From TH Creative on January 5, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Poor weather has made this holiday season a terrible disappointment for the Orlando tourism industry. The rain during the bowl game, the cold weather shutting down Aquatica. It's been really disheartening. The one bright spot was New Year's Eve when temperatures jumped to 75+ degrees.

From Robert Niles on January 5, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Anyone who sits in the splash zone at a SeaWorld show when the temperature is under 50 degrees out to be immediately committed to permanent residence in the Wild Arctic exhibit, since they obviously are part-polar bear.

From Anthony Murphy on January 5, 2010 at 1:22 PM
EPCOT is the best Disney park, IMO to go when its cold outside !

From 24.90.249.214 on January 5, 2010 at 7:47 PM
How do you keep water rides from freezing like splash mountain because ice is bigger then water and could that casue the track to crack if water is frozen?

From M. Ryan Traylor on January 5, 2010 at 7:49 PM
Heat also causes problems in the parks too. And I'm not just talking about the dehydrate soda drinkers passing out and falling into the parade path. Volcano at Kings Dominion had operation problems due to heat. The track at the eruption point of the volcano would be in direct sunlight and expand enough to slow the train and prevent it from cresting the loop. The train would then drop back and get relaunched, probably with fingers crossed.

From Robert Niles on January 5, 2010 at 7:57 PM
Water rides aren't really an issue, unless the temperature were to fall below freezing for an extended period of time (i.e. several days). Then, I suspect you'd need to drain and cover all exterior flumes to prevent damage. But Orlando's not been *that* cold in its theme park era.

That said, water rides pose an issue for visitors. I wouldn't go on any ride (or to any show) that might get you wet with temperatures under 60s, unless you were planning to change into dry clothes soon after. And I wouldn't go on a wet ride with temps below the 50s under any circumstances. The time it'd take to get to a place to change would be too long to avoid potential drop in body temperature.

From Rob P on January 6, 2010 at 1:32 AM
That comment about extra warnings for splash-zoners at Seaworld reminded me of one December when I got soaked at Dolphin Cove.
We'd been careful to avoid the splash zones as it was getting pretty cool but petting and interacting with the dolphins seemed perfectly "safe". It was until the dolphin with the scar across his eye ( I kid you not ! ) decided to "ambush" unsuspecting visitors and soak them with ice cold water.
I was unlucky enough to take the full brunt of his actions and got soaked through. It was impossible to properly dry off and we made our way to the Busch hospitality pavilion for some free hot coffee and some humorous sympathy from the staff.
All good fun but something to avoid on future visits during cold spells.

From 24.144.112.172 on January 6, 2010 at 9:31 AM
I chanced BGTB in cold weather - I just rode the six coasters. I'll be likely going to DHS - lots of indoor attractions and MuppetVision 3D, which is appropriate for this year's campaign by WDW (Give A Day, Get A Disney Day, if you know what I mean). As long as I don't ride any wet rides (gentle ones like Living with the Land at Epcot and "it's a small world" at MK are exceptions), I sometimes go to the parks during cold weather.

From Ted Heumann on January 6, 2010 at 4:51 PM
That Global Warming thing is causing trouble ALL around the world. **sarcasm**

From 195.226.52.68 on January 8, 2010 at 8:53 AM
Well as a UK rider, let me tell you - the rapids ride at alton towers no matter what time of year is always cold! It always surprises me how many people seem to still ride it in winter - eek, it is ssooooooo cold!

From Charles Reichley on January 8, 2010 at 5:33 PM
At the BGW christmastown, they were operating the Griffon. It was closed the day we were there because the temperature was too low.

Last year we went to Dollywood before Christmas, and one day the high temperature was 25. On that day, there were very few rides running. They couldn't run the metal rides below 40.

From 67.78.252.254 on January 10, 2010 at 4:24 PM
I went to universal today. I was really disapointed because almost all of the coasters were closed. My favorite ride
RIP RIDE ROCKET was not running and they said they would open
it later for sure. They never did though. Hulk took awhile to
open but it did finally. Dueling dragons did not close at all.
I went on Rip Saw falls with my 10 year old brother. we froze
to death. My thighs were completely numb. I thought I was going to die from being to cold. My absolute favorite
ride Doctor doom Fearfall never opened. So mostly everything
i wanted to ride was closed. Hopefully those rides dont close next time.