A fast-moving storm is bearing down on the Walt Disney World Resort area this afternoon, and guests currently in the Central Florida theme parks need to take the weather warning seriously.
The Disney World Weather Warning Issued This Afternoon
Shortly before 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, the National Weather Service Melbourne issued a weather warning covering Orange County, Osceola County, and Southern Lake County — the full corridor that includes Walt Disney World Resort. At 2:49 p.m., Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm moving east over Bay Lake at 20 miles per hour.
The warning calls for wind gusts reaching up to 50 miles per hour through mid-afternoon, strong enough to knock down tree limbs and send unsecured objects airborne. Anyone caught outdoors during the worst of the conditions is urged to move inside immediately. Scanner monitoring account @WDWActiveCrime shared the official alert on X (formerly known as Twitter):
⚠️ Special Weather Statement (Disney World FL area) • Severity: Moderate • Urgency: Expected • Until 3:15 PM ET #WDW #DISNEY #Weather
⚠️ Special Weather Statement (Disney World FL area) • Severity: Moderate • Urgency: Expected • Until 3:15 PM ET #WDW #DISNEY #Weather pic.twitter.com/v4cM7Q1mmc
— Walt Disney World: Active Calls (@WDWActiveCrime) May 13, 2026
The National Weather Service classified the severity as “moderate,” the urgency as “expected,” and the certainty as “observed” — meaning there is no ambiguity about whether the storm will hit. It is already on the way. The warning specifically called out Orlando, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Ocoee, and Kissimmee as targeted areas.
What It Means Inside the Parks
Guests currently at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park should follow any instructions from Disney cast members and move indoors if directed to do so. Outdoor attractions across all four theme parks may be temporarily suspended while wind gusts and storm conditions are at their peak — a standard protocol Walt Disney World Resort follows during severe weather events.
The good news is that the window of disruption appears to be relatively short. The thunderstorm and associated high winds are expected to clear the area by early evening on May 13, limiting the impact on most guests' park days.
What are your tips for surviving inclement weather at Walt Disney World Resort? Disney Fanatic would love to hear them in the comments!
