If you have a trip to Disney World planned this week, you may have noticed that a tropical storm has formed in the Atlantic and is expected to hit Florida in the coming days.

While it’s important to be prepared in situations like this, don’t panic! Disney World has many systems in place to make sure guests stay safe during all kinds of severe weather. However, there are still things that you can do to make sure you are prepared for whatever situation you might encounter — let’s talk about it.

UPDATE: Idalia stengthened into a hurricane overnight Monday and analysts are predicting Disney World may be impacted. Per WESH news, “Showers, squalls, and thunderstorms associated with outer rain bands from Idalia may reach central Florida by late this afternoon, with conditions further deteriorating Tuesday afternoon and evening as Idalia accelerates north-northeastward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico.”

Note that Disney has updated its cancelation and change policies due to Hurricane Idalia. Click here for more details.

As of Monday, August 28th, Idalia is a tropical storm that is projected to turn into a hurricane as it heads toward Florida’s Gulf Coast.

The 10AM CT advisory noted that there is a danger of “life-threatening storm surge inundation along portions of the Florida Gulf Coast.”

The storm’s current path shows it hitting Florida around Tuesday afternoon/Wednesday, after which it will move across parts of the state.

Tropical Storm Watches are currently in effect for Disney World counties. You can click here to see the latest updates.

While it is early and predictions can still change, here’s how to prepare for the potential of a storm impacting Disney World and your trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth.

Pack Smart

Whether you prefer a rain jacket, umbrella, or poncho — make sure you have something to stay dry! Ponchos in the park are pricey, not to mention the fact that you don’t want to have to find a store if you get caught in a sudden downpour.

You probably will also want to bring some Ziploc bags — this is a great way to make sure your things stay dry if you’re caught off guard. You can keep things like important documents, your wallet, and electronics safe this way if you get caught in heavy rain.

Speaking of heavy rain, you’ll want to bring some water-friendly shoes and/or a backup pair of socks and shoes — nobody wants to walk around the parks with wet socks all day! You can store them in a backpack or one of the park’s lockers, and you’ll be thankful to have them if it rains.

Click here to see 6 items you need for a hurricane in Disney World

Stock Your Hotel Room

Disney World has shut down the parks in the past due to severe weather. While that is rare, there’s always the possibility that could happen. Some restaurants and stores in Disney hotels typically will remain open for guests during this time, but it’s still a good idea to have some essentials stocked in the event that the parks do close and you have to ride out the storm in your hotel room.

You might want to stock up on some groceries before the weather turns so you don’t want to have to rely on Disney food while you’re stuck in the hotel. Grab your favorite snacks and drinks to have on hand for the storm — and don’t forget you can have them delivered!

You can use Instacart or another grocery delivery service to make this painless, assuming you do this before any closures and service stops take place.

Click here to learn more about grocery delivery in Disney World

Prepare for Closures

As mentioned, Disney World has closed in the past due to severe weather, so make sure you are prepared for this possibility. On top of having desired food and drinks ready in your hotel room, you might want to mentally prepare for the fact that your trip could look different than you anticipated. This might mean having ways to stay entertained if you are stuck in your room, like books and card games.

Even if entire parks don’t close for the storm, some attractions may have to close temporarily due to inclement weather in the area. That’s something you can discuss with your group so everyone is aware of this possibility.

If you have your heart set on a specific attraction that relies on clear skies, you might want to prioritize those so that you’re not stuck missing out if they are shut down for the better half of the day.

Watch the News

Storm predictions can change frequently — so keep your eye on the news! The storm can decrease in severity or strengthen as it gets closer, so you’ll want to monitor the situation to stay ready.

Depending on the severity of the storm, you might want to consider avoiding the parks or rescheduling your trip altogether.

Click here to see our post that’ll be continually updated with storm news

Prepare for Flight Delays and Cancelations

Another aspect of your trip to be mindful of is air travel. While conditions can be perfectly fine where you’re taking off from, severe weather in Florida can have serious impacts on your flight.

You might have long delays or even cancelations to deal with depending on when your flight is scheduled. Be mindful of your air carrier’s cancelation policies during this time, and keep in mind that your preferred transportation carrier and more will have cancelation policies of their own for you to consider. You may want to look into travel insurance and whether that cost would be worth it for you in this instance.

Occasionally, the entire Orlando International Airport will close for severe weather, so keep an eye on this as well!

When to Cancel

Lastly, be aware of Disney World’s cancellation policy. Here’s what Disney says:

If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort hotel packages and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney. Most room-only and vacation packages can be modified, or cancelled online, including changes to travel dates.

If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation—such as air transportation, hotels, car rental agencies or travel insurance companies—you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences.

Currently, there is only a Tropical Storm Watch in effect for the Disney World area. But, this could change at any time, so keep an eye on the forecast to know if canceling is something your family should consider.

Click here for a Step-by-Step Guide to Hurricane Cancelation Policies and Refunds in Disney World

We’ll be on the lookout for any updates so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest.

Have you ever been to Disney World during a tropical storm or hurricane? Let us know in the comments below!