The magic doesn’t stop in Orlando for a little bit of rain! Although Florida is known as the Sunshine State, and more often than not, you can expect a sunny day, Orlando, Florida, is also known for pop-up showers.
If you have been waiting and anticipating a great vacation at Disney World, you may be worried that rain will ruin your plans. Fear not! Disney World is fully doable in the rain, and we’re here to help you out and ensure that you still have a magical day regardless of the weather!
This post is part of our series on planning a vacation to Disney & Orlando
Average Weather in Florida
Florida wasn’t named the Sunshine State for no reason. On most days when visiting Florida, particularly Orlando, you can expect to enjoy some sunshine and warm weather for at least a portion of the day.
The warmest months of the year and the days that, on average, have the most sunshine are the summer months, June-August, but they are also the months that typically have the highest amount of precipitation for the state.
You can also expect to see higher levels of rainfall and more days of inclement weather during Hurricane season in Florida, June 1st through November 30th, with the season’s peak being between August and October.
The average annual temperature in Florida is around the low 80s for the average high temperature, while the average low temperature is around the mid-60s.
How to be Prepared for Disney in the Rain
The best way to ensure that a little rain doesn’t ruin your trip is to prepare for whatever pops up! We will cover what to pack, how to keep dry during your visit, and what to do if you get caught in rainy weather.
What to Pack For Disney
Whether it is clothing, accessories, rain gear, or tools, having a solid packing list is essential when traveling to Disney World. Some can’t-miss rainy essentials include:
- Lightweight Jacket – We recommend something that can aid in warmth and keep you dry but light enough that you can fold it up into a bag or tie it around your waist when it is not needed.
- Rain gear – While umbrellas are typically a go-to when rain occurs in the everyday world, we have found that they are not the best option when you are visiting somewhere like Disney World. While they are allowed, umbrellas at Disney World can get in the way and cause traffic amongst other guests in the parks. Instead of an umbrella, we would recommend reaching for a rain poncho – see our favorite rain ponchos here.
- Durable shoes – Going for a durable shoe option is always a good idea when visiting an amusement park, but especially if you anticipate the possibility of rain. Wearing well-fitted, durable shoes is great in the event that you need to move quickly out of the rain and into dry areas.
- Extra Pair of Socks – We would have to say that one of the worst feelings you can experience is wet socks! Throwing an extra pair of socks in your park bag is easy. It doesn’t take up a lot of space, and you will be thanking yourself later if you end up with wet feet.
- If you are traveling with a stroller, don’t forget a waterproof stroller cover! This can be the quickest way to not only protect your child but throw in your valuable items too, to keep them dry through a rain shower.
What To Do If You Get Soaking Wet
So you’ve been caught in a downpour, and now you are soaking wet… what will you do now? Nothing is worse than walking around in wet clothes, particularly in an amusement park.
The nice thing is that if you are wet and it then becomes sunny and hot again (as it often does in Orlando), then the sunny weather will help to dry you up pretty quickly, but if you find that it is taking a little too long there are a few things to speed up the drying process so you can get to back to enjoyable and comfortable fun!
- Take Off Any Possible Layers: If you have been wearing any layers at Disney, such as a lightweight jacket, or perhaps you have a tank top underneath your t-shirt, we recommend taking off any possible layers and allowing them to dry off of your body.
- Utilize Hand Dryers: If the bathroom isn’t packed full, you may utilize hand dryers to help dry small clothing items such as hats, socks, and shoes. We recommend taking advantage of any way to get your clothing pieces dry as quickly as possible!
- Head Back to Your Hotel: If you’re really soaked, and you’re staying on Disney resort, you can always head back to your hotel and swap into some dry clothes before heading back out to the park for the day. Still time-consuming, yes, but better than the chorus of moans that can come with being uncomfortable and wet.
Rides and Attractions To Still Enjoy in the Rain
In almost every scenario, Disney Parks doesn’t close down any rides in the event of rain.
Fortunately, many of the rides and attractions at all four Disney World parks are either indoors or have a covered line queue, making it relatively easy to continue with your regular plans, even if it rains.
If you want to avoid the rain entirely, there are several rides and attractions that you can enjoy indoors at each of the parks. These include:
Magic Kingdom
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- The Hall of Presidents
- Haunted Mansion
- Space Mountain
- It’s A Small World
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Country Bear Jamboree
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor
Animal Kingdom
- Dinosaur
- Festival of the Lion King
- Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!
Hollywood Studios
- Voyage of The Little Mermaid
- Star Tours
- Muppet Vision 3D
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
EPCOT
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Turtle Talk with Crush
- The American Adventure
- Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
- Living with the Land
- Spaceship Earth
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Advanced Training Lab
- Bruce’s Shark World
- Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360
- Journey Into Imagination with Figment
- Mission: SPACE
- Test Track
Aside from these attractions, Epcot’s World Showcase offers various indoor pavilions representing countries from around the world. Many of these pavilions have shops, exhibits, galleries, and dining options that provide shelter from the rain.
Disney Springs
Despite being primarily an open-air entertainment complex, there are several indoor activities you can enjoy whilst sheltering from the rain at Disney Springs:
- Shopping! From the LEGO Store to the World of Disney (one of the biggest merch stores in WDW)
- Dining – perfect if you can time for a meal break; there are dining options in Disney Springs for all budgets.
- AMC Movies – catching the latest releases is the perfect rainy-day activity
- Splitsville luxury lanes – bowling, billiards, and dining. This one is a fun stop for all the family and is entirely indoors.
Of course, if it’s just a downpour of heavy rain that will soon pass, nipping into gift shops, timing a bathroom break, or dining stops can also provide you with some immediate shelter.
What Gets Closed in Extreme Conditions?
The areas of the Disney World Parks that are most affected by weather are the Disney World water parks; if the weather is extreme, these will likely be the first parks to close.
If it simply rains, it is not likely that Disney will close down or delay any attractions within the theme parks; however, if additional elements come into play, such as lightning, they may opt for temporary closures of rides and attractions to aid in the safety of guests and Cast members.
These rides typically include rides that are fully outdoors and that the weather could cause danger to the operation of the attraction. Additionally, if the weather is too extreme, Disney will opt to cancel outdoor parades and shows.
If you think rain will impact your trip, keeping the My Disney Experience App on hand is essential, as this will be the best way to receive immediate updates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rainy Days at Disney
Q: Does Disney offer refunds/rain checks if it rains?
A: No, because Disney does not shut down operations due to rain, they will not offer any refunds or rescheduling due to the rain.
Q: What happens if an attraction is closed due to the rain and I have reserved a Genie+ Lightning Lane?
A: If you have scheduled a lightning lane and the ride has since closed down due to bad weather, you will be able to choose another attraction to take the place of that reservation and still utilize your lightning lane.
Q: Will there still be fireworks in the rain?
A: The only fireworks show that can be affected by rain is Fantasmic! There are live actors during this fireworks show, and if the weather conditions are deemed dangerous for them to perform, they will cancel the show. Otherwise, all other fireworks shows will go on, although the weather may affect the visibility.
Q: Which park is best to visit on a rainy day?
A: We believe Epcot gives you the best chance to enjoy many attractions on a rainy day. There are many indoor attractions within the park, which is why we think it is your best option to stay dry and have a productive Disney day during a rainy visit.
Q: Does Disney World Allow Umbrellas?
A: There are no rules about umbrellas at Disney World. If you choose to use an umbrella, we recommend going for a small compact option such as Bodyguard Sun Umbrella UV Umbrellas. If you’re like us, we don’t love lugging around an umbrella and trying to make our way through crowds with one, so we prefer to opt for wearable rain gear such as a poncho or rain jacket.
Q: Does the Monorail shut down during extreme weather?
A: The Monorail will continue to operate in the rain but may be paused if there are more serious weather conditions, such as thunder and lightning, in the area.
Your visit to Disney World doesn’t have to be ruined by some rain. We hope that this guide has provided you with the tips and knowledge you need to keep swimming and not let a little rain ruin your visit.
Have you visited Disney on a rainy day? Feel free to share any additional tips or experiences you have with us and our other readers. We look forward to reading!
More Helpful Disney Planning Tips
If you are planning your first trip to Disney World, or any of the Orlando theme parks, you may find these guides helpful in your planning:
- The top rookie mistakes to avoid at Disney – save yourself a lot of pain, avoid making these mistakes (many of which we did!) on your first Disney World trip to Orlando
- Visiting Universal Studios in Florida too? Here are the best rides and attractions to visit in the rain.
- Get excited about your visit to Disney World! You’ll love watching these Disney movies before your trip and spotting places during your Disney trip!
- Our pick of the best Disney parks and rides for toddlers, as well as all the top attractions and things to do in Orlando if you are traveling with a toddler
- Older kids? We’ve got you there, too, with our favorite things to do in Orlando with Teens & Tweens and our guide to the best Disney parks and attractions for teens
- Are you packed and ready? From your day bag for Disney to the right type of footwear or what sort of stroller to take (Disney-size compliant, of course), we share the best products you’ll want to purchase ahead of your Orlando family vacation.
- Lines in Orlando are inevitable; here’s how to keep everyone entertained while queuing at Disney.
- Want a theme park break? These are the best non-theme park activities and day trips to enjoy from Orlando, or why not add on a break at the beach?
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