The 2026 Hurricane Season Could Be DIFFERENT — Here's Why

Hurricane season in Disney World can often cause more harm than good, especially considering storms can shut down outdoor Disney World rides, and hurricanes and tropical storms as a whole can shut down the parks if the threat is great enough (it’s rare, but it’s happened!).

Storm season!

It’s also important to remember that there’s hurricane season, AND a rainy season, and while they’re not the same thing, they often coincide with each other. Hurricane season officially runs from June 1st through November 30th, while the rainy season happens to be most of the summer. If you’re traveling to Disney World during this time, we 100% recommend bringing a poncho or umbrella with you to use every day, even if there isn’t rain in the forecast, because it can change on a dime! It looks like we’ve got some potentially good news, though, from Colorado State University’s Seasonal Hurricane Forecasting — it’s possible this season could be LESS activity than normal.

The CSU Hurricane Forecast for 2026 shows not only the predictions for this year, but also the average from 1991 to 2020. CSU’s original forecast for this upcoming season was released on April 9th, 2026, and from the numbers, we can see that the expectations for all categories, including Named Storms, Hurricanes, Major Hurricanes, and Accumulated Cyclone Energy, among others, are all lower than the average.

©CSU

So, what does all this mean for your Disney World trip? Well, for one, it means that there’s less of a chance that your days in the parks will be severely disrupted by a major storm. For those who are local to Orlando, it also means that you may not have to worry as much this year about intense storms affecting your everyday life. That doesn’t mean they won’t still happen, so you’ll want to keep a close eye out for advice and warnings about big storms on the way.

Magic Kingdom entrance the day after Hurricane Milton

If you do find yourself in Disney World during a tropical storm or hurricane, the good news is that you’re in one of the safest places possible! Disney has been known to rebook guests into different hotels if the one they’re staying in isn’t as safe (such as camping or staying in the cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort), and they often bring characters to the hotels to entertain guests and keep everyone calm as the storm rages outside. While Disney doesn’t like to close their parks, it will do so if it is unsafe for guests and the Cast Members. Yes, it may not be the vacation you were anticipating, but if it happens, you’ll get an experience not everyone gets to say they’ve had!

Overcast skies after Hurricane Milton

We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest hurricane and tropical storm news this year to help you prepare for your upcoming trips, so stay tuned to DFB!

The Weird Cast Member RULE That Only Applies When It Rains in Disney World

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

Are you planning to be in Disney World during hurricane season? Tell us in the comments!