Overview
- Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Universal’s Volcano Bay are closed today, March 17, due to cold conditions following a severe weather system.
- The National Weather Service forecast strong to severe storms on March 16 from roughly 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., with 45–55 mph wind gusts, quarter-size hail, heavy rain, frequent lightning, and a small risk of an isolated tornado.
- A sharp cold front pushed through during the mid‑afternoon Monday window, with Tuesday wind chills dropping into the 30s in parts of Central Florida and highs running 20–25 degrees cooler than Monday.
- With Typhoon Lagoon already under seasonal refurbishment, today’s water‑park closures remove Disney’s only water‑park capacity and intensify crowding across the main parks.
- Resorts are using standard safety protocols that pause outdoor attractions and pools during lightning and high winds, driving more guests to indoor attractions, dining, and shelter areas until conditions improve later this week.