Walt Disney World In The Rain: What Closes & How To Still Have Fun
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Disney World, Orlando experiences an average of 130 days rainfall, and the parks remain open throughout this time with only a few outdoor rides closing during downpours. Most rain in Florida is fleeting, but torrential. During the wettest months of June, July, and August, prepare for the daily mid-afternoon rains and stay in the parks. Don’t let a clear morning sky convince you to leave a poncho in the room during these months.
In this guide you’ll find out how to get the most out your time during downpours in the parks, and our tips and recommendations to dodge the rain.
Why You Shouldn’t Leave The Parks If It Rains?
Rain in Disney World doesn’t last long but it’s like walking into a giant power shower when it happens. Watching steam rise up off the pavement in the summer as streets disappear under the water is usual, but even with the downpours, water doesn’t hang around for long. And this is one reason why you shouldn’t automatically head for the park exit in a downpour, even though the rain might feel off-putting. Short-lived, heavy downpours are not the only reason to stay in the parks:
Disney World parks don’t close because of rain; thunder and lightning can briefly close some rides, but there is still a lot to do
There are undercover attractions in all Disney Parks
Queues get shorter because people leave, so you get on more rides faster in the rain than you do when its dry
Summer rain is predictable and often happens around 2pm in the afternoon; so consider booking late lunches around this time to avoid it
Bought a Lightning Lane Multi Pass and not been able to get the rides you want? As people often leave the park you can sometimes get more time slots for the harder to get attractions.
If it looks like the rain is going to linger all day, which is unusual in Florida, but more likely during hurricane season between 1st June and 30th November, head to EPCOT.
Is Disney World Still Fun In The Rain?
Yes, some of my best memories in Disney World are in the rain, even though it took my trainers 3 days to dry out. If you know it’s going to rain, head to the parks anyway. It’s Disney World and being in Disney World in the rain is better than being anywhere else in the rain! But importantly it doesn’t feel the same as it does when it rains here in the UK. Plus, you’ll see a different side of park life, while making the most of your tickets, and still enjoying the Disney Park attractions.
What Happens When It Rains at Disney World?
When it rains at Disney World the park stays open, some outdoor experiences close but there’s minimal impact on rides. It’s thunderstorms that have a bigger impact on rides. Most rain in Florida is fleeting, but torrential. The heat builds and by mid-afternoon there’s a downpour, especially during the wettest months of June, July, and August. One of these showers is therefore not a reason to abandon your plans, instead plan to take it in your stride.
Lightning and thunderstorms are a different matter. When lightning is in the area, Disney may temporarily close outdoor attractions and other exposed experiences for safety. Indoor rides, shows and attractions often carry on. A day showing rain does not necessarily mean hours of closed rides, whereas a thunderstorm can cause hours of closures. With that said, neither a thunderstorm or downpour are reason to leave the parks, they’ll just change your park touring in different ways.
Which Disney Park Is The Best Park In The Rain, (And The One To Avoid)?
The best Disney park in the rain is EPCOT in my opinion, but Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are close contenders and a lot depends on where you are when the rain falls. Animal Kingdom is the park to avoid if you check the forecast and rain is due.
Park | Rating during a downpour in the park | Why |
|---|---|---|
Magic Kingdom | 2nd best park if you’re in the park when it rains | Lots of indoor attractions clustered together, shorter distances between attractions during downpours. |
EPCOT | Best park to be in during a downpour | Pavilions offer more than one attraction under cover in one place |
Hollywood Studio | 3rd best park to be in during a downpour | Good range of covered attractions, good main shopping areas that connect |
Animal Kingdom | Worst park to be in during a downpour | Long uncovered walk between areas, fewer covered indoor attractions |
The Disney World Rain Strategy
There are different kinds of downpour in Florida, and just like it does on an outing at home, it changes whether you decide to stick it out, or change plans. I rarely leave the parks in any kind of rain because I enjoy the benefits and atmosphere of a Disney Park in the rain, but here is the strategy we use:
What Gets Cancelled If It Rains At Walt Disney World?
This varies by park to an extent, but in all four Disney Parks heavy rain, especially if accompanied with thunder and lightning will close:
If rain happens at night, the night-time shows are affected; if they go ahead you may find it is shorter and parts are missing.
Best Park For All Day Rain Or To Head To In A Downpour?
EPCOT’s the best choice for all day rain, whereas it’s best to avoid Animal Kingdom and save it for another day. Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios both have similar pros and cons.
Park | Ranking which park to go to in a downpour | Why |
|---|---|---|
Magic Kingdom | Third choice park | Great once you’re there, but the long journey into Magic Kingdom if driving in means you get wet. |
EPCOT | First choice park | Easy to get from car park and free transport into the park. Pavilions have more than one attraction inside, so you can spend longer in the dry before moving |
Hollywood Studio | Second choice park | Easy access from free transport and car park, but skyliner often closes in rain and will close in thunder and lightning. Can walk in shops up Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard to get to some rides. |
Animal Kingdom | Avoid | Longer walk into the main area from bus and car park that has no shelter. |
EPCOT is the best park in the rain, as you can hop from pavilion to pavilion where you will find multiple attractions in one place. But all day rain is unusual, so heading to EPCOT in the rain and planning to park hop is a good way to use the benefits of the Magic Ticket to make the most of your day no matter how long it rains for.
Best Type Of Indoor Attractions In The Rain
Any indoor attraction that is covered and has a covered queue-line is a good option in a downpour, including rides, shows, and character meet-and-greets. Shows are often the best option as the production lasts longer than a ride, and they don’t close in a thunder storm.
Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios have a range of indoor shows and rides to choose from depending on where you are when it rain. EPCOT pavilions are another great option, and they don’t close in a thunder storm.
How I Avoid Buying Rainy Day Gear At Disney
If you don’t have rain gear with you, Disney sell ponchos, flip-flops, and lots of other items to help you carry on with your day. Ponchos are expensive in comparison to off-site alternatives or bringing a poncho from the UK, but Disney will replace them if you rip them so they last. However having rainy day gear with you means you’re prepared and will save spending money on ponchos. It’s not just a few pennies either, ponchos in the parks will set you back around £11.25 ($15.00), meanwhile a poncho from Tesco in the UK will cost you just £1.49, and it’s possible to pick them up for less than that.
Buying a few rainy day essentials at home in the UK before heading to Disney World and putting them in your park bag will help you to be prepared. Wearing light-weight clothes that easily dry-out if you expect rain will also help you to stay comfortable and be able to stay in the parks longer.
What Else To Do In Disney World Resort When It Rains
Staying on-site at Disney World but heading out of the parks can be a better experience if it looks like the rain is going to last a while, or you’ve not got rain gear with you. Using the free bus transport to head to:
a last-minute resort or theme park based dining reservation
Disney Springs for shopping, a trip to the cinema, bowling at Splitsville or an experience at Level-99 are just a few of the options available on-site
Why Heading Off-Site Can Be A Better Option
Off-site options can keep you entertained for longer, have more to do, and can be completely undercover offering shelter from the rain Even without a car, getting an Uber or Lyft to an off-site location can give you a better experience if there’s a wet afternoon. Consider:
Mall at Millenia
Vineland Outlets
Walmart / Target trip
Dezerland Park for any car fans or some indoor go-carting
Wonder works great if you have kids and want some hands-on edu-tainment
Rain is one of those times where a hire car can be really beneficial at Disney World because you have the flexibility to decide to jump in the car and head somewhere else, such as the outlets or a fully under cover mall. Granted getting to the car can you get you thoroughly soaked depending on which park you’re in: Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are the worst for this in my experience. But you can also keep dry clothes in the car, so if you get caught in a downpour at the parks you can change into dry clothes and head somewhere else with ease. Having a wet bag is really useful to pop the wet clothes in, but equally a Walmart carrier bag will do the job to save you getting a damp patch on the carpet in the boot.
Don’t let rain change your plans
Conquering the rain in Disney World is easy when you know how. Don’t view the rain as a barrier to your experiences, see it as a way to have a different kind of Disney experience and make a unique memory. Remember, rain doesn’t stop the fun in Disney World.
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Do you get a refund if it rains at Disney?
No, you do not get a refund on your ticket if it rains during the day at Walt Disney World. In the event of a hurricane you may get days added to your ticket as they have done in previous years when the parks have been forced to close because of hurricane warnings. Heavy rain will not get you a refund.
Do rides stop in Disney World in the rain?
Some outdoor rides stop in heavy rain, but it’s thunder and lightning in the area that closes more rides.
