14 Tips to Have Fun on a Rainy Day at Disney

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There is nothing worse than spending months planning a family vacation to Disney World, only to discover the week before you leave that it is supposed to rain the whole time you are there! You can either let the weather ruin your trip or you can have fun regardless! Here are 14 tips to help you have fun on a rainy day at Disney World!

Most people head back to the hotel when it starts raining at Disney World, but this is a big mistake. This is one of the most fun times to be in the parks! And, since it rains almost every day in Florida (at least a little bit), chances are you will see some rain during your trip. So, sing in the rain and splash in the puddles!

Tip #1: Bring Ponchos

The first tip for a rainy day at Disney is to bring your ponchos! They will keep you (somewhat) dry while you are playing in the parks.

Even if it is sunny when you leave your hotel room in the morning, always take your ponchos to the park with you because the rain can pop up at any moment in Florida. And be sure to take at least one extra poncho to cover your stroller if you have a little one.

I recommend bringing ponchos from home because they will be much cheaper than buying them in the parks!

Tip #2: Wear Appropriate Shoes

If you are out in the rain, your shoes are going to get wet. So, be sure to wear shoes that you don’t mind getting soaked.

Crocs are always a good choice because they are rubber and will dry quickly. If you know before you leave home that rain is probable, consider packing rain boots for your kids.

It’s also important to pack more than one pair of shoes for your trip so that if your shoes are still wet the next day, you will have a dry pair to wear.

(Read our packing tips for Disney trips for other essentials to pack for your trip.)

Tip #3: Wear a Hat

Whether it’s sunny or rainy, it’s always a good idea to wear a hat to the parks. It not only will keep the sun out of your eyes, but it will also keep the raindrops off your face.

For the best protection, pull the hood of your poncho up over your hat to keep your hat and your head dry during the downpours.

Tip #4: Enjoy the Break From the Heat

During the summertime, it is hot and humid in Florida! It can be miserable to be out in the heat. But, fortunately, Florida also tends to get little pop up showers on a daily basis during the summer.

These generally don’t last more than 20-30 minutes, so if you get caught in one, don’t sweat it! It will give you a chance to enjoy a nice break from the heat. So, cool off a bit in the refreshing showers!

Tip #5: Enjoy Low Crowds

Most people head to their hotel when the rain starts. So, use the rainy day to your advantage and enjoy much lower crowds.

This is a great time to jump in line for the most popular rides that will now have much shorter lines. (Just note that some of the outdoor rides do shut down during the rain.)

I love being in the parks during the rain because it chases so much of the crowd away.

Tip #6: Catch the Shows

If you would rather not get wet during your rainy day at Disney, then use the showers to catch some of the shows throughout the parks.

Most of the shows are either indoors or have a roof over the seating areas, so it is a great way to get out of the rain while still having fun.

Tip #7: Ride Some Indoor Rides

Another great thing to do during your rainy day at Disney if you want to stay dry is to ride some of the indoor rides.

Unlike most amusement parks, many of the Disney rides are inside show buildings, so it’s pretty easy to keep riding rides without getting wet.

In addition to the rides that are located inside, there are also some rides that have a roof overhead, such as the Mad Tea Party and Aliens Swirling Saucers.

Tip #8: See the Animals

If you are at Animal Kingdom when it is raining, go see the animals! You can do this by either taking a ride on Kilimanjaro Safaris, walking one of the animal trails, or seeking out the other animal exhibits around the park.

Like humans, the animals enjoy the cooler temps that come with the rain. So, usually they are out and more active when it is raining than they are on hot sunny days.

So, this is a great time to see them in action!

Tip #9: Shop

Disney World has no shortage of gift shops located throughout the property. So, another great way to spend time when it’s raining is to do your souvenir shopping.

And if you are staying on property, you can have the staff of the gift shop ship your purchases back to your resort, so you don’t have to carry them around in the rain.

If you are at Disney Springs during a shower, head to World of Disney. It is the largest Disney Store in the world. So, you can spend quite a bit of time in there shopping without running out of things to look out.

Similarly, the Emporium at the Magic Kingdom and Connections at Epcot are also large gift shops that can eat up quite a bit of your time if you are waiting out a downpour.

Tip #10: Linger Over Dinner

If it starts raining as you head into a restaurant to eat, then wait out the raindrops by having a leisurely meal. This is a perfect time to have an extra glass of wine or slowly eat your dessert.

Hopefully, the rain will stop before you are finished and ready to head back outside.

And if you have gotten caught in the rain before reaching the restaurant, having a long meal will allow you to dry off some before getting on with your day.

Tip #11: Ride the Monorail/Skyliner

Yet another way to have some fun on a rainy day at Disney World is to ride the monorail or skyliner. Use this as an opportunity to go explore some of the resorts.

You can either make a full loop on the monorail or jump off at the Ticket and Transportation Center and get on the other line. If you are on the skyliner, you can transfer lines at the Caribbean Beach station.

Now, remember that the skyliner will not run if it is lightning. But, short of that, head to either one of these fun modes of transportation and enjoy a relaxing (and dry) ride.

Tip #12: Take Some Photos

One of my favorite things to do during the rain at Disney is to take photos. While your family may look like drowned rats at the time, these photos make the best memories! You will look back at these pictures fondly for years to come.

My rainy day photos are some of my favorites! So, pull the camera out (maybe under an awning) and take some fun pictures!

Tip #13: Embrace It & Have Fun

However you decide to spend your time during a rainy day at Disney, just embrace it for what it is and have fun with it! You don’t get to be at Disney World with your family everyday, so don’t let a little rain ruin your vacation!

Just have fun anyways. Splash in the puddles! Catch raindrops on your tongue. Show your kids that you can make the most of a difficult situation.

This is also a great time to teach your kids that your attitude can make all the difference in a less-than-perfect time. So, channel your inner child and have a blast!

Tip #14: Don’t Cancel!

The most important tip for a rainy day at Disney is to not cancel your trip (or your day’s plans) just because it’s raining! These can be some of the most fun times at Disney World, so don’t run away from them! Just go with the flow and enjoy the vacation you’ve worked so hard to have!

Conclusion

Rain happens in Florida quite often. And unfortunately, you can’t predict when it will show up or how long it will last. But don’t let it ruin your trip! Instead, embrace it and make the most of it! I hope the above tips for a rainy day at Disney help you make magical memories with your family, regardless of the weather.

For help planning your trip, see my step-by-step guide, how much a Disney trip REALLY costs, the best time to go to Disney, and quick tips. To book your trip, head to Disney’s website.

Happy travels!