It's a sad fact that even Disney parks are not immune to Mother Nature and her mighty elements. Thus, any guests heading to Disneyland or Disney World (not to mention parks around the world) will have to put up with the rain. Florida residents know full well how nasty some rainstorms can become, especially during hurricane season. While California has a reputation for always being sunny, they get their share of washout days too. Having this happen is annoying, but that doesn't mean your Disney vacation is ruined.
Handling rain in a Disney park can be tricky, but it helps to be prepared just in case. While some folks, amazingly, will ignore weather forecasts and be caught unawares by a deluge, smart travelers check it out in advance. Here are a few ways to handle Disney parks in the rain that can make it worthwhile.
Be prepared
This, of course, is the obvious start. Thanks to advances in weather apps, guests can be better set for any bad weather turns, including up-to-date radar and any alerts that can come in. Granted, weather forecasts can change suddenly these days, but at least some preparation is better than being caught flat-footed when the downpours begin.
It's also good for parents to let their kids know there is a chance of rain so they can be prepared as well rather than getting upset when it happens. It's also best to plan which park to visit on a day forecast for poor weather. For example, Animal Kingdom is so large and spread out, it can be tougher for a rainy day than Epcot, where most everything is indoors, and easier to duck inside a spot when a downpour begins.
Overall, having a good "ready for anything" attitude is best if a Disney trip coincides with tricky weather.
Poncho vs umbrella
Many guests will opt for a poncho as rain gear, either packing it themselves or springing for a Disney-themed one in the parks. It's easy to see why as they can be effective cover and, once the rain is gone, you can roll it up into your bag. However, it still can get pretty wet, not to mention more than one guest suffering from getting a poncho caught and ripped while on a ride.
An umbrella may be a bit bulkier and harder to handle when getting on a ride. However, it can also offer better rain protection, especially the larger ones. A couple of big ones can protect multiple people at once and might be preferable. It's up to the guest as each has their strengths and a question of how wet they'd want to get.
Packing for rainy weather
Whether you go for a poncho or umbrella, there are a few other things needed for a rainy day. A couple of towels can be nice, not only for your personal items but wiping off seats and other spots.
Another must are good shoes; waterproof is the best option but make sure they can handle rainy weather. Also, an extra pair of socks or two go a long way to easing your comfort in case your first pair are soaked through by lunchtime. Ziploc bags are also recommended for ponchos or other clothing that gets wet. On top of all that, a water-resistant bag to hold everything is another need to ensure items like phones and such don't get too soaked.
Not all rain is equal
One thing to keep in mind is the variations of rain, especially given Florida and California are two different climates. For Florida, the humidity and tropical storms can be an issue, so rain can vary from "flash" downpours of ten minutes to soaking all day. Even Florida residents can't fully predict how long rain will last or if it starts with little warning, but most of the time it passes quickly. Be warned though: should the rain fade and the sun comes out, it gets pretty hot pretty fast.
For California, it's more likely to get longer rainstorms which vary in how much water comes down. Thus, some souls may be brave enough to go about in lighter rain while others will want to avoid high soaking. It's also likely cooler after some rain, which means wearing layers might be a good idea.
Then there's severe weather, like lightning and wind. In some cases, it might be best just to stick to your hotel than be stuck in the parks during it. That's especially true for Disney World, which has closed the parks during hurricanes.
What's open when it rains at Disney parks?
What rides are open and closed can vary sometimes. Obviously, some outdoor rides are shut down, but others sometimes still remain open as long as there is no lightning or heavy downpour.
For example, when my family visited Disneyland in March 2023, we had a day of heavy rain in Anaheim. Dumbo, Splash Mountain, Radiator Springs, Big Thunder Mountain, the Matterhorn, Jungle Cruise and the Autopia were all open, but Alice in Wonderland, several outdoor California Adventure rides and the Storybook Canal Boats were closed all day long.
It all depends on how heavy the rain is and the length of the storm, as well as the severe weather in the area. With major lightning and wind, several roller coasters and outdoor rides will be shut down, yet others remain open, so it's all the luck of the draw.
By the way, if you have a Lightning Lane/Disney Genie for an attraction and it's shut down for weather, Disney will offer a special redemption to use later. So don't worry about wasting a pass on a shutdown ride.
What can you do when it rains?
Handling a rainy day at Disney Parks can be annoying, especially for families. However, a good thing to do is take the time for smaller attractions that can often be missed, such as the Enchanted Tiki Room, Philharmagic and other spots. It's also a good time to check out some shops or even grab a meal. There is the issue that a lot of other visitors will do the same thing so these places may get crowded quickly depending on how bad the rain is.
However, there's something about a Disney park in the rain that still feels oddly special. The lack of crowds lets you admire the architecture of the lands and some rides with shorter queues than usual (such as It's A Small World at Disneyland with its outdoor loading section).
While there's a lot of indoor attractions for guests to take in during rain, it can also be fun to see the kids running around in some puddles and Disney can do amusing bits like send characters out in umbrellas. And nothing beats the sight of a storm passing by and a rainbow over a Disney park icon to brighten your day.
At least American Disney park fans only need to worry about rain. Guests in Japan and Paris have to deal with snow at times. So while no one wants bad weather to mar a Disney trip, it doesn't have to ruin your time as you can still enjoy the Disney magic, rain or shine.