Florida Locals Share Hurricane Tips for Disney World You Need to Hear

Hurricane season is upon us, and that means that if you’re traveling between June and November this year, there’s a possibility that a hurricane could impact your Orlando trip.

While it’s currently being predicted that this year’s hurricane season could be less intense than those in the past, we’re expecting to see at least a few storms affect Orlando, because that’s just how this season goes. What exactly do you need to do, though, to prepare, in case you find yourself in the city when a hurricane is on its way? We asked our team, many of whom are Orlando locals, so we’ve got all the tips and tricks to help you plan your trip.

Backup Plans

We say all the time how backup plans are very much needed in Disney World, but that’s ESPECIALLY true during hurricane season. Yes, we mean that when you’re in the parks, and it starts to storm, it’s important to have another plan for what you want to do in the parks, but you also may need a backup plan for Orlando itself if a storm is bad enough that it shuts down the resort.

Now, here’s the catch — Disney World really does everything it can to NOT close, so if the parks are closed? You can bet that means the weather is bad enough that it’s best not to go anywhere. If you’re staying on property, meaning at a Disney World hotel, Disney often has characters and activities happening safely inside to keep guests entertained, so keep in mind that one of your days may look like playing with Chip and Dale in the hotel lobby.

Bring Your Own Rain Gear

Those flimsy ponchos sold in Disney World rarely do anything on normal rainy days. During hurricane season? Yeah, they don’t stand a chance. Do yourself a favor and grab yourself rain gear before your trip that you know you like and will use again and again, that way you don’t feel like you’ve wasted money.

Whether it’s a poncho, an umbrella, shoe covers to make sure your shoes and socks don’t get completely drenched, or a combination of them all, it’s important to plan ahead and purchase what you think you’ll need. Even if you end up not needing it, you’ll regret it far less than buying one of those flimsy Disney World ponchos that rip after one use.

Best Rain Gear for Disney World in 2026

Extra Waters and Snacks

If you know a storm is incoming, we recommend thinking AHEAD and bringing extra snacks and water with you to have in your hotel room. If you’re flying and are concerned about not being able to pack things in your bag, we recommend using a grocery delivery service (BEFORE the weather gets bad) or using a rental car to run to the store and get what you need.

Even though you can walk to the hotel or a Disney World lobby if needed, if you’ve gotta walk outside in the pouring rain, that’s not going to be ideal. The key here is to be prepared in ADVANCE, which means not waiting until the day before the bad weather is supposed to hit, if you can help it. It’ll be less stressful all around, trust us.

Stay On Property, If You Can

This isn’t a ploy to get you to spend more money on your Disney World vacation — we have nothing to gain from that. The truth is that Disney World is one of the safest places to be during a hurricane, just due to how it’s built. This is especially true for indoor hotels, such as Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club, Disney Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort, etc., because then you don’t have to walk outside in the gross weather.

Additionally, Disney has very specific policies in place that make it easier to rebook during hurricane season than other hotels around the area. If you choose to stay offsite, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to change around your trip or get your money back, even if you have Disney World tickets. Don’t worry, we’ve done a total deep dive into what these policies are in Disney World and all that you need to know about them, but the bottom line is, staying at a Disney World hotel during hurricane season does certainly have its perks. Additionally, if you find yourself stuck at a Disney World hotel for longer than originally planned due to weather, we suggest heading to the front desk of your resort and asking politely if there’s anything that can be done — we’ve known Disney to offer great discounted deals before to help travelers who aren’t able to head home when planned.

If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!

Still feeling a little lost when it comes to planning your trip? Don’t worry, we’re here to help with our FREE AllEars Planning Series! It’s got everything you need to know in one place, and you can easily bring it with you on your trip as well.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated with all the latest Disney World news, so stay tuned to AllEars!

What It’s Really Like During a Hurricane at Disney World

Are you planning a trip during hurricane season? Tell us in the comments!

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