It’s been a rough week weather-wise in Orlando, with days of blistering heat pushing temperatures well into the high 90s. Add in the stifling humidity and it's felt more like 112°F every afternoon — a Level 4 Extreme HeatRisk, per the National Weather Service. So when skies finally darkened over Magic Kingdom today and a soaking downpour rolled in, some guests may have welcomed the storm… but for others, it marked the end of their park day.
A now-viral video posted to X (formerly Twitter) by user @DisneyClipsGuy shows a stunningly empty Frontierland— an area that’s typically bustling with families dashing between rides, snack carts, and parade viewing spots. But during today’s midday storm, the wooden walkways of Frontierland were deserted, slick with rain, and eerily quiet. Not even a churro wrapper in sight.
Did I mention my intense fear of lightning? 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/j1eycxMgBT
— Disney Clips Guy (@disneytipsguy) July 28, 2025
Sudden Storms Are Common, But This One Cleared the Park
Summertime in Central Florida practically guarantees a thunderstorm or two. Most guests know to expect a rain shower in the afternoon, and long-time Disney fans even build their touring plans around it. But today’s storm was different. It was long, loud, and strong enough to prompt the temporary closure of multiple outdoor attractions, sending guests scrambling for cover — or straight to the exits.
According to reports from guests inside the park and real-time updates from My Disney Experience, the following outdoor rides at Magic Kingdom went down due to inclement weather:
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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
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Splash Mountain’s former location (now under construction for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure)
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Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
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Jungle Cruise
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The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
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Tomorrowland Speedway
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Astro Orbiter
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Dumbo the Flying Elephant
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The Barnstormer
Many guests took this as their cue to leave, especially after enduring the heat for hours earlier in the day. “It was way too hot to start, and now this rain just ended it for us,” one guest commented online after posting footage of the downpour from Main Street, U.S.A.
A Reminder: Indoor Attractions Save the Day
One of the often-overlooked benefits of visiting Magic Kingdom is just how many indoor attractions the park offers. Whether it’s an intense heatwave or an afternoon thunderstorm, there’s still plenty to do inside — if you can make it there in time before the crowds rush in.
Attractions like Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, it’s a small world, and Space Mountain not only offer shelter but provide full-on experiences that can easily fill an hour or more. Indoor dining options also become prime real estate during weather events, from Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café in Frontierland to Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Tomorrowland.
Even classic shows like Carousel of Progress and The Hall of Presidents offer the double bonus of air conditioning and seating — which is gold in Florida summers.
Guests Caught Between Heat and Rain
What made today particularly frustrating for guests is the dramatic shift from one extreme to the other. With heat index values reaching 112°F earlier in the day, it was already a tough outing for families and tourists not used to the intense Florida climate. Disney has been under a multi-day heat advisory, with warnings issued to hydrate, rest, and avoid prolonged time outdoors — a nearly impossible task at a theme park built around walking, queues, and sunshine.
Storms may have provided momentary relief from the brutal heat, but with lightning in the area and slippery walkways, many families opted to cut their park day short entirely. And honestly, who can blame them?
Come Prepared, Rain or Shine
Today’s empty Frontierland may make for a captivating social media moment, but it also serves as a reminder to come prepared for all weather when visiting Disney World — especially during the summer. That means ponchos, umbrellas, water-resistant shoes, water bottles, and flexible plans that let you pivot when the weather turns.
Whether it’s baking sun or buckets of rain, Central Florida weather has a way of humbling even the most prepared traveler. But with the right mindset (and maybe a backup Lightning Lane or two), the magic can still shine through the storm.
