Disney World In The Rain: What To Do When Rainy Weather Hits

Nothing is quite as disappointing than learning that a day or two of your magical Disney vacation is going to be hindered by rain. Don’t be discouraged because Disney World in the rain is the best time to go! Here is everything you need to know to turn your rainy day at Disney into an awesome one.

Florida is notorious for its scattered rain showers and spurts of rain throughout the week. As a vacationer, know that during your visit, you will likely get rained on multiple times. The good news is that Disney Imagineers knew and planned for the rain that Disney World would experience. That is why a majority of rides are indoors, including the line queues, and many modifications have been made to help keep performances and parades going if the weather decides to turn a little dreary.

During our latest visit to Disney World, we had the joy of experiencing the tail end of a tropical depression that was making its way across Florida. If you come prepared to face the elements, you will experience fewer crowds and little wait times, which in a way spoiled us. It makes me only want to visit Disney World when it is raining!

Is Disney World Open In The Rain

Disney World is open in the rain, including their water parks. With the majority of attractions being indoors, there is still plenty to do in the rain. They do not issue refunds for rainy or stormy weather. However, in the event of a hurricane, there is a refund policy that can be located on their website.

What if it Thunderstorms

Outdoor rides will shut down when lightning strikes within 10 miles of the parks. Lightning doesn’t even need to be present to shut an outdoor attraction down. Wind and rain are all taken into consideration to ensure guest safety.

The good news is that Disney will usually not close the queue line, so guests have the option to wait it out. Waiting could end up in your favor as storms are often short-lived, and many guests will leave the line!

Also, you may want to note that it does not even have to be raining for attractions to close! Sometimes it will be completely sunny outside, and an outdoor ride will be forced to close. Closures can happen due to both wind and lightning.

What Is Open At Disney World In The Rain

Magic Kingdom Attractions Open In The Rain 

The Magic Kingdom is a great spot to visit while it is rainy, as many of the attractions are indoors. If you happen to be caught in a shower, go directly to Mickey’s PhilharMagic. This 12-minutes 3D movie is the perfect way to beat the rain. By the time we came out, the shower had passed.

Here is a list of what is open at the Magic Kingdom in the rain. Keep in mind many attractions will shut down if winds are strong and there is lightening.

• Space Mountain
• Haunted Mansion
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• ” it’s a small world”
• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Enchanted Tiki Room
• The Hall of Presidents
• Meet Ariel In Her Grotto
• Mad Tea Party
• Princess Fairytale Hall
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Carousel of Progress

Epcot Attractions Open In The Rain 

Epcot is the go-to place to visit when rain hits Disney World because almost everything is indoors except for the test track. Longer lines for popular attractions may take place, but it is a great time to explore the different countries as many visitors tend to ignore these parts since they don’t have rides.

Here is a list of what is open in Epcot during the rain:

• Frozen Ever After
• The Land Pavillion
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
• Ellen’s Energy Adventure
• Impressions de France
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• The American Adventure
• Mission: SPACE
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Spaceship Earth

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Attractions Open In The Rain 

Disney Hollywood Studios is another great park to visit in the rain as there are plenty of attractions that are indoors. The Disney Junior Dance Party is always a hit while others rush in line to meet Chewbacca. Here is a list of what is open during the rain in Hollywood Studios.

• Muppet Vision 3D
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Lightning McQueen Racing Academy
• Star Tours
• Voyage of The Little Mermaid
• Star Wars Rise of the Resistance
• Star Wars Launch Bay
• Mickey’s Shorts Theater
• Toy Story Mania!
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Attractions Open In The Rain 

A visit to the Animal Kingdom can be enjoyable in the rain. Many tend to avoid Animal Kingdom in the rain since many attractions close; however, there are quite a few things that you can do to make the most of your experience.

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Na’vi River Journey
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Catch A Performance of The Lion King
• DINOSAUR

Do Parades and Shows Still Happen in The Rain?

Disney does it’s best to ensure that the shows and parades go on; however, there are times when the weather will make it unsafe for the performers. Everything will ultimately depend on how bad the weather is going to be. A little drizzle won’t stop a parade, but a full out thunderstorm will. In the event, the weather conditions are too bad to bring out parade floats, Disney offers the Rainy Day Calvacade.

Rainy Day Calvacade

Offered only at the Magic Kingdom, The Rainy Day Calvacde is a parade designed just for crummy weather. Dancers parade down the street in rain jackets, galoshes, and hats and dance in the rain! A few of the characters make their appearance in cars or a gazebo float. It is quite a sight to see and pure Disney magic.

Does Disney World Do Shows and Fireworks In The Rain

It is a rare event for Disney World to cancel their firework or night time shows. Often they may be delayed until a break in the weather by up to two hours. The majority of the night time shows will go one, even if delayed. The only show that may be canceled would be Fantasmic! Since there are live performers and Disney takes safety very seriously. Occasionally, performers will have to stop the show because of the weather. Overall, I would count on seeing the shows rain or shine. Grab a poncho and make the most of a rainy day show.

Can I Get A Disney World Rain Poncho

Yes! The minute a rain cloud hits the radar, Disney World pulls their ponchos front and center. Ponchos will run $12 each, but they are more durable than the ones you would purchase at a dollar store. They also sell stroller rain covers for 25 dollars. I observed two types of poncho users during our visit. The first are those to get a handful of cheap ponchos at a dollar store or Walmart and throw them away after the rain, so they don’t have to carry around a wet poncho. The second are those that have invested in a more durable poncho. Keeping the poncho tucked away to be able to pull out again and again. It may also double as a souvenir.

What To Pack To Bring To Disney World When It Rains

• Bring ponchos or a raincoat. I recommend a plastic bag to place these in for after the rain stops.
• A change of socks. In the event it stops rating, you can switch out your socks for a drier pair.
• If you are staying for more than one day at the parks, I would be sure that you pack two pairs of shoes. That way you don’t have to wear wet shoes the next day.
• Wear quick-dry clothing
• Bring proper footwear. Sandals and flip-flops in the rain are not ideal.
• Pack SunScreen. Even if it is raining, the chances are it will clear up and the sun will come out. Burning can happen even in cloudy weather. Ensure to have the proper protection for your skin.
• Ziploc Bags-Place valuables such as your phone, wallet, and other electronics in the baggies to keep them dry.
• Stroller Rain Cover- If you are bringing a stroller, bring a rain cover. It rains quite frequently, and those covers are great for keeping little ones dry.
• A small hand towel- you will be grateful you stuck this in your bag.

How To Prepare For It to Be Raining In Disney

Plan Ahead

Monitor the weather, but keep in mind things change quickly. The best mindset is to just roll with it. During our recent trip to Disney World, it was predicted that rain would last from 5 am to 7 pm on our Magic Kingdom Day. While it is was pouring when we headed out, there were plenty of periods of light rain with the entire storm system moving out by 2 pm! The sun was shining, and the rest of our day was just as magical as the first part.

Plan on selecting a park to visit based on what you want to see and experience. All four parks offer plenty of attractions and shows that still operate in the rain, but some offer more than others. Our top picks for a rainy day is the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. This is based on attractions that are open, the amount of large open spaces, and character experiences. While Epcot has its rainy day perks, it can get very crowded in the rain. 

If rain is in the forecast for Disney World consider taking a Day Trip From Orlando to one of these 19 Fantastic Spots.

Start Your Day Early

The rope droppers are there for a reason, arriving early in the morning gives you a whole different Disney World experience as crowds are small. Magic Hours are genuinely fantastic as overnight guests get into the park an hour before the general public, allowing them first dibs to get on the most popular rides without waiting. It seems like when it is rainy, guests can delay arriving, yielding even smaller crowds! We were the only people on the Mad Hatter Tea Cups at one point! Insanity!

If you are considering holding out on visiting the park until after the morning I recommend checking out one of the Great Spots To Grab Brunch In Orlando.

Snag Those Last Minute Restaurant Reservations

Take advantage of other jumping ship but trying to grab a reservation at one of the harder to get places. As the rain starts pouring hop on your Disney World App multiple times throughout the day in an attempt to catch an open dinner reservation at venues such as Cinderella’s Royal Table, Be Our Guest Restuarant, and Akershus.

Outdoor Food Stands Close 

If the weather turns bad, the outdoor food stands will close up shop. Many of the Cast Members often seek shelter nearby and will reopen the stands once it is safe to do so.

Go With The Flow

The best piece of advice I can give is to go with the flow. There isn’t anything one can do to control the weather, but you can control your mindset. Go in with a positive mindset and make the most of your time. Laugh often, even if you are soaked from head to toe. It will be these memories that often shine through.

Unique Things To Do At Disney World In The Rain

There are a plethora of attractions to do at Disney World on a rainy day. If you opt-out of visiting one of the parks, here is a list of unique things to do at Disney World in the rain.  

Go To A Waterpark

Embrace the rain by venturing to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. Both waterparks remain open during light rain and will often see fewer crowds on rainy days. In the event lightning is happening nearby, they will close the waterpark. You are going to get wet one way or another!

Plan A Spa Day

Indulge in a little self-care by booking a few spa services during your stay at Walt Disney World. After a day or two of hitting the parks, a therapeutic massage likely sounds divine. There are many spas scattered throughout the resorts offering a variety of different services. Plan, and if you see rain, the forecast call and make those appointments before they book up.

Create Your Own Monorail Tour

Rain is a great reason to hop aboard the monorail to explore all the monorail resorts. While it may not be Big Mountain Thunder Railroad, the monorail can often serve as a minor thrill among young people. Discover all the different resorts along Disney’s monorail resort line. Create your spin by making it into a tour. Whether it is resort loop bar hopping, food tour, or a shopping spree, there is always something to explore at the different resorts.

Swing into the Tambu Lounge at the Grand Polynesian for their signature Lapu Lapu cocktail, sample the goat cheese ravioli at the California Grill in the Contemporary, and pick up that perfect souvenir at M. Mouse Merchantile in the Grand Floridian. Disney World even offers a Highway in the Sky Dine Around Progressive Dinner that will take guests to three high-end restaurants along the monorail resort loop.

Catch A Movie At Disney Springs

Disney Springs can be incredibly crowded in the rain. Parking can be hard to come by, so we recommend taking a bus or using the Minnie Van Service. While many flock to this shopping mecca for the novelty stores and restaurants, there is an AMC movie theater tucked away along the strip. Catch the latest films while relaxing in their upscale theater with seat-side dining.

Disney World In The Rain