A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of data tracks, wherein each data track comprises a plurality of data sectors. A head is actuated over the disk, wherein the head comprises a laser operable to heat the disk while writing data to the disk. When a write command is received to write data to a target data sector of a target data track, the head is positioned over the target data track. When the head reaches the target data sector, a power applied to the laser is increased to above a steady state value to compensate for a high fly height of the head. The power applied to the laser is decreased toward the steady state value while writing at least part of the data to the target data sector.