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Disney, Universal Florida theme parks in Labor Day weekend plans? Your travel forecast is here

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Disney, Universal Florida theme parks in Labor Day weekend plans? Your travel forecast is here

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Labor Day weekend is on the horizon, which means an unofficial close to the summer season. Why not spend spend it with Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter or a pack of penguins?

Always celebrated on the first Monday in September, this year’s Labor Day will be Monday, Sept. 2. And one of Florida’s most touristy cities is in AAA’s list of the top Labor Day destinations in the U.S. this year.

For wanting to spend the three-day weekend at Disney World, Universal Studios or any of Florida’s theme parks, here’s what to know about traveling and what the weather forecast will look like.

What are the top travel destinations for Labor Day weekend? Orlando ranks high

“According to AAA booking data, overall domestic travel over Labor Day weekend is up 9% compared to last year, while the cost to travel domestically is down 2%,” AAA’s Labor Day travel trends report says.

Orlando unsurprisingly ranked high on AAA’s list of the top 10 most popular Labor Day weekend destinations in the U.S. for 2024, in second place, right behind Seattle, Washington.

Here’s AAA’s list of the top 10 most popular Labor Day weekend destinations in the U.S. this year:

  1. Seattle, Washington
  2. Orlando, Florida
  3. Anchorage, Alaska
  4. New York, New York
  5. Boston, Massachusetts
  6. Las Vegas, Nevada
  7. Denver, Colorado
  8. Chicago, Illinois
  9. Juneau, Alaska
  10. San Francisco, California

Where are Florida’s main theme parks located?

Before you head out on your road trip, make sure you know where you’re going. From Orlando to Tampa, here are the official addresses for each of the top theme parks in Florida:

Walt Disney World:

  • Magic Kingdom – 1180 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
  • EPCOT – 200 Epcot Center Drive. Lake Buena Vista, FL 32821
  • Hollywood Studios – 351 South Studio Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
  • Animal Kingdom – 2901 Osceola Parkway, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure – 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819

SeaWorld Orlando – 7007 Sea World Dr., Orlando, FL 32821

Legoland Florida – 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay – 10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa, FL 33612

What is the busiest travel day this Labor Day weekend?

According to AAA’s Labor Day weekend travel outlook for 2024, you should avoid driving on Thursday and Friday evening. And if you’re planning to travel home on Sunday, the earlier you leave, the better.

“INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says car travelers should avoid the afternoon and early evening hours of Thursday and Friday, as those times will be the most congested,” AAA’s report said. 

“Drivers should hit the road in the morning unless they’re leaving on Saturday when the best time to travel by car is in the afternoon. Travelers returning on Sunday and on Labor Day should leave as early as possible to avoid heavy traffic in the afternoon.”

Here are the best and worst times to travel by car this Labor Day weekend, according to AAA and INRIX:

  • Best times for departing:
    • Thursday, August 29 – Before 11 a.m.
    • Friday, August 30 – Before noon, after 7 p.m.
    • Saturday, August 31 – After noon
  • Worst times for departing:
    • Thursday, August 29 – 1 p.m. through 7:30 p.m.
    • Friday, August 30 – 2 p.m. through 6 p.m.
    • Saturday, August 31 – 8 a.m. through 11 a.m.
  • Best times for returning:
    • Sunday, September 1 – Before noon
    • Monday, September 2 – Before 10 a.m.
    • Tuesday, September 3 – After 1 p.m.
  • Worst times for returning:
    • Sunday, September 1 – 2 p.m. through 8 p.m.
    • Monday, September 2 – 11 a.m. through 8 p.m.
    • Tuesday, September 3 – 8 a.m. through noon

What will the Florida weather forecast look like?

Watches and warnings:

Labor Day falls during the busiest months of the Atlantic hurricane season and just days away from the historical peak of the season. The National Hurricane Center on Wednesday was monitoring two tropical disturbances in the Atlantic.

So what does that mean for the holiday weekend’s weather? Hot and rainy throughout the state. Here’s what the forecast look like in Orlando and Tampa, where the state’s theme parks are housed:

  • Friday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 92. East wind 5 to 10 mph
  • Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
  • Sunday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
  • Labor Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
  • Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 94. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
  • Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 93. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
  • Sunday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. High near 93. East southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
  • Labor Day: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 93. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tampa, Orlando, Central Florida weather radar

Tips and tricks on how to make the most out of a rainy day at Disney World, Universal

Don’t let this holiday weekend’s forecast make you gloomy.

Whether you’re purposely venturing out in the midst of a hurricane or accidentally coming across light rain on your Florida amusement park trip, here’s 11 tips and tricks on how to make the most of your stormy day:

  • Check weather apps before you leave for park outing
  • Wear waterproof shoes to parks
  • Ditch the umbrella, opt for raincoats or ponchos
  • Pack some extra plastic bags to store belongings
  • Take advantage of the indoor rides, attractions
  • Check out the shops, get a rainy day treat
  • Speaking of eating, try to plan out meals or make reservations
  • If there’s ever a time to ride a water attraction, go for it
  • No lightning or just a drizzle? Still get in line for outdoor rides
  • Bring a change of clothes just incase
  • Make alternative plans if you can at nearby locations

Contributing: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida

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