When it rains it pours in Orlando, especially during the summer months, but the daily downpours should not deter you. Many people will exit the parks, leaving them a lot emptier for you to enjoy.Besides, leaving the parks is no fun during such mass exodus as it will be hard to get on the busses or the tram to the parking lot. Also keep in mind that boats will not run as long as there is lightning.
Rainy Days at Walt Disney World: use them to your advantage!
This is the moment to take out your rain poncho. I do not recommend umbrellas but I am a big fan of a pair of flip-flops. They are great for riding Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids and they come in handy during a rainstorm. A word about rain ponchos, resist buying the Mickey Mouse imprinted ponchos. Buy them at a dollar store before leaving home. Not only would you pay a premium price for Mickey raingear at the parks, but guess what, everybody else will be running around in the same identical outfit making it much more difficult to keep track of your family.
Some outdoor attractions such as Test Track and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed for safety reasons during a rainstorm. Go for the indoor attractions and shows, such as Festival of the Lion King and Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tower of Terror, The Hall of Presidents, O Canada, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, The Haunted Mansion, and Finding Nemo — The Musical, just to name a few. The rides will have a much shorter queue and the storms are rarely lingering.
You can rent a locker and store your raingear away or just keep it in your backpack. I always bring a few plastic bags to store the wet clothes and ponchos in. A plastic bag or shower cap protects my camera. If you are bringing a stroller an additional poncho to cover the stroller is recommended. Last but not least bring a few clothes pins to keep the poncho secure on the stroller, as the wind gusts will blow the cover off.
More tips for Rainy Days at Walt Disney World
Another fun activity is to explore other Walt Disney World Resorts. The Magic Kingdom is connected to the Contemporary Resort, The Polynesian Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort by monorail. Relax, have a drink and recharge your phone. Weather permitting, take the boat over to Wilderness Lodge and explore this turn-of-the-century national park lodge-inspired property. Check out our blog about Resort Hopping for more details.
There is plenty to do for the entire family. You could opt for shopping at Disney Springs, formerly Downtown Disney, go bowling at Splitsville, or enjoy the latest Disney flick at the AMC. For teens DisneyQuest is a fun option. If you are staying at a resort that offers a kids program this might be a good day to try it out while mom and dad enjoy a couple of hours at the spa. Last but not least, just relax at the hotel, play a board game, watch TV, and rest. Tomorrow will be another day at the parks.
Thinking about visiting Walt Disney World with kids? The 2016 edition of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids is jam-packed with useful tips, great advice, excellent discussion, and practical travel knowledge gleaned from years of Walt Disney World travel experience. It is one of the few guidebooks to Disney World that specifically addresses the needs of kids with, in some cases, research and input from kids.
