Don’t Rain On My Parade: Tips for Surviving a Rainy Day at Disney World

Nothing can rain on my parade when I’m enjoying a Disney Park. You know what they say, a rainy day at Disney World is more fun than a sunny day in the real world. Don’t let a factor as fickle as the weather dictate the fun you have at Walt Disney World. Follow these tips to make the most out of any weather at the Most Magical Place on Earth.

Here are tips for surviving a rainy day at Disney World. 

Plan Smart

This step begins prior to your vacation with smart packing and planning. As simple as this may sound, preparing your travel party for the possibility of inclement weather can do a lot to save time and group morale during a rainy Park day. Speak to your family before the vacation about the plan in the event of rain or stormy weather. 

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 If half your travel party refuses to continue a Park day in the rain, your plans will be derailed quickly. Speak to young children about the possibility of rain and the need to wear jackets or ponchos in the event of some showers. Let them know that Disney World will still be tons of fun in the rain and that central Florida, especially in summer, sees almost daily popup showers. No big deal, the rain passes as quickly as it came.

Pack Smart

Obviously, wearing comfortable shoes is a no-brainer with all the walking you will be doing in the Parks at Walt Disney World. Wearing well-ventilated shoes is also a great idea to avoid soggy feet from rain and water rides.

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Because the central Florida heat will likely have you dressing in layers anyway, wearing quick dry clothing is a great idea to quickly recover after getting drenched by rain. Comfy loose fit clothing is a great option to ensure you will be able to dry quickly. Stash a mini friction block stick in your Park bag just in case you have any shoe or clothing rubbing discomfort as a result of dampness.

Rain Gear

The best no-brainer rain advice is, of course, to pack rain gear. A rain jacket or poncho in your Park bag is a must and will save you from dashing to a store between storms to purchase rain gear with a throng of other Guests. Thin, breathable rain jackets that fold into a pocket-sized pouch are one of the best investments a repeat Walt Disney World Park Guest will ever make. 

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These light jackets are a lifesaver in the event of a downpour, but they don’t consume a crazy amount of space in your Park bag. My family loves the quality of LAND’S END packable raincoats. These washable jackets are great for the Parks, are machine washable, and are built to last.

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Disney rain ponchos are another great investment as they are much more durable than other ponchos you will find at retail stores at home. Best of all, if you hang them up to dry properly in your Resort room, they can be reused for future Disney vacations.

Harness Technology 

Weather forecast apps are a golden resource on a Disney vacation. By knowing when ugly weather is going to pop up, and tracking how long it will be in the area, Guests can strategically plan around the weather. During a day in EPCOT, my family loves to duck into The Mexican Temple at World Showcase to ride out a storm while shopping, tequila tasting, or riding Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. 

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If you are ready to eat, why not have lunch at an indoor restaurant in the mid-afternoon when you expect a shower? Of course, plenty of indoor attractions also have covered ride queues that will get you out of the weather while still ensuring you are seeing attractions. Peter Pan’s Flight at Magic Kingdom is one of my favorite places to dash when the weather gets bad. The ride queue is fun to play in, and you are covered from the elements while awaiting the ride.

Disney Springs Indoor Activities

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For Guests looking to escape a lingering rainy day, entertainment options at Disney Springs are the way to go. Visit Splitsville Luxury Lanes for bowling and gaming fun with the family. Wander over to the House of Blues to enjoy live music and an appetizer.

If you are ready to get cozy on a dreary day, catch a movie at the AMC- 24 Dine-In Theatre. Of course, you could also dash between shops to browse awesome character-clad merchandise and dodge rain showers.

Take a Break

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If you were already planning to take a break from the Parks midday (we recommend it), then use a stint of bad weather or sustained heavy rain as an opportunity to leave the Park for a while. Consult a weather forecast app and head to your Disney Resort for a nap or to a nearby Disney Resort to enjoy some downtime during the downpour. We promise you won’t regret that afternoon cocktail at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. You’ll return after the rain, feeling rejuvenated and ready to go.

Catch Up On Shopping 

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If you were already planning on doing some shopping, a rainy portion of the day is a great time to do it. So many shops on Main Street U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom and in Hollywood Studios are connected, allowing Guests to browse between stores without going back out into the weather.

Indoor Shows and Attraction

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Covered shows and rides that have indoor ride queues and loading areas are a great way to escape the weather. Waiting for Pirates of the Caribbean in the cool cavernous ride queue or enjoying a show at the Enchanted Tiki Room or at Country Bear Jamboree are great ways to enjoy a longer attraction during storms.

In Animal Kingdom, watching Festival of The Lion King or Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! are great choices. In Hollywood Studios, visiting Star Wars Launch Bay or For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration are great choices to escape the weather and still have fun.

Keep A Sunny Attitude

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The real key to dealing with a rainy day at Walt Disney World is to have a great attitude and make the decision to have fun regardless of the weather. Some of the shortest attraction wait times and best Disney memories I have, happened on a rainy day in the Magic Kingdom. 

First time visitors are often surprised to see poncho-clad families enjoy the Parks as normal in the rain, and honestly that is the best course of action. Choose to look on the bright side and enjoy your vacation as fully as possible, regardless of variables that are beyond your control.

Don’t let anyone rain on your parade, have a magical vacation!