Disney vacations are of course, magical, and filled with pixie dust. But what happens when it literally begins to rain on your parade? Have you noticed that it rains for at least an hour almost every summer day in Florida? Here are some ideas to help you enjoy a rain storm at Disney.
Be Prepared: a little planning can make all the difference when it comes to facing a downpour at Disney. In my park bag, I always have a poncho with me. Ponchos are great! They are inexpensive (you can usually find them at the Dollar Store), small and portable, and you don’t have to worry about lugging around an umbrella. I personally don’t like umbrellas at Disney – they just get in the way and I’m always afraid I’m going to hit someone with mine. For me, ponchos are totally the way to go! Just embrace the not-so-fashionable aspect of them.
Along with a poncho, I also like to have Ziploc bags on hand for my phone and camera. Ziploc bags can really be a huge money saver at Disney! Another great lightweight item to carry in your park bag is a small towel. Once the rain stops, a towel is nice to have so you can wipe down a bit, or to dry off your poncho (or umbrella), before you store it in your backpack. Bring one from home, or grab a hand towel from your hotel room.
And last but not least, make sure to bring water-resistant shoes! On my last trip to Disney, I got absolutely SOAKED at Animal Kingdom. Most of the morning had been a light drizzle, but it really started coming down heavy in the early afternoon. Thinking “well, I can’t really get any wetter!” I opted to ride Kali River Rapids – with my poncho on. I really thought this was a great idea.
Everything was fine until the ride was over. As I stood up, all of the water that had collected into the lap of my poncho poured directly into my shoes. It was terrible. I felt like I was walking on sponges. I had no choice but to breakdown and do the one thing I swore to myself I would NEVER do. I bought Crocs. Yes, I shelled out a very pretty penny for some not so pretty shoes. Although the fashionista in me died a little bit that day, my feet were so happy to be out of my soaking wet sneakers!
Now, I’m definitely not suggesting you wear Crocs all day, everyday. Please, don’t! But have a set of lightweight sandals on hand is never a bad idea.
Escape to Dry Land: or really, dry attractions. So many attractions at Disney are covered, it’s definitely possible to dodge between them and stay mostly dry during a rain storm. A mid-afternoon shower is a great time to check out one of the indoor live shows such as Finding Nemo The Musical, Festival of the Lion King, Enchanted Tales with Belle, or Ellen’s Energy Adventure.
If you are more of a thrill seeker – attractions like Soarin’, Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster, and Space Mountain are all completely covered. I will say though, I rode Expedition Everest while it was raining and it was so much fun! The wind and rain whipping in my face definitely added to the terror aspect. I was laughing like crazy the whole time. Attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s a small world, and Peter Pan’s Flight are also great when it rains as queues are covered, and the rides are all indoors.
Just Keep Swimming: As the first rain drops start to fall, most guests head straight to the nearest gift shop or restaurant to wait it out. Remember, it’s a just a little water! “Just keep swimming” and you will be able to walk onto rides that usually have a longer wait. Don’t let a little bit of weather ruin your day – have fun!
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade: If the rain falls during a scheduled parade time, do not despair! Disney World has a back-up parade called the Rainy Day Character Cavalcade which features Main Street USA vehicles filled with characters. While I totally agree that this parade does not live up to the spectacle of Festival of Fantasy – it’s a good consolation prize.
A rainy day at Disney does not have to mean an end to fun. As long as you are prepared, know where to escape to, and have a positive attitude, blue skies will definitely be on the horizon!
What do you do when it starts to rain at Disney? Share your tips with me in the comments!
Monica is an Alumna of the Disney College Program. When she is not walking down the middle of Main Street USA you can find her wandering the World Showcase, or enjoying a Dole Whip while racing to her favorite attractions. When she is forced to endure life outside of Walt Disney World, you can find her in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she lives and works. You can visit her Disney lifestyle blog here.
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