Hey There, Hi There, Ho There, Camille!
You're as welcome as can be here at planDisney. I think we all have visions of endless sunny skies when we're planning a visit to Walt Disney World Resort, but this is one time where expectation and reality don't always agree. Central Florida weather is notoriously prickly, especially in the afternoons during "thunderstorm season", which hits its peak from June through September. Don't worry, though –– a little rain doesn't have to stop you from having a great time. Here are a few things you can do to help the fun keep rolling when the rain, rain, rain comes down, down, down during your Walt Disney World vacation.
I think the most important thing you can do to successfully navigate the rain in Walt Disney World theme parks is to be prepared for unpredictable weather. When I pack my park bag, I always make sure to include disposable ponchos, a few sealable sandwich baggies, and, since there's
nothing worse than walking around in squishy shoes, a small pair of waterproof flip-flops. That way, I can swap out my sneakers, wrap up any electronics, and keep myself dry in the event of an unexpected downpour. Not only are theme items great for rain, but they can also be useful on water rides like
Splash Mountain or
Kali River Rapids, particularly for keeping your shoes dry during a long day in the parks. Typically, I also pack a small sweatshirt or long-sleeved tee. While you probably won't need it out in the Florida heat, the air conditioning can get pretty chilly if you head inside with wet hair or damp clothes. If you're packing for a whole crew and you don't want to carry all these things around all day,
daily locker rental is also available at all Walt Disney World theme parks and water parks.
Sometimes a rainy day in the parks can even work to your advantage –– it's not unusual to see crowds thin out as people head back to their cars and Resorts when the weather gets soggy. Just keep in mind that you'll need to be flexible with your plans. Outdoor rides may need to close due to inclement weather, so you might not be able to jump in line for a ride like
Test Track during a storm. However, if one of your must-ride attractions is closed, be sure to keep checking back as the weather clears, you might get lucky to join the queue as the ride reopens, which could reward you with a shorter-than-usual wait. Otherwise, use the rain to take advantage of some indoor activities that you might skip on a sunny day –– grab a snack, wander through some shops, or enjoy an indoor attraction like
Muppet*Vision 3D (my personal favorite on a rainy day). And if you happen to be at
Magic Kingdom Park when showers strike, be sure to keep an eye out for the Rainy Day Cavalcade. This adorable parade only happens when it rains, so you might be lucky enough to catch it during your visit.
Thanks for bringing your question to planDisney, Camille. I'm wishing you a pixie-dusted (and dry!) Walt Disney World Resort visit!
See Ya Real Soon,
Amy