Welcome to planDisney, Jennifer!
Can you believe your Walt Disney World Resort vacation is just days away? I'm sure your family will have a wonderful time during
The World's Most Magical Celebration!
One thing I know about visiting Walt Disney World Resort in the summer months is you can count on it raining pretty much every day. It rained every day on my vacation a few weeks ago. And on my vacation last summer, and the year before that, and well, you get the idea! Daily rain showers are just a fact of life in Central Florida in the summer. But don't let it get you down! The good news is while afternoon downpours are pretty much a certainty, it usually doesn't rain all day, and there is still plenty of fun to be had! I have some tips for you based on my experience dealing with rain.
My family always plans to take a break from the parks in the afternoon, rain or shine. Especially in the summer, we get to the parks early to avoid the heat of midday, leave the parks to enjoy lunch and time relaxing (or napping!) in our resort hotel room, and then head back in the evening. We keep an eye on the skies and a weather app to time our break so we are already back at our resort to wait out the rain. Check out the activity schedule at your resort -- often there are crafts or other activities in the afternoon, and there are also indoor
arcades which were a huge hit with my kids when they were younger.
Come prepared with rain gear! The fun doesn't stop when the rain begins, so if you find yourself in the parks when the rain comes down, suit up and carry on. You'll find good quality rain ponchos for sale in many merchandise locations in both child and adult sizes, but I prefer to bring my own. I toss a few disposable emergency ponchos in my park bag if there's just a chance of rain, and heavy-duty ponchos when rain is more certain. Don't forget a rain cover or an extra poncho if you'll have a stroller with you to keep it dry. Umbrellas are permitted in the parks, so I keep a lightweight travel umbrella in my bag as well. A baseball cap under the hood of your poncho also helps keep the rain off your face. Consider your footwear choice -- no one wants to be wearing soggy socks and sneakers. I like to wear waterproof sport sandals, from brands such as Teva, Keen, Chaco, etc. I find them much less slippery in the rain than standard flip-flops. I bring zip-top bags to help keep my belongings dry, and a small microfiber towel.
While outdoor attractions will temporarily close if there is lightning in the area, many attractions and shows are fully indoors and will continue to operate. I plan to visit the outdoor attractions first thing in the morning or in the evening after the rain and do indoor shows and attractions during the afternoon downpours. Good choices for rain are indoor pavilions at
EPCOT, such as
The Seas with Nemo & Friends and The Land, where there are several attractions under one roof. Indoor shows such as Mickey's PhilharMagic, Carousel of Progress,
Festival of the Lion King, and The American Adventure are also good choices, as well as attractions with lengthy indoor queues such as Space Mountain and Avatar Flight of Passage.
Jennifer, I hope I have been able to put your mind at ease. The magic is there no matter the weather! If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to stop by planDisney again. We are always happy to help.
Anne Marie