Rain at Disney World- Best Tips, What to Wear

Weather at Disney World can be very unpredictable but one thing you can guarantee is that you will experience rain during your vacation.. Hurricanes and tropical storms are always possible depending on the year. One minute it can be very hot and sunny, but the next minute can be so stormy that you can barely see 5 feet in front of you!

And trust us, contrary to popular belief, Disney does not control the weather at Disney World! Weather clearly plays an important role in how you plan for your vacation. Without being prepared for the rain at Disney World, you could end up with soaked clothes and unhappy kiddos!

Here’s the good news though. Even though the rain at Disney World can be unpredictable, there are some weather patterns you can learn to help you prepare for when it might rain. Since we visit Disney World so frequently, we’ve learned the best practices on what to do when the rain comes. Here’s your guide to tackling the rain at Disney World so you can still have the most magical vacation.

When Does It Rain the Most at Disney World?

June through September is the most common time frame for the most frequent rain at Disney World.

The summer months see afternoon showers and thunderstorms that can last as little as 30 minutes and as long as several hours.

However, there’s an important distinction between the showers and thunderstorms. June and July typically have afternoon showers, where there will be heavy rain that clears as the evening approaches. These afternoon showers are typically straightforward to deal with and don’t usually cut your theme park day short.

August and September on the other hand have thunderstorms from hurricanes, which are more likely to negatively impact your theme park day. While thunderstorms this strong don’t happen often, Disney World does have a set of procedures and policies to ensure your safety.

That doesn’t mean that it will be sunny and dry for the other 8 months of the year! While both the Spring and Fall months see more mild temperatures and decreases in average rainfall, you should still be aware that rain can still happen during these months. However, you’re most likely not going to see the extreme thunderstorms or strong, pouring rain that you’ll see in the summer months.

Remember, while most rain at Disney World happens between June and September, not all rain is created equal.

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What to Wear for Disney World in the Rain?

Packing the right clothes and accessories for your Disney vacation is the single most important thing you can do to ensure a magical time at the Disney parks!

The last thing you want is for you and your family to be stranded in the middle of a summer shower, soaked to the bone and squishing around with every step. Here’s a list of core items to have with you to be prepared if rain is in your forecast:

Poncho or Raincoat

A Disney World clothing staple, everyone in your party should have their own poncho or raincoat. We prefer ponchos over raincoats since they provide more coverage and tend to pack away easier. Just make sure to dry off your poncho at the end of the day to prevent mold and mildew from forming!

Quick-Dry Clothing

Especially in the hot summer months, a wardrobe of cotton shirts and jeans will leave you very uncomfortable when you sweat or get wet from the rain. Instead, bring lightweight clothes that wick away moisture and breathe well. This will ensure that you stay comfortable both outside and inside, despite being a little wet.

Proper Footwear

Nobody likes walking around with wet shoes. That’s why comfortable, water-resistant shoes or sandals will be absolutely key when rain is in the forecast. And make sure to bring extra socks in case your feet do get damp from the rain.

Stroller Rain Cover

For those traveling with kiddos, a stroller rain cover is essential to keep your young one dry. This comes especially useful when having to leave your stroller unattended around the theme parks. Nobody likes coming back to a soaked stroller!

Ziploc Bags

Perfect for smaller accessories like your phone or wallet, a Ziploc bag is perfect to keep things dry.

Umbrella (optional)

While a poncho and the proper footwear is enough to get the job done, an umbrella is a good option for more dry coverage. However, be aware that if the wind picks up, it can be strong enough to turn your umbrella inside out!

Pack these accessories into your suitcase and you’re sure to have a magical vacation despite the rain!

Need more help on what to pack? Read about our giant packing list so you're prepared for anything at Walt Disney World!

What Rides Close During Rain at Disney World?

This is a very common question among Disney World guests when it rains.

First and foremost, Disney wants their guests to be safe when visiting the theme parks. Outdoor attractions like Expedition Everest, Test Track, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will shut down if the rain is strong enough, and especially if there is lightning nearby. Disney does an excellent job of ensuring guest safety, including deciding when to close down rides and when to open them back up.

Another question that gets asked is what happens when an attraction is closed due to rain but you have a Genie+ reservation. If this happens, don’t worry! You should receive a “Multiple Experience” return pass, which grants you access to certain experiences that you can choose to ride depending on what’s available. Once you use this pass, you’ll be able to make another Genie+ selection.

Remember, if you have a must-do attraction on a day that’s expected to rain, consider riding it early in the day.

Nighttime Shows in the Rain at Disney World

This is very different from Disneyland where nighttime spectaculars often get cancelled due to high winds or inclement weather.

There are 2 exceptions to this. First, Fantasmic! can get cancelled if it rains because it involves life Cast Members performing on stage and Disney wants their Cast Members to stay safe. Second, any nighttime spectacular can get cancelled if there is lightning nearby.

However, rest assured that even if it rains, you’re more than likely to still be able to experience the nighttime spectaculars!

Daily Parades Will Not Run During the Rain

This is for the same reason that Fantasmic! will get cancelled if it rains.

Just like how guest safety is paramount, Disney also wants to make sure that their Cast Members are safe when they perform. If Cast Members perform in the rain, they risk slipping and falling on their parade floats or on the pavement. And with Summer showers typically happening in the afternoon when the 3:00pm parade usually happens at Magic Kingdom, it’s likely that the parade will get cancelled in the Summer months.

However, if the afternoon parade is cancelled, you’ll likely find that Disney puts on a Rainy Day Cavalcade! It’s short, but it’s very cute and guests can see some of their favorite Disney characters driving down in a classic Main Street, U.S.A. vehicle! Additionally, the castle stage show may be modified or cancelled depending on the severity of the rain. Disney does its best to still provide their guests with magical entertainment!

Remember, one of Disney’s top priorities is safety for everyone!

Disney World Transportation: Busses Rarely Shut Down

While the Disney World buses run even during thunderstorms, the other forms of Disney World transportation to shut down depending on the weather.

• Disney Skyliner: During storms or high winds or if there is nearby lightning, the Disney Skyliner does shut down. Trust us, you do not want to be inside one of the Disney Skyliner gondolas during high winds or lightning!
• Disney World Water Transportation: Just like the Disney Skyliner, if there is lightning nearby, Disney World boats will pause operations.
• Disney World Monorail: Finally, identical to the Disney Skyliner and Disney World boats, the Disney World Monorail will pause operations if there is lightning nearby.

When any or all of these modes of transportation shut down, guests still have access to the Disney World busses to get around Disney World.

Shorter Ride Times in the Rain

While there are exceptions to the rule, you can stay confident that when it rains, you’ll have an easier time riding some of your favorite attractions!

When it starts to rain at Disney World, many guests do 1 of 2 things. They either run for cover or they leave the theme parks and go to their hotels. When that happens, you’ll likely have the luxury to hop onto numerous attractions with a much lower wait time than usual!

With the knowledge from this article, not only will you be ready to handle the rain at Disney World, you’ll also be able to take advantage of the decreased crowds!

Best Disney World Rainy Day Attractions

Don’t let the rain but a damper on your Disney World vacation!

Even when outdoor attractions close, there is so much to do in the rain at Disney World. Here’s a list of attractions you can still do at each theme park:

Magic Kingdom

• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Range Spin
• Carousel of Progress
• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Enchanted Tiki Room
• The Hall of Presidents
• Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Meet Cinderella and Elena at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Meet Rapunzel and Tiana at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Meet Mickey at Town Square Theater
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Space Mountain
• Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid

EPCOT

• The American Adventure
• Frozen Ever After
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Impressions de France
• Journey Into Imagination with Figment
• Living with the Land
• Meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus
• Mission: SPACE
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• The Sea with Nemo & Friends
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Spaceship Earth
• Turtle Talk with Crush

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Disney Junior Dance Party
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
• Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Meet Mickey and Minnie at Red Carpet Dreams
• Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
• Meet Pixar Pals at Pixar Plaza
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• Star Wars Launch Bay
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• Toy Story Mania!
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• DINOSAUR
• Festival of the Lion King
• Finding Nemo: The Big, Blue and Beyond!
• It’s Tough to be a Bug!
• Na’vi River Journey

Lightning Round of Tips to Have a Magical Time in the Rain

With all this knowledge in your planning arsenal, there are a few more important tips to ensure that you have a magical time during your Disney World vacation.

A Shift in Perspective is all You Need to Have a Magical Time: While it’s easy to say that rain can ruin your Disney vacation, the rain actually offers a lot of different experiences that you won’t have when it’s dry. Take for example the Rainy Day Cavalcade. Or how beautiful Cinderella Castle looks in the evening after a Summer shower. Special moments like these keep the magic alive!

EPCOT Offers the Most When it Rains: It only has 1 outdoor attraction (Test Track), it features 2 indoor pavilions with a combined total of 6 attractions, and plenty of indoor restaurants and shops.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Offers the Least When it Rains: Most of its attractions and exhibits are outdoors and will close when the weather goes bad. Additionally, since everything is so spread out, getting caught in the rain is much more inconvenient.

Use the Doppler Radar on Your Weather App: Disney World is so big that it can be raining in one theme park but completely dry at another. Using the doppler radar helps you keep track of where the rain clouds are so you can plan accordingly!

Start Your Park Day Early: Since the summer showers tend to happen in the afternoon, tackling your favorite attractions in the morning is a great way ensure that your party accomplishes what they want to do.

Take an Afternoon Break: If you want to completely avoid the summer showers, taking an afternoon break at your hotel is a great strategy! After the rain passes, you can head back into the theme parks for the rest of the night.

So, with your newly-acquired knowledge, what attractions will you do when it rains?

Plan Your Walt Disney World Vacation

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