Disney World in the Rain: My Top Tips for a Rainy Forecast

I get it…Disney World in the rain doesn’t necessarily sound all that great. But the reality is that there’s always a *chance* of rain at Disney World. 

So, let me just take a second to ease your worries before we jump into my best Disney World rain tips. Over the many, many years we’ve vacationed to Disney, we’ve come across our fair share of rainy days.

Heck, we’ve even been to Disney World during a hurricane! And we still had an ABSOLUTE BLAST. Not to mention…it sure makes for a good story.

While of course, you never really dream of a rainy day at Disney, I promise you that it can still be full of magic, smiles, and memories.

So, by the time you get to the end of this article, I not only want you to feel like you could handle a little (or even a lot of!) Disney World rain, but I also want you to know that you can still have a ton of fun, too. 

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Does Disney World stay open in the rain?

Yep, Disney World stays open in the rain! 

Fun fact: Disney World is open all 365 days of the year and has only closed about a dozen times since opening in 1971.

While most of those closures have been due to hurricanes, they’re far and few between. And when the Disney World theme parks do close due to weather, it’s usually only for a day or two. 

It’s good to note that even though the parks will likely remain open despite the rain, outdoor attractions will close and entertainment may be canceled if there’s severe weather or lightning in the area (I’ll get to all these details toward the end of this article!). 

Will special ticketed events at Disney World be canceled due to rain?

Piggybacking off the last answer, the special ticketed events will be good to go despite the rain!

All special ticketed events have a disclaimer stating that it will be held rain or shine. In fact, it POURED rain when we were at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party one year, but we were still able to enjoy the festivities. 

When is hurricane season at Disney World?

Hurricane season at Disney World is technically June through November, but you’ll have the highest chances of a hurricane joining you on your Walt Disney World vacation in August, September, and October. 

The good news is that since Disney World is located in the middle of Florida, hurricanes don’t affect the area nearly as bad as they would if it was located on the coast. 

Of course, Disney will close the parks if it becomes a safety issue for their guests, but odds are that the parks will remain open despite rain and gusty winds. 

Disney World Rain Tips

If the weather forecast for your Disney World vacation looks a bit wet, let’s go over my top tips to help you make the most of your rainy day in Disney.

Overpack a bit.

I’m all for not overpacking when heading to Disney…or on any vacation for that matter. 

But if you happen to see lots of rain in the forecast or you’re tracking a hurricane heading toward Florida, that’s a good time to think about bringing along some extra stuff.

Having some extra clothes, socks, and shoes will be important. The last thing you want to do is get stuck putting on wet shoes the next day. 

And I have to say…being able to change into some dry, cozy clothes back at the resort after getting poured on feels glorious!

Think about footwear.

This will be a very personal decision! Some people prefer to have sandals…others prefer tennis shoes. Some don’t mind if their tennis shoes get wet…others bring along shoes covers. But here’s what worked for me.

Disclaimer: I’m NOT a sandals-in-the-park kind of girl at all. I’m getting too old, and I love a good tennis shoe with some arch support. Ha!

But when we were there during a hurricane, I just knew that I’d be miserable in wet tennis shoes. So I tried a couple different types of sandals and found that Tevas were PERFECT for me. 

These sandals stayed on my feet well without feeling slippery, didn’t cause any blisters, and provided enough support. 

My boys preferred to wear their Crocs with socks since the Crocs rubbed on their feet a little bit. We just brought dry socks along with us for them to change into partway through the day. 

Don’t forget the rain gear.

Ok, I know this is an obvious one. But what’s a “Disney in the rain” tips section without the rain gear, right?!

Ponchos, rain jackets, umbrellas, stroller rain covers…you get the drift. 

My personal preference is to wear a poncho and forget about bringing a rain jacket or umbrella. Why?

Because ponchos don’t take up much space in my park bag, I can drape the poncho over my backpack to keep that dry as well, and they’re easy to store whenever we have to take them off on rides or in restaurants. 

Have a place to stash your rain gear.

You’ll be asked to take your ponchos off at certain attractions. And you won’t want to wear them in a restaurant. 

So I’ve found that the perfect solution is to bring a wet bag along. That allows us to quickly and easily shove our wet ponchos into the wet bag without getting our clothes or other belongings wet.

Plan a mid afternoon break.

Oftentimes, when there’s rain at Disney World, it’s a quick afternoon shower. Luckily, that’s the same time we like to take our break during the day, so we avoid the rain all together!

Even if you’re not relaxing back at the resort, though, if an afternoon shower pops up, it’s easy enough to take a break at a nearby restaurant or show until the storm passes. 

Be ok with pivoting if needed. 

I’m going to get into alllll the details on this below. But just know that, even though the parks will likely remain open, some of the rides may not. 

It’s always good to have a general idea of how you want your park day to go, but also be aware that your initial plan might not play out, and that’s ok!

Know the ins and outs of Lighting Lane Multi Pass if you purchased it.

While the fine print says that Lightning Lane Multi Pass is nonrefundable, Disney will allow refunds in certain cases. 

When we were there during a hurricane, Florida was under a State of Emergency. While I chose to keep my Lightning Lane Multi Pass, I personally know people who were refunded for theirs during that time due to the severity of the weather. 

But what if you’re like me and decide to keep your Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and a ride you booked closes?

In that case, you’ll be given a “Select Experiences” Lightning Lane, and you’ll be able immediately book another Lightning Lane. 

Plus, the “Select Experiences” Lightning Lane may be used at the ride you originally booked once it reopens OR it can be used at any attraction that’s listed as a part of the “Select Experiences” Lightning Lane. 

Be aware that Disney transportation might be affected.

This is a big one you need to know about!

The Skyliner won’t run in severe weather such as high winds or if there’s lightning in the area. And boats will pause operation if lightning is in the area. In the case that this happens, buses will be provided.

It’s good to note that if you’re staying at a Skyliner resort AND you’re visiting Epcot during a storm, you’ll definitely want to check in with a Cast Member to see if the Skyliner is running or not. 

If the Skyliner isn’t running, the bus will pick you up on the completely opposite side of the park than the Skyliner. So, before you walk through the whole park and back again, save yourself some steps by asking a Cast Member.

Don’t stress over the weather forecast *too* much.

Afternoon showers in Disney World during the warmer months are SUPER common. And they often don’t last long. 

So, when you see the weather forecast calling for rain on every. single. day. of your Disney vacation, just know that it may not be as bad as it seems.

Muster up your most positive attitude and roll with it.

Honestly, this is the best advice I can give. Your attitude about it all will make or break how much you enjoy your time at Walt Disney World in the rain. 

I’m a firm believer that a rainy day in Disney is better than a sunny day at work. So make the best of it! And have so much fun reminiscing about it down the road. 

Plus you wouldn’t believe how much fun my kids have had in the rain at Disney!

Things to Do at Disney World in the Rain

Even though it might not seem like there’s a lot to do at Disney World in the rain, you can definitely still make the most of it. Here are my top things to do if you find yourself with a rainy day in Disney:

Take advantage of the low crowds in the park.

This is my absolute favorite option. As long as you’re prepared for the rain with rain gear, go check out how quiet the theme parks are!

Attraction wait times drop drastically, and you’ll get to experience walking around the parks with low crowds, which is actually pretty magical. 

My boys also love splashing around in the puddles everywhere, which is like an attraction itself! Ha!

To top it off, the Cast Members make everything so much fun. I mean, they’ve been out there dancing in the rain with us!

Duck into a show or quick service restaurant.

If you brave the weather and head to the parks, but you still want some time away from the rain, it helps to be flexible. 

As the rain really picks up, we like to head to a show or a quick service restaurant to wait out the worst of it. 

Do some souvenir shopping.

Another option, if a storm pops up while you’re at the park, is to use that time to get some souvenir shopping done.  

Some of the souvenir shops are large, so you can easily spend a good amount of time there. 

Head over to Disney Springs for some indoor fun.

While there’s plenty of souvenir shopping at Disney Springs, that wouldn’t be my go to on a rainy day. It’s very spread out there, so you’d spend more time out in the rain than you might think. 

What I would do at Disney Springs if it’s raining is go see a movie, do some bowling at Splitsville, or even snag tickets to a Cirque du Soleil show.

Check out resort activities.

The Walt Disney World resorts always have something fun happening, and some of the resorts even have a community center where you can make crafts and play games. 

On the worst rainy days in Disney, you might get lucky and get to meet some characters in the lobby of your resort. 

When we were there during a hurricane, the nightly Boardwalk entertainment even came in the lobby, which was a fun surprise!

Go resort hopping.

Each Disney World resort is so unique, and it really is fun to hop around to different resorts to check out all the different vibes and fun things they offer. 

On a rainy day, the perfect way to resort hop would be to jump on the Monorail and take the loop around to each resort. Each Monorail stop is covered, so you wouldn’t even get wet!

If you’re not staying at one of the resorts on the Monorail line, you can access the Monorail by going to Magic Kingdom or the Transportation and Ticket Center. 

What to Pack + What to Wear to Disney World in the Rain

Ponchos/Rain Jacket/Umbrella 

You’ll want something to keep you at least somewhat dry.  As I stated earlier, I personally prefer bringing a poncho. 

I found that the best rain poncho for Disney is actually just a cheap, flimsy one! They’re small and easy to pack. So, when I’m done with it, I toss it and have a fresh one ready to go for the next time I need it.

If you forget to pack rain gear, the shops around the parks do sell Disney World rain ponchos, so no worries! You’ll just pay a higher price than purchasing them ahead of time.

You might be wondering: Are umbrellas allowed into Disney World theme parks? 

They sure are! So, if that’s what you prefer to have, you’re more than welcome to. 

But a word of warning:  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen an umbrella flip inside out (and hear the accompanying UGH!) due to the gusty winds that can come along with the storms.

Stroller Rain Cover

A stroller rain cover is a MUST if you’re heading to Disney World with little ones. 

To be honest, I pack up our stroller with one of these whether the forecast calls for rain or not…just to be safe!

Just don’t accidentally forget it in the room when you head to the parks. Otherwise, you may or may not spend your evening drying off the seat of the stroller with a hair dryer. Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything! Ha!

Sandals and/or Extra Shoes

While I haven’t been one to wear sandals at the theme parks in recent years, I’m a new believer in wearing sandals when at Disney in the rain! It was SO NICE not to have to worry about sloshing around in wet tennis shoes. 

I’ve tried a couple of sandal options, but I’ve personally found that Tevas are my go-to! They’re super comfortable for a full park day and aren’t slippery in the rain. My boys like to wear their Crocs.  

No matter which route you go, you’ll want to make sure you have a couple of pairs of shoes with you on your trip just to be on the safe side. 

Wet Bag

Having a wet bag in my park bag is a game changer when there’s a rainy forecast at Disney World. 

It’s an easy way to keep wet things separated from dry things. And it’s a quick way to stow away our wet ponchos when heading onto a ride or into a restaurant. 

Ziploc Bags

If there’s any small you want to make sure stays dry, Ziploc bags are a great thing to bring along. They take up about no room if you don’t need them, but if you do…you’ll be happy to have them!

Bonus: even if you don’t need them to keep things dry, sometimes they’re nice to have to stick snacks in!

Small Towel

Ok, ok…a small towel isn’t a necessity, but I will say it can come in handy. 

I’m a minimalist when it comes to packing my park bag, so I usually don’t bring one along. But I will say there have been times I wish I had one to wipe down a chair/bench or even my phone. 

Magic Kingdom in the Rain

Now that we’ve gone over all the basics, let’s end with some specifics about going to each Disney World theme park in the rain. 

Let’s review what might close AND all the indoor attractions you’ll be able to enjoy no matter what. That way, you have an idea of what you might be in for when planning your Disney vacation. 

First up, Magic Kingdom.

Magic Kingdom Attractions that May Close in Severe Weather or if Lightning is in the Area

• Astro Orbiter
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Jungle Cruise
• Mad Tea Party
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• The Barnstormer
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
• TRON Lightcycle/Run (although since this ride is well covered, there’s less of a chance of it needing to close)
• Walt Disney World Railroad

Indoor Magic Kingdom Attractions

• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Carousel of Progress
• Country Bear Jamboree
• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Enchanted Tiki Room
• Haunted Mansion
• It’s a Small World
• Meet Ariel at her Grotto
• Meet Disney Pals at Pete’s Silly Sideshow
• Meet Mickey at Town Square Theater
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Princess Fairytale Hall (Meet Cinderella, Tiana, and visiting princesses)
• Space Mountain
• The Hall of Presidents
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid

Indoor Quick Service Restaurants at Magic Kingdom

• Columbia Harbour House in Liberty Square
• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn in Frontierland
• Pinocchio Village Haus in Fantasyland

Magic Kingdom Parade and Nighttime Entertainment in the Rain

With light rain, you’ll get to experience something special at Magic Kingdom: the Rainy Day Cavalcade.  Since the normal parade does not operate in the rain, Disney World has put together a mini, rain-friendly parade to enjoy. 

While the Magic Kingdom fireworks may be canceled in severe weather, the show will go on in the rain. The only thing you’ll likely miss out on is seeing Tinker Bell fly through the sky. 

Epcot in the Rain

Epcot Attractions that May Close in Severe Weather or if Lightning is in the Area

• Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
• Test Track

Indoor Epcot Attractions

• Awesome Planet
• Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along
• Canada Far and Wide in Circle Vision 360
• Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
• 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 Beloved Disney Pals at Mickey & Friends
• Meet Figment and Joy Inside ImageWorks
• Mission: SPACE
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Soarin’
• Spaceship Earth
• The American Adventure
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends
• Turtle Talk with Crush
• Reflections of China

Beyond all the attractions that remain open, my absolute favorite thing about Epcot in the rain (especially when we’re at Disney with our kids) is all the amazing indoor play areas. 

There are several large, indoor play areas around the park that make a perfect spot to wait out the rain. Click here to check out a full list of those areas. 

Indoor Quick Service Restaurants at Epcot

• Connections Eatery in the front hub area of the park
• Katsura Grill in Japan (limited seating)
• La Cantina de San Angel in Mexico (has covered outdoor seating, but also offers indoor seating at La Hacienda de San Angel during lunch hours)
• Les Halles in France (limited seating)
• Lotus Blossom Cafe in China (has covered, open air seating)
• Regal Eagle Smokehouse in America
• Sunshine Seasons in The Land Pavilion

Epcot Nighttime Entertainment in the Rain

Just like at Magic Kingdom, the fireworks at Epcot will still carry on as long as the weather isn’t too severe. 

Hollywood Studios in the Rain

Hollywood Studios Attractions that May Close in Severe Weather or if Lightning is in the Area

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Slinky Dog Dash

Indoor Hollywood Studios Attractions

• Celebrity Spotlight Meet Olaf
• Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
• Edna Mode Experience
• For the First Time in Forever Frozen Sing-Along
• Meet Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams
• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
• Star Tours
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
• Tower of Terror
• Toy Story Mania!
• Vacation Fun Animated Short
• Walt Disney Presents

Indoor Quick Service Restaurants at Hollywood Studios

• ABC Commissary on Commissary Lane
• Backlot Express in Echo Lake
• Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo in Galaxy’s Edge
• PizzeRizzo on Grand Avenue

Hollywood Studios Nighttime Entertainment in the Rain

Of all the fireworks shows at Disney World, Fantasmic! is the most likely to be canceled due to rain. This is solely because the show includes live actors on a stage, which could become slick and unsafe in the rain. 

Animal Kingdom in the Rain

Animal Kingdom Attractions that May Close in Severe Weather or if Lightning is in the Area

• Expedition Everest 
• Feathered Friends in Flight
• Kali River Rapids
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Indoor Animal Kingdom Attractions

• Adventurers Outpost Meet Minnie and Mickey
• Avatar Flight of Passage
• DINOSAUR
• Festival of the Lion King
• Finding Nemo – The Big Blue and Beyond
• Na’Vi River Journey

Indoor Quick Service Restaurants at Animal Kingdom

• Flame Tree Barbeque in Discovery Island
• Pizzafari in Discovery Island
• Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand USA
• Satu’li Canteen in Pandora

Best Disney World Park in the Rain

Disney really does a good job of keeping as much running as possible during the rain, so no matter which park you’re at, there will be something to do. 

But if I had to choose one Disney World theme park to spend a rainy day, it would be Epcot! 

Even though Epcot is a pretty spread-out park, there is SO much to do indoors. In fact, there are only two attractions that would be affected if lightning were in the area. Everything else would be running as usual. 

My runner-up for “Best Disney World Park in the Rain” would be Magic Kingdom since there are quite a few family-friendly indoor rides that also have covered queues. Plus everything is pretty close together in that park, making it easy to escape the rain when needed.

Final Thoughts: Disney World in the Rain

Believe it or not, some of my favorite Disney World memories include a hurricane raining down on us.  

Splashing around on Main Street, U.S.A., in Magic Kingdom, listening to the boys laugh as the Adventureland totem poles sprayed them with water, finding a hidden Mickey in Toy Story Land in the puddles…ah, it makes me smile SO big just thinking about it all!

If you let yourself, you’ll always be able to find magic at Disney, rain or shine!

For more Disney tips, check out all of my Disney content on the blog. And subscribe to my newsletter to get exclusive Disney content straight to your inbox. 

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