How bad does weather have to be for Disney to close?

In general, Disney World is a 365 day a year operation. It never closes, even for rain, with basically one exception. Hurricanes. Even then it doesn't always close for hurricanes.



Disney World rarely closes for "standard" bad weather; in Florida, heavy rain and thunder are daily occurrences, and almost all outdoor rides can continue to operate unless there is lightning within a specific radius (usually 5–10 miles). For a full park closure, the weather typically must be an "acute" threat, such as a Hurricane Warning or a severe tropical storm. Disney's hurricane policy is triggered when the National Hurricane Center issues a warning for the Orlando area within 7 days of arrival. Historically, the parks have only closed a handful of times in 50 years, usually for just 1 or 2 days during a direct hurricane strike. Even if the parks close, the resort hotels usually stay open in a "shelter mentality," providing indoor entertainment and modified food service for guests. Basically, if it's just raining, put on a poncho and keep walking; the park only shuts down when the safety of guests and cast members is at "extreme" risk.

People Also Ask

The rain generally isn't that big of a deal if you don't make it a big deal. In general, Disney World is a 365 day a year operation. It never closes, even for rain, with basically one exception. Hurricanes.

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The standard Walt Disney World cancellation policy available throughout the year is up to 5 days prior to arrival without penalty, regardless of any weather impacts.

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Disney's official policy is that it does not offer refunds for rain. What is this? The show must go on, and even when it is rainy, Disney World is open. Now, of course if Disney does happen to close for a weather event (like a hurricane) they will issue refunds then.

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Some parks are better to visit on rainy days than others. At EPCOT, the only attraction that would close due to weather is Test Track. Most of the other rides — along with plenty of restaurants and shops — are located in Future World and are relatively close together so you wouldn't have to walk far in the rain.

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Since opening in 1971, Disney World has only been forced to close eight times as a result of a hurricane, according to the unofficial Disney blog Inside the Magic. The most recent closure happened in 2019 as Hurricane Dorian approached.

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Although a majority of outdoor rides at Disney World remain open and operational when it rains, there are a number of attractions that will close when there's thunder and lightning in the vicinity.

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The truth is, when it is rainy outside, the parks will be a lot less busy. So if you can handle it, you will often find that you can get a lot done during a storm. But, if you prefer to stay totally out of the rain, there are other things you can do on property that are still a lot of fun.

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If you think that the day you will be in the parks is just too risky to try because of the rain, you can always try and rebook your Theme Park Reservation and change the date of your ticket. You will be able to do both from your My Disney Experience account online or your My Disney Experience app.

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Slinky Dog Dash is in Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Since it's an outdoor attraction, it shuts down in heavy rain and if there's severe weather or lightning in the area. Much of the queue is exposed to the elements, and even the portion of the queue that's covered isn't enclosed. And it can get HOT.

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Every Disney World Ride Closure in 2023
  • Mine Train!
  • Splash Mountain.
  • Merida meets at the Gazebo now.
  • Voyage of the Little Mermaid.
  • Typhoon Lagoon.


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We'll begin with an important caveat: Disney World's hotels are all generally considered safe when it comes to hurricanes (though limited spots like Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, or the Treehouse Villas may be evacuated in some situations for certain safety concerns).

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Hurricane Policy – Frequently Asked Questions If you are scheduled to arrive within 7 days of a hurricane warning, you may call us in advance to reschedule without a Disney imposed change fee.

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