With Isaac dumping lots of rain on us this week, and with a past summer filled with plenty of rain, I wanted to take some time to share some rainy day tips.
Most importantly, if you don’t mind the rain, don’t stay away or let rain slow you down. Most guests will stay out of the Parks, or even leave them, if rain starts. Most Central FL rain storms will last only a short time and you’ll experience a less crowded Park. Some storms will last much longer (or all day), such as our Isaac storms, but you can still enjoy a great day.
Plan what to wear and bring. Make sure to have a poncho in the rain. When suspecting rain, ponchos are almost a must. If you prefer the inexpensive route, buy and pack some to bring along on your trip. If you want longevity, buy your ponchos at WDW. Ponchos bought here can be replaced for no cost at any time if they become damaged. So you’ll always have a replacement just a shop away. Ponchos will keep you drier than an umbrella and can be easily folded and put away where an umbrella can become unwieldy. And after the rain ends, a poncho can act as a barrier to keep your seat dry when an attraction’s or tram’s seats are wet. And bring a larger plastic bag, even a Disney shopping bag, to put all your wet things in to carry them more easily around. Or rent a locker to store your gear in during the day. Shorts and a loose shirt are best as they will be better protected under a poncho and will dry faster. For shoes; sandals and Crocs tend to be the better choices as they let the water in and out and dry quickly. Crocs with a more flexible sole and sports sandals (i.e.Tevas & Keens) are preferable to avoid slipping. If wearing socks, I suggest bringing at least one extra pair.
Plan to do some shopping. Take advantage of the rain time and enjoy some of the many shopping opportunities available indoors. From the many stores on Main Street USA to the many shops at the resort hotels to the stores on Hollywood and Sunset at DHS there are many places to do some indoor shopping and stay out of the rain.
Plan your dining time. Enjoy your dining time. Take an extra few minutes to enjoy your meal while staying dry. Take occasional snack or water breaks at indoor counter service locations. This will also give you time to cool off while you dry off. Take advantage of the rain to enjoy some of the many dining options available to you at the WDW resorts.
Attraction planning. Plan your rainy day around moving between indoor attractions as much as possible. You’ll stay drier and enjoy the fun indoors. Move from attraction to attraction through each of the Magic Kingdom lands or dash between the many indoor favourites at DHS. Enjoy Innoventions and the pavilions at Epcot. The Magic Kingdom is best for being able to move between indoor queues and attractions followed by Hollywood Studios. Epcot’s Future World is the next best option with World Showcase following. Animal Kingdom is a much harder Park to move through without being out in the rain as so much of DAK is outdoors for the best reasons. There are so many fun ways to stay indoors more and still have the Magic.
Downtown Disney. Lots of shopping and dining are available, but you also have the AMC Theater and DisneyQuest to enjoy. DQ is an excellent way to spend a rainy Disney day. If your ticket has the Water Park Fun & More Option, DisneyQuest is included. Or you can buy a Single Day DisneyQuest ticket. This is one fun place. If you love classic video games, this is for you. If you love the newest video games, this is for you. If you love pinball…you get the idea. And there are some excellent attractions here as well. Pirates of the Caribbean, Virtual Jungle Cruise, CyberSpace Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Astroblasters, Animation Academy, Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam, Ride the Comix and Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride will provide a day of Disney-level fun. And more coming soon to DTD with Splitsville on the horizon this fall; featuring bowling lanes, billiard tables, food and live entertainment.
With good planning and preparation you can enjoy rainy days at Disney with little disruption. So get out there in the rain and enjoy.
~Mark
Mark Vitek can be found on Google+, Facebook and on Twitter @DisFanMark. He also co-authors the Wishes And Pixie Dust Blog with his wife Jen.
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A rainy day at WDW is better than a sunny day at work!!
It sure is!