Animal Kingdom in the Rain?

[UpstartCrow]

We're still about three weeks out, so I'm not taking the weather reports too seriously at this point, but we were planning to hit AK on what looks to be a rainy day towards the end of our trip. Usually I'm not too bothered by rain at WDW (unless it's really a torrential downpour that won't let up), but I was wondering how it affects park touring in AK, since so many attractions (to say nothing of all the animals) are outside.

Of course, with my luck, this will wind up being the only day of our trip where we DON'T get rain all day. But I was wondering if anyone had park touring tips/commentary for AK in the rain just in case.

 

[PrettyFlower2]

that stinks. I feel like AK is the worst park to be in when it's raining

 

[JESSketeer]

We went September of last year and on our AK day there was a torrential downpour in the early afternoon that wouldn't let up. We ended up having to leave the park.

 

[RedHeadedFairy]

It rained a bit on us on our AK day last week. Luckily, the rain moved in over the early part of the day but didn't do more than lightly mist until later in the day.

We did the Safari 1st thing when the park opened & it was the BEST tour we've ever taken!!! The morning was cool & breezy & it kept drizzling on & off during our ride. ALL of the animals were out & active! My niece got the most amazing pics of the giraffes & lions.

 

[disneycat321]

I wouldn't take it too seriously. We are going next week and the forecast changes daily lol. So who knows what it will say when you're closer to the trip!

We went to AK in June when there was just a little rain, so that wasn't the main problem for us. The problem was the lightning. I know for sure EE closes when there is any lightning, and I believe Kali did too. I remember walking around for a long time waiting to use our EE fast passes before we left because it was closed for so long.

After that, I would definitely stay away from AK on a "stormy" day. We actually switched our AK day next week partially because of the forecast. Hoping next week's forecast is at least semi reliable!

 

[richmo]

Of course, at three weeks out, it is impossible to say your AK day will be rainy. It's getting into the part of the year where there's an excellent chance of a shower on any given day in the vicinity.

That being said, I didn't mind AK in the rain too much. If its raining hard, Kilimanjaro Safaris might not be much fun. The trucks are covered, but you could easily get pretty wet. You could also get a little wet on Everest, but most of the fast part of the ride is indoors. As with the other parks, if it rains, the park empties out, so in some ways its a good thing.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

We actually had the best time riding Kali over and over in the rain last May! We just went with it and ended up having a memorable time!

 

[mm1971]

As you stated, the weather will change 10 times between now and then. Rain never bothered us when we were touring, especially in the summer when it is so hot. I say go with it and just enjoy the lower crowds. Usually the rain brings the animals out so the safari and trails should be great.

And it's a great time to ride Kali, as you'll already be wet.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

As you stated, the weather will change 10 times between now and then. Rain never bothered us when we were touring, especially in the summer when it is so hot. I say go with it and just enjoy the lower crowds. Usually the rain brings the animals out so the safari and trails should be great.

And it's a great time to ride Kali, as you'll already be wet.

agree completely - IMO the only time to really worry is when there is lightning - then things will close (Kali, EE to mention 2). I'm not sure what happens with Flights of Wonder during the rain - it's covered overall so the show probably goes on.

We've done the Safari in the rain - loads of fun. And people really evacuate or avoid AK on rainy days so it actually works out quite well to go there!

 

[pumpkinmomma]

We did AK in the rain last year and it was fine. At one point it really was pouring, so we ended up heading to the Nemo show, they had closed many of the outdoor rides. It was a fairly wet day, there was a tropical storm passing through, and we still got to ride everything.

If it's a light rain, it's fine and the animals are usually very active because it's cooler. Even if there is a brief downpour, there are indoor attractions you can head to like Nemo or FOTLK.

 

[bdklein]

But I was wondering if anyone had park touring tips/commentary for AK in the rain just in case.

Get really big umbrellas for the animals.

 

[Schmeck]

We did AK in the rain in March. The animals were so much more lively (especially the young gorillas and tigers) and the place was pretty empty. My daughter rode EE 3X in a row, no FP needed.

 

[Nature Mom]

If it is storming badly with lightening and thunder, we will try to find somewhere inside (like Finding Nemo or FoTLK) to wait it out, but if it is a light rain, AK is one of our favorite parks. The animals are all so much more active, the crowd levels drop to nothing and puddling jumping is such a fun memory.

 

[disnut8]

We're still about three weeks out, so I'm not taking the weather reports too seriously at this point, but we were planning to hit AK on what looks to be a rainy day towards the end of our trip. Usually I'm not too bothered by rain at WDW (unless it's really a torrential downpour that won't let up), but I was wondering how it affects park touring in AK, since so many attractions (to say nothing of all the animals) are outside.

Of course, with my luck, this will wind up being the only day of our trip where we DON'T get rain all day. But I was wondering if anyone had park touring tips/commentary for AK in the rain just in case.

This was 11 years ago so Expedition Everest wasn't open but we went to Animal Kingdom on a day the rain was so bad, it was blowing sideways (yes, it truly did - absolutely no exaggeration). Total of six of us. We did everything, including the Safari with no problems. Of course, it helped we were some of the few in the park. In the end, we were cold and wet but it was one of the most wonderful days I've ever spent at Disney World.

 

[UpstartCrow]

Thanks for all the replies! Looks like this could be my opportunity to finally see the Finding Nemo show, if nothing else (we always prioritize FOTLK and just never seem to work out the time for Nemo too). I'm not going to consider rescheduling things until we're actually in WDW (or close to it) and I can put more stock in the forecast. And even at that, it seems like we'd be able to manage unless we get hardcore, unrelenting thunderstorms that last all day. Kali and Everest aren't huge priorities for us anyway (DBF doesn't like water rides and I don't like roller coasters ). So, hopefully we'd be able to get away with weaving between indoor/outdoor attractions as the weather changes.

And if not, then I guess we'll just have to take another trip so I can visit the elephants...

 

[disnut8]

I just wanted to add that our weather forecast here called for 50% chance of thundershowers today so the husband and his friends cancelled their weekly golf outing. Glad they did because they wouldn't have been able to see the ball with that great big yellow thing called the sun that's up in the sky all day.

Note to self - don't trust any weather forecast.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Note to self - don't trust any weather forecast.

Especially not a Florida one.

The last time we were there it was a day where there was a nice, steady downpour for the entire time we were at AK. We rode Everest and Kali, and then pretty much left the park because the trees were dripping on us along with the rain and it was just not fun. But I must add that this was the fourth day of a five day trip with a good amount of rain the entire time we were touring, and we were just tired at that point of being rained on.

 

[Oswald lover]

I went to Disney in December and on my AK day it rained, but not too long. It lasted about 45-60 minutes. AK has a few covered shows (and rides) so if its raining and you're near one, I would suggest going. I went to Flights of Wonder (covered) and actually loved it! My family and I decided that we would see it every Disney trip from then on. (That was the first time we saw it) So even if it rains, you can probably find something to do without getting wet. And you might even find a new favorite attraction!

 

[TSM]

We were there in sept in a thunder storm and they did close a lot of the rides. We did lion king show, nemo, dinosaur, and ate. Literally about everyone left the park because it was a few hour pour but when it cleared up we had the park to ourselves. Walked on Everest and a bunch of other rides with absolutely NO wait!!!!

 

[ktlm]

We did Ak on a rainy day once. There was no line for Safari so they were letting people stay on the vehicles and ride as many times as they wanted. It was great. The animals seemed to be enjoying the rain, They were all out and very active.