Despite its nickname as the “Sunshine State,” Florida has its share of icky, rainy days. This can cause some less than magical Disney World Weather.
In fact, Orlando averages about 53 inches a year of rainfall. Nearly every spring and summer day has some sort of afternoon downpour. So, it’s very possible that you may find yourself facing at least one day of rain on what is supposed to be your magical vacation. How do you deal?
Fortunately, you can still have a magical time at Disney World in the rain, but I will admit…most of it is going to depend on you and whether or not you are going to allow rain to put a damper on your day.
Josiah and I enjoy a trip on the Jungle Cruise during a Florida rain.
I’m gonna let you in on a little secret. If you plan on visiting Florida anytime between the months of…oh…March and September, odds are you will see some percentage of rain on your forecast. Don’t panic. Â
We find ourselves at Disney in the rain frequently, and my most recent date day with Josiah at the Magic Kingdom prompted this post.
Here are some of the best ways to manage the fluctuating Disney weather forecasts and still have a great vacation!
Pack a Poncho and Umbrella
I wouldn’t necessarily pack a full on-parka or your heavy raincoats. Most days, I don’t even worry about the poncho or umbrella. This is because the majority of afternoon storms in the summer are over and done within 20 minutes.
Florida weather is just a bit weird sometimes. You can easily grab a spot in a shop and wait that out( I briefly mention this in my post regarding my 5 must-have items for a stress-free Disney Day).
However, if you know you may have a chance of rain for hours on end, definitely grab a small poncho and portable umbrella for your bag.
You can purchase cheap ponchos from the dollar store, but admittedly, they may not do much good in a heavy rain. Something is better than nothing, though, when the Disney weather takes a turn for the worst. Vinyl ponchos are more durable and can be used more than once. You can even get cute Mickey and Minnie ones on Amazon, for a fraction of what they cost at the parks.
Download a Weather App
Make sure your phone has a reliable weather app. This will help you determine whether or not the rain will be quickly passing or hanging around for the whole day. I also suggest checking your forecast up to 10 days in advance so you can plan accordingly. However, just be aware that Florida weather can be very unpredictable and still change quickly. I use MyRadar. It’s free and has always seemed to be very reliable for me.
The MyRadar app is a free app that I have found to be the most reliable when planning around the unpredictable weather at Walt Disney World. Click here to find out more and download the MyRadar Weather app.
Stick with the Magic Kingdom or Epcot
To be fair, there are places to escape the rain at all of the parks. But, you will have a bit of an easier time at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. Both parks have A TON of indoor activities and attractions. At Epcot, hang around Future World and play at Innoventions. If you can dodge raindrops through the World Showcase, my FAVORITE rainy day spot is the marketplace in Morroco. A little rain and the scents in that land will just make you feel like you are across the ocean. Plus, you can use the opportunity to check out some spots you may otherwise miss, like the Gallery of Arts and History.
The Art of Personal Adornment and other indoor pavilions around the World Showcase at Epcot are fantastic spots to escape the rain!
The Magic Kingdom has a significant number of covered ride queues. Plus, you can actually move down Main Street through the Emporium while remaining completely inside.
The Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios have some reprieves. However, to get from Point A to Point B, you will end up spending more time outside.
If you do find yourself at the Animal Kingdom, enjoy rides like Dinosaur and shows like the Festival of the Lion King.
At Hollywood Studios, take advantage of the Star Wars Launch Bay and stroll through Walt Disney Presents, a Gallery tour honoring Walt Disney himself and the incredible history of Disney. Younger kids can enjoy the Disney Junior show in Animation Courtyard.
Consider Renting a Locker
This isn’t necessarily something I generally suggest spending money on, but if you know a day is going to be extra rainy, it may be worth it.
Large lockers are $9/day plus a key deposit (which you get back). Small lockers are $7. This gives you access throughout the day. These are the only locker options available at Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom.
However, if you head to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, you can rent a single-use locker for just $1. Stash an extra set of dry clothes in it and grab it on your way out. You can change in a nearby restroom and at least be dry on the bus or car ride to your next destination.
Click here to find out more about locker rentals Â
I don’t generally recommend the Tomorrowland Speedway in the rain. But, Josiah insisted and we still had a blast!
Select Your Footwear Wisely
If you know the weather may be an issue, definitely consider what is on your feet. You will either want a solid pair of sneakers and moisture-wicking socks, or a pair of flip-flops or sandals. I recommend the kind made of vinyl or rubber. I have made the mistake of being at Disney, in the rain, in ballet flats. Don’t be like me. You are just asking for blisters and a significant amount of squishy discomfort.
My husband wears his Puma sneakers daily and every time we go to the park.
I swear by my Vionic, Crocs or Teva sandals. However, if you wear flip flops, make sure they have some tread on them since the rain makes the park pavement slippery. I just personally dislike sneakers and only wear them when I have to. So, I opt for the flip flops regardless of the weather ( hence the name of this blog).
Crocs are great because they dry quickly and water doesn’t seep into the material. Your feet may get wet, but they are so breathable. (Check out the Crocs that I own here) If you do go with Crocs, I have noticed you will need to slowly break them in before you wear them for a significant amount of time. My Tevas have lasted for YEARS and have hundreds of Disney park miles on them. The Crocs and Vionics are not far behind.
For more recommendations, check out my post on the best sandals to wear to Walt Disney World
Resort Hop
Touring around the resorts is a great way to spend a rainy day…plus you don’t waste a ticket! You can take the monorail and loop around the Polynesian, Grand Floridian and Contemporary resorts without even getting wet. While visiting each spot, enjoy some tasty snacks, wander the gift shops and enjoy the various unique resort entertainment ( like the incredible brass band at the Grand Floridian).
Resort Hopping is a great way to stay dry, explore new shops and restaurants and get caught up on your souvenir shopping!
Explore Disney Springs
Disney Springs is a great way to spend a rainy or cold Disney day. It doesn’t require a park ticket and there is a large variety of stores and restaurants to explore.
The World of Disney at Disney Springs is the largest Disney Store in the world.
If you don’t feel like walking from shop to shop, you also have the option to catch a movie at the AMC Dine-In Theater or challenge your friends and family to a bowling competition at Splitsville.
Finally, Don’t Let It Ruin Your Day
Mindset really is everything.
If you say you are going to let the rain ruin your day, and complain about being wet and miserable…you will have terrible Disney memories.
If you find yourself in the park when the raindrops fall, just find cover, open an umbrella, put on a parka and splash through it. Trust me. You can still make some fun and amazing memories ( and may experience fewer lines).
Update: I was recently with Jessie at The Magic Kingdom during an afternoon drizzle. She knew the drill, opened the umbrella and didn’t let the rain put a damper on her day.
Plus, if you hang out long enough, Disney may even reward you with some special extras that not all guests get to see. Like the Rainy Day Cavalcade, which entertains Magic Kingdom guests when the regular parade can’t run due to weather.
The Rainy Day Cavalcade is a fun treat that parades down Main Street U.S.AÂ sometimes on rainy days. It features rare characters and makes splashing through the park completely worth it.
How do you spend a rainy day at Disney? Let me know in the comments!
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Steve
Despite the rain, it looks like y’all had a great time! Making me want to plan a trip back to Disney 🙂
flipflopweekend
We did have a great day! It’s important to make the best out of whatever the day throws at you. We made a lot of very good memories 🙂
Tiffany
Such great tips!! We went to Sea World for my son’s second birthday and it rained the whole day. Definitely using some of these ideas for the next stormy trip!!
erin
You know, I can’t remember ever actually seeing the rainy day parade? We are usually hiding lol
flipflopweekend
Lol. I hear you! It was completely accidental that we saw it. We were grabbing a snack in the confectionary on our way out of the park when we heard the announcement and music. It was such a treat!
Vince
Great tips, especially the vinyl ponchos! Those are the most effective for staying dry.
Leah
We always pack ponchos!! During our visit in August they were so helpful and we even used them to stay dry on wet rides! I also bring a roll of paper towels to put in wet sneakers to dry. It helps absorb the water quickly!
flipflopweekend
The paper towels are brilliant! Thanks for sharing that tip!
Joleen Pete
Great tips for managing the parks in “surprise” weather. We had a blast even in the rain 🙂