Disney World in the Rain

About a week before any Disney vacation (well, any trip actually), I start obsessively checking the weather reports. No one wants it to rain on their parade, and the weather is even more important when you’ll be spending so much time outside.

 But let’s face it, Florida is in a tropical-ish region, and it rains there. A lot. For much of the year. Odds are, you’ll see some rain during your visit, so you better plan for it. In the summer (so, half the year) an afternoon thunderstorm is a common daily occurrence. So what do you do at Walt Disney World in the rain? I’ve got you covered. But first, here are the rainfall and temperature averages:

Here’s the thing: It doesn’t have to ruin your trip. We generally experience some rain on every trip that lasts more than 3 or 4 days. Sometimes we get lucky and it only rains a couple times for short spurts, but we’ve also had some real doozies. On a week long visit in May 2009, it rained every day but the first. And not just afternoon thunderstorms, but all day long. Torrential, 100-year flood kind of rains. I remember wading through ankle deep water in Epcot one day, then sitting and wringing our our socks during a brief dry spell. That was when I learned to never wear socks and sneakers on a rainy day!

Drying off and warming up at the Garden Grill in Epcot

So how do you deal with the inevitable rainy day at Disney? Two things: Be prepared and keep going!

Prepare for Rain – 5 Things You Need

#1: Ponchos

Go ahead and get these before the trip. You can buy the dollar store type, but they are very thin and usually only good for one use. The upside is, they take up less room in your bag. You could probably even stick one in a fanny pack.

We are currently on our second set of Disney ponchos that we bought at the park. The first set lasted a good 10-12 trips. A poncho at Disney will set you back about $12. They are much better quality than the dollar store ponchos, and longer with longer sleeves. But you can find decent ponchos at your local sporting goods store or Walmart that will be similar quality to Disney’s for less. Or spring for something more durable like this one:

Hooded Rain Poncho with Pockets from Amazon

It comes in 32 styles / colors, but I really like the red polka dot – very Minnie Mouse! I might have to order that for my next trip.

Like I said previously, if I know there is a good chance of rain, I won’t wear sneakers. There are a lot of areas around the parks with poor drainage and it floods quickly. Even when the rain isn’t that heavy, it doesn’t take much before your shoes are drenched.

Quick tip to keep your feet and legs drier: pull your arms inside the sleeves and tent the front of the poncho out over your feet as you walk. It looks silly, but it does help. A lot.

You notice I don’t suggest umbrellas? These aren’t a good idea for the parks. If it’s crowded, you’ll end up poking someone. You’ll need one for everyone in the family. And if its heavy rain, an umbrella will really only keep you dry from the shoulders up.

#2: The Right Shoes

My preferred shoe at Disney is Birkenstock, followed by Tevas. So avoiding sneakers is no big deal for me. But if you are a die-hard athletic shoe devotee, slip a pair of flip flops in your bag just in case. Or at least bring an extra pair of socks. You’ll thank me.

#3: Something Warm

You may want to bring a light sweater or sweatshirt along, even in the summer. The air-conditioning will feel even colder if you’re damp from the rain.

#4: A Hat

Even with your poncho hood up, your face will get wet. Wear a ball cap and pull the hood up over it and you’ll be good to go.

ShamWow The Original Super Absorbent Multi-Purpose Cleaning Shammy (Chamois) Towel Cloth, Machine Washable, Will Not Scratch, Orange (4 Pack) from Amazon

Touring Walt Disney World in the Rain

When the inevitable happens, don’t rush for the exits! Throw on those ponchos and keep truckin. Many people will leave if the rain drags on, so if you tough it out you’ll be rewarded with lighter crowds.

We’re practically the only ones here!

The good news is, so many of Disney’s attractions are actually housed in large buildings, and even the queues are often covered. So you’ll still find plenty to do. Once you’re under cover, take off your ponchos, shake them off, and then roll them up and stuff them in a shopping bag. You don’t want to drip everywhere and if you’re going on a ride, the cast members will ask you to remove them so you don’t get the seats all wet.

 This is also a good time to take in one of the many wonderful shows at the parks. Sometimes these get passed up in favor of rides, but if you’re postponing a few of the outdoor rides, you’ll have time to see somethings you might have missed.

 Here is list of indoor attractions at each park, as well as the uncovered rides you may want to skip if the rain is heavy:

Some attractions, like the Peoplemover or Carousel, have exposed sides and could be moved to the ‘No’ column if the rain is heavy. Conversely, if the rain is light, you might just go ahead and ride whatever you want. I purposely put Splash Mountain and Kali River Rapids in the rain-friendly column. You’ll be getting wet anyway – the rain will be the least of it!

Dreary weather can wear you down, but if you manage to make it until the end of the night, you’ll probably be rewarded with a good viewing spot for the fireworks. They do typically go on in the rain although if it is very windy or there is lightning nearby it can be delayed or canceled.

The most important tip? Don’t let the rain ruin your fun. I learned this from experience. On our 2009 trip when the rain never stopped I was pretty bummed. I wanted Florida sunshine. But I pretended it didn’t bother me – that it was one big adventure. And after a while, it didn’t (too much). And my girls, who were 5 and 8 at the time, followed my lead. If I’d let my true feelings show, I know they would have picked up on it and mirrored my mood. Instead, we look back on that trip with great memories. And, since it couldn’t get much worse than that outside of a hurricane (according to the weather reporters at the time), we know that a few measly afternoon thunderstorms are no biggie.

Have you ever toured Disney World in the rain? How did you salvage your vacation? Share your tips in the comments below. Just starting to plan your trip? Download my free printable planning timeline and learn how to Plan Your Trip in 10 Easy Steps. Want help planning? Fill out a free quote request on my CONTACT page or email me at rebecca@magicaltravel.com.