Hello Marci!
Thanks for stopping by planDisney and asking a great question! I like to plan my
Walt Disney World vacations down to small details, including preparing for any weather forecasted during my vacation.
Typically, there are thunderstorms in Walt Disney World, especially in certain seasons such as summertime, and sometimes they last an entire day. Some outside attractions may be temporarily paused during thunderstorms, but typically, the parks remain open with all of the indoor attractions and shows still functioning, according to my experience. There have only been a few occasions when the theme parks in Walt Disney World were closed to the public due to a hurricane coming through the Orlando area of Florida. I have found that sometimes rain scares away Guests, so sometimes a rainy day is one of the best times to experience lower park attendance. I always carry a travel-size umbrella in my backpack for myself, even on sunny days. I recommend having an umbrella and a rain poncho with you in the theme parks because Florida is known for its brief thunderstorms, especially in the summertime. I particularly like the smaller collapsible umbrellas that are windproof or offer wind resistance. If you are prepared for rain, then you still will have an awesome time on your Walt Disney World vacation!
I hope that your next Walt Disney World is incredible!
Marc L.