Rare Florida Freezing Cold Snap Forecast: How This Affects Disney World And Packing Choices For UK Visitors

An unprecedented cold snap is coming into Florida this weekend, bringing with it the coldest temperatures the state has seen in over a decade. If you’re a UK holidaymaker heading to Disney World, it’s worth making a few last minute tweaks to your packing to keep warm and help you get the most out of the parks.

This is a historic weather event for the state, and although UK visitors may be used to the cold weather Floridians are not. A rare extreme cold watch has been issued for the Walt Disney World and Universal areas. This isn't just chilly for Florida; this is colder than it is in London right now. Here’s what to expect and how to tweak your packing.

The Weekend Forecast For Disney World

A severe Arctic Cold Front is crashing into Florida and this means that temperatures are dropping down to more like cold January UK temperatures this weekend (30th Jan - 1st Feb).

Friday (30th Jan): This is the calm before the storm. Highs of 21°C (70°F). Enjoy this; it's the last warm air you'll feel for a few days. Rain showers likely in the evening as the front arrives.

Saturday (31st Jan): The temperature crashes. Highs will struggle to reach 12°C (54°F) early in the day, but it will feel much colder due to gale-force winds (gusts up to 45 mph).

Sunday (1st Feb) - THE BIG FREEZE: This is the critical day when temperatures are expected to be at the lowest and freezes could happen!

On Sunday, here are the temperatures you can expect throughout the day:

• Morning Low: Temperatures will plummet to -3°C to -6°C (20s°F).

• Wind Chill: With the wind, it will feel like -14°C (7°F). This is dangerous cold.

• Afternoon High: Struggling to hit just 7°C (45°F).

Here is what American channel WESH 2 forecast for the weather will be this weekend:

Could It Snow?

The short answer is yes, it is possible, but don't expect to be building a snowman on Main Street. We are talking flurries in the air rather than a substantial covering of snow. For snow to settle in Florida, two things must dance perfectly together: moisture and freezing air. This is unlikely and here’s why.

Plenty of freezing air is arriving in the form of an Arctic Blast, which is what is causing the temperature drop. However, moisture usually gets pushed out before cold air arrives, reducing the chances of snow. With that said, forecasters are giving a 10-20% chance of flurries. They are expecting light snow to fall that doesn’t stick, late Saturday night into Sunday morning.

If the moisture lingers just an hour longer than expected while the cold air rushes in, you might see snowflakes flying at Hogwarts or down Main Street. It would be a historic sight, and bring a unique magic to Cinderella Castle and the Disney parks. However, don’t expect to see pictures like you would in Disneyland Paris when it snows, although temperatures are going to feel similar this weekend.

UK Comparison: This Weekend

Usually, you leave the UK to escape the cold. This weekend, you are flying into a historic Arctic air mass.

In the UK, we are seeing a standard wet and windy weekend with yellow warnings for snow in the North (Scotland/Pennines) and heavy rain in the South. It's miserable, but it's normal miserable. Whereas in Florida, they are facing a once-in-a-decade freeze. The wind chill in Orlando on Sunday morning will actually be colder than the wind chill in London.

Here in the UK you might see a fox shivering in the garden this weekend, but in Florida keep an eye out for falling iguanas. When temperatures get this low the iguanas in the trees go into a coma and fall onto the pavement.

Packing Tweaks For Rare Cold Florida Weather

At this time of year we always recommend packing layers, but this is not your typical layering strategy for a Florida winter. This is more cold UK winter’s day clothing strategy. Last minute adjustments are easy to make, and you probably already have all these items to hand. And if you’re wondering about thermal base layers, we’d vote take them!

Here are the extras we’d the in the case:

1. Pack a wind-proof layer

The forecast predicts wind gusts of 20-30 mph on Saturday and Sunday. The temperature might say 7°C, but the real feel is forecast to be as low as -5°C to -10°C on Sunday morning. Thick layers won’t help if the wind can cut straight through it. Plus a windbreaker is less likely to take up as much space in your case.

2. Gloves, Hats & Scarves

Standing in a 60-minute outdoor queue for Jungle Cruise or Slinky Dash is going to be chilly, plus on the rides, your hands will be cold. We normally suggest taking this in the winter anyway, but they are essential items for the parks this weekend. Tech-gloves (that work on touchscreens) are ideal if you have them, as this will keep your hands warm while mobile ordering food, booking Lightning Lanes or checking wait times.

3. Thermal Base Layers

Jeans are great, but you might find yourself feeling chilly at night standing round watching the fireworks, so popping on some leggings underneath will help keep you more comfortable.

4. Heavy Duty Lip Balm & Moisturiser

Florida cold is very dry and wind is going to be a factor you need to consider during this weekend. A good moisturiser for your face and lip balm will help keep your skin safe from any potential wind burn.

5. Sunglasses and hand warmers

Pairing sunglasses with a woolly hat may seem unconventional, but with a clear sky likely, it’s going to be bright out, so don’t ditch the sunglasses. But do throw in some of those hand warmers you can pick up for a couple of pound in Home Bargains. They’re perfect for Disneyland Paris trips at this time of year; and this weekend you’ll likely need them at Disney World too!

Will Disney Water Parks Be Open?

No. Disney have confirmed that Typhoon Lagoon, will reopen after refurbishment for one day on Friday 30th January and then be closed over the weekend, due to the cold temperatures.

How Does This Affect Disney Parks?

The outdoor rides, especially roller coasters like Slinky Dog Dash may close if temperatures drop below operating safety limits or if high winds persist (Saturday is risky for high rides).

Crowds are also likely to drop as Floridians will be less likely to go to the parks in this extreme cold weather. Sunday morning will probably be a ghost town. If you have the clothes and can brave the forecast -14°C wind chill, you might walk right onto Rise of the Resistance and other headline attractions around the Disney parks. You may even pick up a great dining reservation.

At Animal Kingdom, many African/Asian animals (giraffes, elephants) will be kept indoors in heated barns, so you won't see them on the Safari in these temperatures.

Magic In A Minute

The Disney parks and Florida area is going to experience a once-in-a-decade cold snap this weekend. Tweak your packing to get the most out of the likely lower park crowds.