Spring break is just around the corner, and soon, crowds will be making their way to the Sunshine State. But will Florida actually be sunny when they arrive?
Orlando’s theme parks are no strangers to the chaos of spring break. If last year was anything to go by, Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort are about to be flooded with guests. But before we even get there, Valentine's Day and the rest of February still stand between now and peak crowd season. That being said, recent developments—like the nine-day consecutive sell-out of Magic Kingdom’s Lightning Lane Premier Pass—suggest that Disney’s parks are already seeing surges in attendance.
Now, new reports indicate that Florida’s major resorts could be looking at potential shutdowns yet again. Just weeks ago, both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando were forced to temporarily close their water parks—Blizzard Beach and Volcano Bay—due to an intense arctic cold front sweeping through Florida.
And it may not be over. According to Click Orlando, another round of cold air is on its way to the state.
“A series of cold fronts look to reintroduce the chill back into the Sunshine State,” the report states. “The first, the smaller drop in temperatures, arrives Thursday night into Friday.”
“Highs will still be above average, topping out in the upper 70s,” they added. “A bigger cold front is forecast to arrive Sunday. The rain associated with the front could threaten a portion of the Daytona 500.”
As of now, both Blizzard Beach and Volcano Bay remain scheduled to operate as usual, according to the official Disney and Universal calendars. However, guests planning to visit either park later this week or next should check for updates as the cold front moves in.
Weather reports suggest that once the first system moves through, even cooler air will settle into Central Florida. Highs may struggle to reach the mid-60s on Monday, and by Tuesday, temperatures could dip into the 40s.
While these weather-related closures are out of Disney and Universal’s hands, the Central Florida theme park scene is far from quiet. Universal is gearing up for its massive Epic Universe park, while Disney is focused on expanding and enhancing its existing offerings.
Over the next few years, Walt Disney World will introduce several new themed lands, including a Cars area at Magic Kingdom—set to be located near the upcoming Villains land—a Tropical Americas section at Animal Kingdom, and a Monsters, Inc. expansion at Hollywood Studios.
With another potential cold snap on the horizon, will it put a damper on your park plans? Let us know in the comments below!
