What To Do At Disney World When it Rains

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You’re all set. You’ve made your way to Orlando, checked in to your hotel, and have gotten a great night of sleep. You jump out of bed, 1000% ready to start your fabulous Walt Disney World vacation… and that’s when it happens. You look outside only to discover that rain is coming down hard with no end in sight. Will Mother Nature’s whims dash all of your hard work and planning? Is your dream vacation ruined? Do you worry what to do at Disney World when it rains?

Fortunately, you don’t have to worry! The magic goes on rain or shine at Walt Disney World, so long as you know where to look. Before we delve into the treasure trove that Disney has to offer in less than ideal weather, however, there are two rules that should always be followed to ensure everyone in your party has a magical experience:

Be Safe

Florida weather has a habit of changing frequently. If rain or wind appears to be getting stronger or thunder is heard in the distance, please seek shelter immediately. Likewise, if visiting during hurricane season, please make sure to check weather forecasts prior to heading out. In either case, the fun can wait until any danger has passed.

Be Prepared

Whether or not rain is in the forecast, it’s always a good idea to pack rain gear for you and your party ahead of time. If you’ve left your rain jacket at home, most Disney shops on property stock umbrellas and ponchos, either of which doubles as unique souvenirs from your trip! If price is a consideration, cheaper alternatives are available just off-property, and there are plenty of creative Disney-themed ponchos available online as well (like this one from Amazon), should you want to personalize your rain gear in advance.

Additionally, be sure you have the My Disney Experience app downloaded to your phone. This way you can avoid having to deal with any soggy paper maps, as both contain the same information.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive in and learn what to do at Disney World when it rains.

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Here is What To Do At Disney World When It Rains

So, you’ve decided to brave the rain and head for the parks. Well done! Rainy days generally mean shorter wait times, as not everyone is as bold as you are. That being said, please keep in mind that not everything may open in this type of weather.

Outdoor roller coasters, such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Expedition Everest, will stop running if there’s a particularly hard rain, and parades and nighttime spectaculars are known to be canceled or altered in the event of inclement weather. If you’re willing to deal with these inconveniences, the rewards are well worth it.

So, what is there to do in Disney World when it rains? Let’s take a look at what adventures await you.

There are two main strategies to rainy parks that we’ll discuss below. For those with an adventurous streak and a love of unique experiences, the WET AND WILD strategy is just what you’re looking for. And yes, if you want to put this strategy into practice, you will get wet – and enjoy it!

For those who want to enjoy everything, Walt Disney World has to offer without your excursions, check out the HIGH AND DRY tips we’ve laid out below. This latter strategy is highly recommended for families and those with little ones. Please note that the strategies below can be tailored to rainy mornings, afternoons, or entire days.

A Disney Travel Planner can give you more advice and guidance about how to manage the parks in bad weather. To learn more, read Disney Travel Planners.

What to do at Disney World when it rains: Magic Kingdom

The 1971 original is perhaps the most rain-friendly of the four theme parks due to its large number of dark rides and other indoor attractions. Classics such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Peter Pan’s Flight will run in any weather, and it’s entirely possible to pick and choose the attractions you want here with wait times far below the norm. (Take note: these lower wait times also apply to character greetings and experiences!)

While it’s hard to have a bad day at the Magic Kingdom no matter what you do, it is still a good idea to plan your visit ahead of time to maximize the fun. Never fear – we’re here to help!

WET AND WILD

Wet and Wild folk who prefer to get their feet (and the rest of themselves!) wet will be happy to know there are plenty of opportunities here for excitement, most of which are located on the western side of the park. Splash Mountain in particular is a highlight, winding its way through dry show scenes and soaked outdoor sections. With rain flying in your face, the final drop is all the more thrilling. While the ride doesn’t always soak all of its riders, this is one time that everyone will emerge wet and smiling.

Other attractions also have an added level of thrill here, including coasters Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. While the rides aren’t necessarily any different in this weather, they feel more intense and are definitely worth experiencing.

Though the ride vehicles are covered, the world-famous Jungle Cruise is also a brand-new adventure in the rain. The animatronic animals seem even more life-like, and a new joke or two might make it into your skipper’s spiel!

Heading back to the center of the park, there’s a parade that is a must for anyone who loves Disney characters: the Rainy-Day Character Cavalcade. Don’t expect to see any massive parade floats here, as these aren’t safe to run in the rain. Instead, you’ll find smaller cars and floats carrying a huge assortment of classic Disney characters, some hard to find anywhere else! This parade runs at standard parade times throughout the day, so keep an eye out while you’re traveling between adventures.

HIGH AND DRY

Those who prefer to remain High and Dry still have plenty to do in the Magic Kingdom. While walking outside is an unfortunate necessity to get to characters, rides, and other attractions, the park layout ensures that once you’ve reached your destination, you don’t have to go too far to get to the next attraction. Two lands that are particularly great for staying dry while experience tons of attractions are Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

Tomorrowland attractions such as Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, and the Peoplemover are all within a few hundred feet of each other and provide totally different (and dry!) adventures. While Space Mountain, and the Carousel of Progress are ever so slightly farther away, they offer even more great experiences within spitting distance of the first few.

Fantasyland finds itself with a similar layout that is incredibly conducive to dry adventures. The eastern side of the land features classics like The Mad Tea Party (better known as the “teacups”) and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh dark ride. The castle courtyard offers a ride, a show, and a princess meet and greets all clustered together, and the western side of the land includes Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Peter Pan’s Flight, It’s a small world, and just outside Fantasyland, the Haunted Mansion.

Character Greetings

With generally shorter wait times, rainy days are an excellent time to meet popular characters such as the princesses—their wait times often reach upwards of two hours. Likewise, Peter Pan’s Flight can have one of the longest rides in the park. It is well worth doing if the wait is half an hour or less. Also keep in mind that the queues for all of these attractions are either indoors or under cover from the rain, and all of these experiences should be dry from start to finish.

No matter what strategy you take, a rainy day at Magic Kingdom is sure to have something to please most everyone. One last tip – don’t forget to meet Mickey at the Town Square Theater on the way out! It’s a magical experience and a great way to end a day at the park before heading on to your next adventure.

If you see the weather report calls for rain, try to get a reservation for a character dining restaurant like Crystal Palace. There may be last-minute cancellations by those who do not want to brave the rain. Then you can enjoy time inside, have a great meal, and get to see characters too.

What to do at Disney World when it rains: Epcot

Following Magic Kingdom, Epcot is the second-best park for rainy day family excursions. While the park is massive, many offerings can be found close together in a few different pavilions that are located in close proximity to each other. Most attractions are indoors here, and it’s very easy to make the park an all day experience, should you wish to do so.

WET AND WILD

Unfortunately for Wet and Wild adventure seekers, there aren’t too many attractions at Epcot that are vastly different in the rain. Your best bet is to head to Future World West for Test Track, though be advised that if the rain is too strong the ride may close temporarily. Mission: SPACE next door is a nice consolation prize. The ride offers two different intensities if G-Forces are an issue for anyone in your party. And if you are looking for a real wild ride, head to the nearby Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmis Rewind.

The best ways to enjoy the rain at Epcot, however, are located in the World Showcase. Here you can take in the beautiful, multicultural facades, and even explore a few. The streets of Morocco are easy to get lost in, and a soft rain will make the architecture feel all the more mysterious. Nearby, the Japan pavilion features some small tea gardens that are incredibly peaceful, especially with the rain to block out other ambient noise. If you’re looking to really get lost in the various pavilions, rainy days are a great time to do so.

HIGH AND DRY

For High and Dry guests, Epcot is truly a wonderland. Only minutes after entering the park, you can reach your first indoor attraction – Spaceship Earth. From here, head to Future World East to enjoy three different pavilions with six different attractions. The Land, The Living Seas, and the Imagination Pavilion are all clustered together and feature a variety of experiences for every age. From exploring the Seas with Nemo and viewing sea creatures up close, to experiencing the majesty of Soarin’ Around the World, learning about agriculture, or going on a journey through imagination with Figment, there’s something for everyone here.

For those who love characters, a meet and greet area is also located nearby. Future World East can easily take up a morning by itself, and if you end up getting hungry note that there are several restaurants inside The Land and Living Seas pavilions.

World Showcase

If the rain keeps up into the afternoon, heading over to the Mexico Pavilion on the western end of World Showcase should do the trick. The entire pavilion is indoors and features dining, shopping, a small exhibit, plus the Gran Fiesta Tour boat ride featuring the Three Caballeros. It’s really worth taking the opportunity to soak this pavilion in, with its beautiful false exteriors and gorgeous Latin architecture.

The majority of the World Showcase restaurants are also indoors, and rain is a great opportunity to find something to your taste. Germany’s Biergarten is a favorite. Between meals, definitely check out the American Adventure, a stirring and lengthy (35 minute) animatronic showcase of the nation’s history, as well as the pavilion films located in China, France, and Canada. Though you might pass them by on a sunny day, rest assured they are well worth your time.

For all parties, Frozen Ever After (located in the Norway Pavilion) is an option, though the ride often has long wait times rain or shine. Given the relatively short ride time and the likelihood of having to wait in its outside queue, this one is better saved for a day with clear skies.

You can spend hours inside exploring the aquariums at The Living Seas. At The Land Pavillion, you can sign up for a Behind the Seeds walking tour where you can get a behind the scenes look at the greenhouses and learn more about agriculture. You can book the tour in advance by calling 407-WDW-TOUR, however, you may be able to get a same-day tour.

What to do at Disney World when it rains: Hollywood Studios

With the openings of Toy Story Land, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, it’s safe to say that Hollywood Studios has undergone some massive changes. These fantastic new additions round out the park, and give guests plenty to do come rain or shine. Note that nearly all attractions at Hollywood Studios are either indoors or covered, making it great for family visits on rainy days.

The largest and flashiest addition to Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is truly out of this world. Not only does this section of the park offer a degree of interactivity previously unheard of, it also provides a number of great activities for rainy days. Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance are both immersive experiences that take place almost entirely indoors.

While you would think that would make these rides great for rainy days, this is not necessarily the case. The issue is not with the rides themselves but with the open layout of Galaxy’s Edge. These rides are fairly spaced out from one another, and with the land itself being located at the very back of the park, it’s almost impossible to navigate the area without getting more than a little wet.

Warnings aside, those who find themselves gravitating toward the land will not be disappointed, particularly if you’re in the Wet and Wild crowd. In addition to the land’s stunning attractions (both of which are absolute highlights of the park), Galaxy’s Edge offers several indoor experiences to wait out the rain, including Oga’s Cantina, Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, Docking Bay 7 (a quick service restaurant) and the Droid Depot.

Those brave enough to venture into the open can visit a number of additional shopping and snacking locations, as well as say they’ve survived rain on another planet. Not bad for a day’s work!

WET AND WILD

Wet and Wild-ers more interested in a proper “Disney” experience should start their day by heading to Toy Story Land for a spin on Slinky Dog Dash (you can do this later but heading there early will help you beat the crowds). This outdoor launch coaster is a thrill in any weather, and rain is no exception.

To dry off, head down Sunset Boulevard to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, an indoor roller coaster that is one of the wildest the parks have to offer. Once you’ve rocked and rolled to your heart’s content, head next door to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror for an extra thrilling experience. When it’s raining, the already spooky ride feels even more ominous, making the ride an absolute must-do in any sort of gloomy weather.

HIGH AND DRY

As noted above, almost all Hollywood Studios attractions are indoors, making this an excellent park for High and Dry folk. Even better, the park is relatively small and easy to traverse so you can do virtually everything you like without getting too wet. To beat the lines, head first to Toy Story Land to play some virtual games on Toy Story Mania! This ride generally has a long wait time, and considering the morning offers short lines and a great chance to experience the ride’s wonderful indoor queue, this one is a no-brainer. The recently opened Alien Swirling Saucers are located near the exit of Toy Story Mania! and are worth a spin as well.

On the other side of the park, Star Tours is a great way to get your Star Wars fix without having to deal with heavy crowds. Because it goes through a random mix of all nine films, the ride still manages to offer a Star Wars experience distinct from that offered in Galaxy’s Edge. Once you’ve had your fill, head to one of Hollywood Studios’ newest offerings: Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, located in the Chinese Theater. Having just opened in early 2020, the ride uses the same trackless ride system as Rise of the Resistance, albeit in a more family-friendly setting. The dark ride will take you on a cartoony adventure through the world of Mickey and friends and features great gags and state-of-the-art special effects.

Before leaving Hollywood Studios, it’s worth noting that there are many shows that can help you wait out the rain, and they are spread nicely throughout the park. Characters from The Muppets, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Disney Junior can keep you entertained for hours, and such shows can be added onto either of these rainy-day strategies.

Still not sure what to do at Disney World when it rains? Rainy days are a great time to get into one of Hollywood Studios’ unique dining experiences. Restaurants such as Sci-Fi Drive-In, 50s Prime Time Cafe, and the more upscale Brown Derby are often fully booked, and cancellations due to rain may allow you to sneak in. If you get the chance, take it!

WET AND WILD MUST-DO’s

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Slinky Dog Dash
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

HIGH AND DRY MUST-DO’s

Mickey’s Runaway Railway
Toy Story Mania!
Amazing Restaurant Experiences

5 Great Ways to Stay Sry in Hollywood Studios:

For the First Time In Forever: A “Frozen Sing-Along Celebration”
Beauty and The Beast Live On Stage
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Disney Junior Live on Stage
Muppetvision 3D

Each attraction is inside or undercover shows and each is over 25-minutes long.

Plus, Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream is a multimedia gallery exhibit and film where you can learn more about Walt Disney himself and see several artifacts as well as park plans as they were being developed.

What to do at Disney World when it rains: Animal Kingdom

A friendly warning to anyone planning to go to Animal Kingdom for your rainy-day adventure – you will get wet! This rather wild park has the least indoor attractions of the four and has long walking times between all but a few of its experiences. For those wanting to remain High and Dry, we strongly advise heading to a different park. That being said, there are still some amazing experiences to be had here.

WET AND WILD

Wet and Wild thrill-seekers rejoice! There are several experiences in the Animal Kingdom enhanced by rain, and most of them are toward the back of the park in the Asia and Africa areas.

Asia is slightly closer to the entrance and contains two exhilarating attractions in the form of Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids. Like its cousin Big Thunder Mountain, Expedition Everest has plenty of thrills that are multiplied by the elements, and you’re sure to scream with delight as you head down the mountain backwards and forwards in the rain. Kali River Rapids allows you the pleasure of seeing lush scenery and plunging down thrilling drops with the rain making it feel as though your raft is half-sunk into the river.

Before you leave Asia, you can also head down the trails of the Maharajah Jungle Trek. The trails should be mostly deserted and quite peaceful, and the animals should be more active in the cool weather, making for a uniquely calm and reflective experience that you often can’t find in the parks. For active animals with a larger dose of adventure, head over to Africa and Kilimanjaro Safaris. You’ll be able to ride right through animal habitats in a covered truck and likely get to see much more movement and activity than you would on a sunny afternoon.

HIGH AND DRY

Should you wish to remain High and Dry in Animal Kingdom, your best chance of success lies to the western side of the park. Here you can experience Pandora – The World of Avatar, complete with two indoor rides and queues (though due to the popularity of the land, don’t expect crowds to dip too much here). This land is close to the entrance and will attract larger crowds as the day goes on, so get here early if at all possible. Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey are both state-of-the-art indoor attractions and are located within a few hundred feet of each other.

After you’ve had your fill of alien adventure, head towards Africa and the Festival of the Lion King show (remember to check showtimes on the app or in your guide). This show is incredible, featuring daring acrobatics and larger than life puppets of beloved characters from the film. The theater is also entirely indoors, with the show being long enough that the rain may actually clear while you watch. The show is a highlight of Animal Kingdom and is not to be missed.

For those willing to brave just a bit more rain, head on back to Kilimanjaro Safaris to enjoy animals splashing in the rain. You shouldn’t get too wet here, as the truck and the queue are both completely covered. You can also make your way to Conservation Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. It’s a bit of a walk from the train but it’s worth the trek. There, you can get an in-depth look at animal habitats around the globe and see the expert veterinary care our animals receive—all at your leisure.

With all of these experiences on offer, Animal Kingdom certainly has more to do in the rain than it used to. That being said, on a rainy day, plan for around a half-day spent here unless you really like getting soaked. There are several other indoor shows to see here, such as Finding Nemo, the Musical (a 40-minute show), but the distance between them makes the prospect of hiking across the park somewhat unattractive. Doing a half-day in the rain here will allow you to maximize the park’s experiences while combining them with some drier ones elsewhere.

WET AND WILD MUST-DO’s

Splash Mountain (with extra splash!)
Jungle Cruise
Rainy Day Character Cavalcade

HIGH AND DRY MUST-DO’s

Festival of the Lion King
Kilimanjaro Safari
Pandora – The World of Avatar

Sometimes you just need to embrace the rain. It does not stop the animals, why should it stop humans.

But if you are not buying that line, consider getting up close with animals at Animal Kingdom Resort. It is a resort like no other in the US. Animals roam the grounds freely and animal educators will be there to help you learn more.

Animal Kingdom resort has various daily activities available for guests. You do not even need to be staying at that resort to participate. Plus, Animal Kingdom Resort has some of the best restaurants in all of Disney, especially if you are open to trying exotic flavors.

Beyond the Parks

While time in Disney’s world-class theme parks is understandably precious, it’s no exaggeration to say that you can have just as good a time outside of the parks on rainy days, all while remaining perfectly dry! Should you choose this path for your rainy-day excursions, you can partake in activities full of rest and relaxation while still experiencing that classic Disney magic.

What to do at Disney World when it rains? Try something different!

Disney Springs

Most of the rainy-day activities are located on the West Side, including AMC cinemas and Splitsville Luxury Lanes bowling alley.

For sports fans, the NBA Experience packs a lot of power. There are 13 themed activities and you don’t have to be a basketball fan to enjoy them. You can spend several hours doing any of those attractions.

With the majority of the restaurants and shops located further into the outdoor walking areas, there’s little chance of staying dry. With other activities in Disney Springs, and we’d recommend coming back on a day that will leave both you and your new purchases significantly drier.

Resorts and Resort Hopping

The resorts are Walt Disney World’s best-kept secret in dry weather; in the rain, they become havens of relaxation where you can choose your own adventure without being too rushed. If you are staying at one of Disney’s many resorts, check with reception for any information about rainy day activities for kids.

While you’re in the lobby, be on the lookout for characters! During rainy days, characters appear more frequently and in greater numbers throughout the resorts. Often, you may meet princesses and classic Disney characters without the hassle of the long lines they have in the parks!

Each resort also comes with its own Easter eggs and themes to explore, so check them out if you get the chance. What is an Easter Egg, you ask? Simply put, Easter eggs are hidden references, clues, or inside jokes that have been inconspicuously (and sometimes not so inconspicuously) placed into TV shows, video games, movies, and even around Disney World Resort. They are usually the imagineer’s secret love letters to Disney fans, and sometimes just inside jokes to themselves. You can also always hunt for Hidden Mickey’s.

If you’ve explored enough of your own resort, consider resort hopping* and seeing one of the many other resorts on property. Animal Kingdom Lodge features live animals roaming the savanna scene and guides who will tell you about them. They also have a very large collection of African art displayed throughout the resort. Wilderness Lodge has a very impressive lobby and man-made geyser, and the Polynesian Village features a great tiki bar, Trader Sam’s, and a beach that looks out onto Magic Kingdom.

All resorts come with appropriately themed restaurants, and none of them require admission to enter. And of course, all resorts feature their own character greetings and rainy-day activities. If you don’t want to waste a park ticket on a rainy day, resort hopping is a fantastic way to get your fill of Disney adventure while staying completely dry.

Should the parks close due to severe inclement weather, exploring the resorts becomes an even better option, as there is minimal travel and high reward. If inclement weather should affect the resorts themselves, please listen to all cast member instructions and stay safe.

*Do note that if you are resort hopping, you will generally need to transfer to the buses or monorail via one of the parks or Disney Springs.

[ VIP TIP ] Try a change of scenery by browsing around other Disney resorts. You can do some shopping, have a snack or a drink, and think about where you might like to stay on your next Disney vacation.

Water Parks

If you’re going out in the rain, you’re going to get wet. Why not embrace it? Disney’s water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are both well-themed and incredibly fun. What’s more, the water in the pools is heated, making it nice and relaxing rain or shine.

Most folks tend to avoid the water parks in the rain, and lines for water slides should be quite short, allowing you to maximize your time here. While going to the water parks on a day with normal rainy is highly recommended, thunder and lightning do have a significant impact and the parks will close for safety. Please be sure to keep an eye on the weather and follow cast members’ directions should they tell you to evacuate. Safety first!

Evening Activities

If the rain has dampened your day, you don’t have to let it dampen your evening. Even if you have not made advance dining reservations, see what might be available for that evening. It may be a nice opportunity to try a restaurant that you had not considered before. If you are staying at a DVC resort, many have Community Hall recreation rooms where you can rent games or do crafts.

Disney offers a special dining experience called Dine Around the Sky. If you have not made reservations for that event, you can create your own.

How to your own Dine Around the Sky
Select any one of the 3 resorts along the monorail to start or you can start at the Ticket and Transportation Center hub.
Hop the Monorail and get off at the first resort. At the first resort, have a cocktail.
Hop back on the monorail and get off at the next resort. There, visit a restaurant and only have an appetizer.
Repeat the process and have an entrée at the third resort.
Go back to where you started and have dessert.
Granted, you may not be able to be seated at the table service restaurants, but you can get served at the lounges or quick-service restaurants. It’s a fun way to experience several resorts and you never have to go out in the rain.

To learn more about Dine Around the Sky or other Disney dining options, read Disney World Table Service Restaurants more information and links to menus.

Don't Let the Rain Dampen Your Day

What to do at Disney World when it rains? Pleanty!

No matter what the weather is like, there’s always a good time to be had at Walt Disney World. Since you can’t change the weather, embrace it. Whether you have a WET AND WILD style or are the HIGH AND DRY type, we hope these tips help you have a great time at Disney, even when it rains.

For more helpful planning tips, check out these articles:

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