chillier after Thursday’s festivities. Click Orlando reports that temperatures will remain steady into Thursday morning before rising in the afternoon. After that, though, the cool air will commence.

“The first cold front is expected to make its entrance from Thursday into Friday,” the outlet notes. “You might notice clouds thickening on Thanksgiving Day as this front approaches.”

“A second cold front is expected to arrive on Sunday, ushering in a more significant drop in temperatures as we head into the upcoming workweek,” they explain.

And it won’t stop there. “By Tuesday morning, lows could fall to around 44 degrees, marking a noticeable shift from the warmth enjoyed earlier in the week.”

Despite its tropical climate, where warm weather is the norm, Florida does often get hit by the cold, which, in some cases, causes the shutdown of theme parks like Disney’s Blizzard Beach/Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park.

To give guests more of the magic this Thanksgiving (and to maybe thin the crowds), Disney World is also extending theme park hours across the resort. This means there’s more time to ride attractions, eat, drink, and… spend more money.

How do you feel about visiting Disney World in the cold? Let Disney Fanatic know in the comments down below!