U.S. National Weather Service Sends Safety Advisory to Entire Walt Disney World Resort

Wait 5 sec.

A theme park invites you to leave the everyday world at the gate. Much of what follows, from long walks between lands to outdoor shows and parades, happens under an open sky.Credit: Sarah Larson, Inside the MagicWalt Disney World has four theme parks, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and each is a place where guests move between rides, shows, and restaurants over the course of a day. Plenty of that movement happens outdoors, whether you’re waiting for a parade, crossing a plaza, or grabbing a snack between attractions.That also means the weather is part of every visit. A cloudy morning, a sudden shower, or a blustery afternoon can change how a day unfolds, even at a place designed to feel like a world of its own. Today, at Walt Disney World, it’s the wind.We’ve tied every detail below to the National Weather Service report we’re drawing on, and we’ll be clear about where it doesn’t say. Here’s what the alert says, what it could mean at the parks, and how to plan your day.The Advisory at a GlanceCredit: DisneyAlert: Wind Advisory, issued by the National Weather ServiceArea: Orange and Osceola Counties, described as home to all four Disney theme parksIn effect until: 8 p.m.Winds: Northeast, 20 to 25 mph, expected throughout the dayGusts: 35 to 40 mph, with isolated gusts of 40 to 50 mph possible in scattered squallsOvernight: Winds forecast to drop to around 10 mph, with breezy conditions expected into TuesdayThe AlertCredit: Sarah Larson, Inside the MagicA Wind Advisory is in effect for Walt Disney World today, according to the report. The National Weather Service issued the alert for Orange and Osceola Counties, which the report describes as home to all four Disney theme parks, and it remains in effect until 8 p.m.The NumbersCredit: Sarah Larson, Inside the MagicNortheast winds of 20 to 25 mph are expected throughout the day, with gusts reaching 35 to 40 mph. The report adds that scattered squalls moving onshore could push isolated gusts to 40 to 50 mph.Look closely at the wording. The 20 to 25 mph winds and the 35 to 40 mph gusts are part of the forecast for the day. The 40 to 50 mph figure is tied to scattered squalls and described as isolated gusts, so it’s a possibility in some places and not a forecast for everywhere at once.What Gusty Conditions Can BringCredit: Anna Fox, FlickrThe report lists several things to keep in mind as you plan your day:Loose items: They can be blown around, so hold onto hats, ponchos, and bags.Tree limbs: They could come down across the resort.Power: Localized outages are possible.Entertainment and attractions: Outdoor entertainment and attractions may be temporarily affected.Each of those is phrased as a possibility, using words like “could,” “possible,” and “may.” The report doesn’t say any of them has happened, and it doesn’t name specific attractions or shows.Temperature and Wind ChillCredit: DisneyAfternoon temperatures will hover near 80°F, according to the report, but the wind will make it feel cooler than that. That’s worth remembering if you’re spending the day at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or stopping for an outdoor meal.If You’re Driving to the ParksCredit: Scott Smith, FlickrThe report advises using extra caution on the roads today. It says high-profile vehicles, including trucks, RVs, and large SUVs, are most at risk in these conditions.That’s the report’s guidance. The information we have doesn’t include specific road or parking information for Walt Disney World, so we won’t speculate about it.When the Wind EasesCredit: Steven Miller, FlickrThe advisory remains in effect until 8 p.m. According to the report, winds are forecast to ease into the evening, dropping to around 10 mph overnight. Conditions are expected to remain breezy into Tuesday.Notice the verbs: “forecast” and “expected.” Those describe predictions, and forecasts can change, so it’s smart to check for updates through the day.What We Don’t KnowThe report doesn’t tell us whether any attraction, show, or parade will be delayed, paused, or closed today. It doesn’t say how Disney is responding, and it doesn’t describe conditions at any particular park. We also don’t know whether the advisory will be extended or changed.For attraction status and entertainment updates, the official Walt Disney World app is the place to look, and the National Weather Service is the source for the alert itself.Planning Your Day in the WindCredit: DisneyFor visitors, the practical tips come from the report’s own list. Keep hold of hats, ponchos, and bags, and consider how you’ll secure the items you carry. If you’re wearing or carrying something light, the wind may have other plans for it.Since outdoor entertainment and attractions may be temporarily affected, keep your schedule flexible and have a backup plan in case something pauses. If you’re heading out in the evening, remember the winds are forecast to ease, though breezy conditions are expected to continue into Tuesday.When You’re Staying on PropertyLocalized power outages are described as possible, so it’s reasonable to keep your phone charged and know where your essentials are. That’s general advice and not a statement about any specific resort or its procedures, which we don’t have information about.If you’re arriving or leaving today, allow extra time and, if you’re driving a high-profile vehicle, take the report’s caution seriously.Tell Us How It’s GoingAre you at Walt Disney World today? Tell us in the comments how the wind is affecting your day, and share any tips for staying comfortable on a breezy afternoon at the parks. We’ll update this if conditions or alerts change.The post U.S. National Weather Service Sends Safety Advisory to Entire Walt Disney World Resort appeared first on Inside the Magic.