Tornado Watch now in effect for Walt Disney World as Hurricane Idalia makes landfall

Aug 30, 2023 in "Severe Weather impacts to Walt Disney World"

Posted: Wednesday August 30, 2023 8:25am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch through 3 pm for Orange and Osceola counties, which includes Walt Disney World.

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop.

All four Walt Disney World theme parks opened on schedule this morning. Wind speeds of 23mph are being felt, gusting to 44mph. Bands of heavy rain are moving through the area.

Attraction wait times are relatively low, with the highest wait currently at Peter Pan's Flight (65 mins).

Most attractions have very low wait times of around 30 minutes, with the hugely popular Star Wars Rise of the Resistance currently at 45 minutes.

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and all mini-golf courses are closed today.

Orlando International Airpot is open and operational, although flight disruptions are expected throughout the day. MCO says that delays/cancellations and bag delivery delays may occur. Check with your airline for updates in regards to your flight.

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John park hopperSep 01, 2023

St system coming off Africa maybe a problem but the other storms are all staying out o sea and heading north

LAKid53Sep 01, 2023

And as karma goes....there are two more systems out there.

LAKid53Sep 01, 2023

Treasure Island.

John park hopperSep 01, 2023

Visiting in Gulf Breeze FL talked to my son in Mcclellanville SC never lost power lot of rain wind but no trees down. Dodged the bullet on this one. Hurricane season is still young

some other guySep 01, 2023

not quite the usual storm debris

JoeCamelSep 01, 2023

Silver lining. As a former 20 year resident I can't exaggerate how cool this is

"El Gran Magnifico"Aug 31, 2023

I associate it with tickling.

dreday3Aug 31, 2023

I associate St. Elmo's Fire with Rob Lowe.

5thGenTexanAug 31, 2023

I copy and pasted from CNN. I dont have an opinion either way.

AylaAug 31, 2023

Why do you have extremely dangerous in quotations?

JoeCamelAug 31, 2023

I always associated St. Elmos fire with ball lightning

5thGenTexanAug 31, 2023

St Elmo's Fire This rare weather phenomena was spotted in the sky as Florida's Gulf Coast braced for the "extremely dangerous" Hurricane Idalia.

monothingieAug 31, 2023

It’s going to be a very nice evening. Credit due to Disney for handling this storm very well.