Key Takeaways
- Do not leave the park. Most crowds clear out during heavy rain, leading to incredibly short wait times for indoor rides.
- Pack ponchos from home. Disney sells them, but they are expensive. A cheap Amazon poncho works just as well.
- EPCOT and Magic Kingdom are the best parks for rain due to their high concentration of indoor queues and attractions.
A rainy day at Disney World is practically a rite of passage for Florida vacationers. If you visit between June and September, you are almost guaranteed to encounter an afternoon thunderstorm. But rain does not have to ruin your trip; in fact, savvy planners often use it to their advantage.
When the skies open up, thousands of guests flee for the exits. If you know what to pack, where to hide, and which rides keep running, a rainy day can actually be one of your most productive park days.
What Closes When It Rains?
Disney does not close the parks for rain, but they do close outdoor attractions if there is lightning in the area (usually within a 6-mile radius).
Rides that close for lightning:
- Magic Kingdom: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Big Thunder Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Astro Orbiter, Tomorrowland Speedway.
- EPCOT: Test Track.
- Hollywood Studios: Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers.
- Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safaris (sometimes).
The Best Parks for a Rainy Day
If you see a full day of rain in the forecast, you might want to adjust your park reservations if possible.
- Best: EPCOT. Almost every attraction in EPCOT is entirely indoors, including the queues. The Land Pavilion alone (Soarin, Living with the Land) can keep you dry for hours.
- Great: Magic Kingdom. While it has outdoor coasters, it also has the highest concentration of indoor dark rides (Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Space Mountain, It is a Small World).
- Worst: Animal Kingdom. This park is mostly outdoors, and the animals tend to hide during heavy storms. Wait it out if it is a passing shower, but a full wash-out day here is tough.
Essential Rain Gear (Do Not Rely on Disney)
Disney sells high-quality ponchos, but at roughly $12 for adults and $10 for kids, outfitting a family of four gets expensive fast.
- Buy ponchos before you leave: Grab a multi-pack from Amazon or the dollar store. You can throw them away at the end of the day rather than stuffing wet plastic into your backpack.
- Bring an extra pair of socks/shoes: Walking around with wet feet causes blisters. Keep a dry pair of socks in a Ziploc bag in your day pack.
- Stroller covers: If you have a stroller, a waterproof plastic cover is mandatory. You do not want to come out of a 40-minute ride to find your childs seat soaked.
The “Wait It Out” Strategy
Florida rainstorms are usually violent but brief. Instead of joining the mass exodus to the buses, use a 45-minute downpour to:
- Grab a table at a quick-service restaurant and eat an early/late lunch.
- Watch a long indoor show (Carousel of Progress, Hall of Presidents, Mickey PhilharMagic, Muppet*Vision 3D).
- Shop in the connected emporiums (Main Street U.S.A. stores are all connected inside).
Once the rain stops, you will find the park significantly emptier and the temperature much cooler.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit?
The best time varies based on crowd levels, but generally late January to early February, or September, offer lower crowds.
Heading to Disney Springs on a rainy day? Make sure you know about Disney Springs parking before you go.
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