Rain at Walt Disney World: Tips for Staying Dry and Having a Magical Time

Last updated February 14, 2021 Florida is known for its sunny weather, but it also known for its rain storms.  Orlando receives an average of over 50” of rainfall each year. Wow! Disney fans can still have a great time at the parks when its rainy weather.  It will often rain for an hour or so and then clear up.

During our recent trip the forecast called for rain at Walt Disney World everyday. During our four days we never had rain for longer than twenty minutes. One morning we woke up to heavy showers, but they ended before we could even get into the parks. Long story short, don't be afraid of rain in Walt Disney World. Just be prepared with a plan and the right clothes.

Here are our tips for how to handle rain in Walt Disney World with important packing list items and tips for what to enjoy in each Walt Disney World theme park on rainy days.

What to Pack For a Rainy Walt Disney World Trip

As we outline in our Walt Disney World packing list, there are some key items you should bring to be prepared for the shifting weather of Central Florida. Even when rain is not forecast, there is a strong possibility of afternoon showers even during the summer months.

Here are my key recommended items to bring on a trip when you anticipate rain:

1. Make sure that you have two pairs of walking shoes that you would be comfortable wearing through the parks. I always recommend bringing multiple pairs of shoes in order to keep your feet comfortable, but it is even more important if your shoes are getting wet everyday. You want to be able to alternate.
2. Bring a poncho! We always bring a poncho with us into the parks on days when rain is forecast (or when we want to ride a water ride and don't want to remain soaked all day). You can purchase cheap ponchos on Amazon. I don't recommend carrying an umbrella with you because you already have enough in the backpack you're lugging with you through the parks.
3. Bring a cover for your stroller! If you have a stroller with your at Walt Disney World. Make sure to bring a plastic cover to put over your stroller for the rain.

With a poncho and the ability to change into dry shoes for the following day you will be able to make it through even the most intense Florida rain storm.

Also remember too that the Walt Disney World was built with Florida weather in mind so rain at Walt Disney World certainly won't ruin your day! Here are options for each park including which rides have to close in the rain with recommendations if you want to stay dry during the rain at Walt Disney World.

Most importantly, if you see rain forecast for Walt Disney World, you should be excited because the crowd levels in the theme parks could drop dramatically.

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Magic Kingdom

There are several attractions at Magic Kingdom that are indoors and there are also many line queues that are indoors as well.

These are all the indoor attractions you can head to if you experience rain at Walt Disney World:

• Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
• It's a Small World
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Peter Pan's Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean

These outdoor attractions may close when it rains and especially if there is any chance of lightning:

• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain
• Jungle Cruise
• Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
• Liberty Belle Riverboat
• Astro Orbiter
• Swiss Family Treehouse.

Rainy weather is a great opportunity to check out some of the shows offered, including Enchanted Tales with Belle, Philharmagic, The Tiki Room, The Carousel of Progress, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor or the Hall of Presidents. Main Street is another great option.  The shops are dry and many of the shops are connected.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom has indoor attractions as well to turn to when you experience rain at Walt Disney World:

•  DINOSAUR
• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Na’vi River Journey

Disney fans can also take the train to Conservation Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch where they can enjoy several indoor exhibits. The Kilimanjaro Safaris still run in the rain and are fun to do if it isn’t raining too hard.

There are also some great shows to see. The Festival of the Lion King is a fabulous show to watch and stay dry. This spectacular stage attraction is based on the 1994 Disney film, The Lion King. It’s Tough to be a Bug and Finding Nemo The Musical are two other fun shows to watch as guests escape the elements. Guests can also enjoy the Art of Disney Animation which has multiple exhibits.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios believe the “show must go on” even when there is rain at Walt Disney World.

Indoor attractions include:

• Aerosmith’s Rock ‘N Roller Coaster
• Star Tours
• Tower of Terror

These shows are typically canceled when it rains:

• Lights! Motors! Action!
• Fantasmic!

Guests looking for dry entertainment can enjoy MuppetVision 3D, Voyage of the Little Mermaid show, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, and Walt Disney Presents formerly, One Man’s Dream.

Epcot Theme Park

Disney’s Epcot also offers some great rainy-day activities.

Guests can enjoy entertainment such as Ellen’s Energy Adventure which is located in Future World East, within the Universe of Energy pavilion. This forty-five-minute presentation features a movie and a slow-cruising ride.

Future World in general is a great rainy-day spot. Virtually all of the attractions at Future World are indoors. Some other attractions to enjoy in Epcot include Soarin’, the Circle of Life, and Living with the Land in the Land Pavilion, along with the Seas with Nemo and Friends and the Gran Fiesta Tour featuring the Three Caballeros.

Other indoor shows include the World Showcase’ panoramic film. Guests can also find characters at the Character Connection between Club Cool and Innoventions.

Only Test Track at Epcot closes during the rain.

Restaurants

Every resort has a wide range of dining options, from quick service to character dining. Enjoying a long meal is a great way to escape the rain. Check out the following articles on where to eat at each resort.

• Dining Guide: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
• Dining Guide to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom: All You Need to Know
• Walt Disney World’s Epcot Dining Guide: All the Dining Information You Need
• Dining Guide: Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios

Disney Springs and Resort Hotels

Guests can also turn a rainy day into a shopping day. Disney Springs is a waterside promenade with lots of unique stores and great restaurants.  While it is an outdoor area, guests can duck indoors to shop and eat at their restaurants. Disney fans can browse over 100 shopping options and over 50 dining options.  Click HERE for a list of Disney Springs stores and restaurants.  There is also a bowling alley, Splitsville Luxury Lanes™, and AMC® Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theatres, which are both great rainy-day activities. Check out the article, Disney Springs: Ultimate Guide to Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment.

Rainy days are a great time to resort hop and check out the amazing Disney World hotel resorts.  Click HERE for a list of the Disney World resort hotels. The Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney's Contemporary Resort are monorail stops that are covered or indoor.  These hotels are all unique and offer shopping and dining options. Click HERE for a link of the monorail stops.

Ready to Plan Your Walt Disney World Vacation?

You can find all updated information on park hours and rules HERE on the official Disney World website. You can save a lot of money on your Disneyland or Disney World vacation by subscribing to our newsletter HERE.  Be sure to check out the information offered on other Disneyland and Disney World planning articles throughout the website.  Here are some of those articles:

• What to Do When it Rains at Disneyland? Use Our Disneyland Rain Guide!
• Disney Springs: Ultimate Guide to Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment
• Attraction Guide to Walt Disney World’s: Magic Kingdom
• Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios Attractions Guide
• Attraction Guide to Walt Disney World’s: Epcot