Coping with rain...

[Cruella17]

We have 2 days at WDW next week. Does anyone know if certain attractions close down during rain? Any info from any parks would be greatly appreciated!

Maybe if it DOES rain, some people will stay home! Rain or no rain, I'm going to try my hardest to get in some swimming at the Digsite (CS)!

 

[goofy4tink]

Not sure about just rain, but I do know that last summer all outside water type rides were shut down during thunder storms. We did ride BTMR, SplMt in the rain. Maybe TT might close during the rain. But I think just about everything else stays up unless the lightning starts!!!

 

[kashkdz]

I tend to agree. Most (if not all) rides stay open during the rain except for when it starts to lightning. On one occassion when we were in MK, it rained heavy ALL day. We just through on our yellow ponchos, did all the attractions we could (including the Speedway) and made the best of it. Of course some of the outdoor shows may be cancelled, but enough rain talk.....think sun ! Have a great trip !

 

[stinkerbelle]

FYI - Test Track (at Epcot) closes down when it starts raining. (regardless of lightining I believe)

 

[Simba's Mom]

Parents might want to be aware of something I learned-little kids still expect to see characters in the rain! Last year, it was pouring one day, and I was in the ladies room. Some sweet little girl turned to her mother and said "How come we haven't seen any characters today?" Everyone laughed as they looked out at the pouring rain. Kids don't always realize a little rain might keep Mickey away.

 

[vicb]

Rain strategy?? Fork out your $$ for a yellow poncho and keep going! Actually I think I read they are now clear ponchos... is that right?

We had a very rainy day at Epcot last trip down (Feb. '02). We dashed from building to building and did fine. We were extremely grateful for our lunch PS at Garden Grill as it was a mob scene but we were seated right away and on the lower level! We left Epcot at 2:30 and rode the monorail to MK and entered just in time to see the snowglobe parade (in the now just drizzle). MK had cleared out so we could ride Buzz over and over, same with Goofy Barnstormer and other rides. It was actually fun despite the cold and wet!

 

[luvsTink]

We experienced some rain last week. I would suggest buying a few cheap (50 cents at Walmart!) Ponchos...then they could be disposable. Also, we reeeaaaalllly wished that we would have worn shorts and sandals of some sort, because by the time it was over our shoes and jeans were not wearable. I ended up buying shoes for two of our children (would have much rather bought me a sweatshirt )

There was a light shower when we rode test track, so I am not sure how much it has to be raining for that to shut down. Everything else we saw was open with no waits. by all means "park on"!


Anne

 

[joshsmom]

We've had some GREAT experiences in the rain!! Someone on another board said something to the effect that rain clears out all the "wusses" and then you get the rides to yourself and the few other brave souls that put the ponchos on and keep on moving!! On our first trip with DS, grandma and I read here on the DIS to ALWAYS have ponchos handy. We went to the camping section of the local Walmart, forked out $10 for 12 of them and put one for each of us in our park gear. Once we used it, we either passed it on to others or threw them away. We had a nice new supply--neatly wrapped--in the room. I think that's what impressed me most about rain and WDW--people just kept moving and the rides kept going! Here in the Midwest, it starts raining and people run for cover like they're going to melt or something!!!!

Have a great trip--regardless of the weather. You may find that rain is your best friend!

 

[goofy4tink]

Anne makes a good point. If it's warm enough, wear sandals/shorts. Those sandals that can get wet are terrific for WDW. WE would have been lost without them in August. Even my dh, who is not a sandal wearer, was impressed with his. They dry out quickly too. But it might be too cold yet to be walking around in sandals in the rain!! I know I wouldn't have been comfortable in Dec. doing that.

 

[Glideslope]

Your mind set has a great deal to do with your experience. We go in July as it is the only time during the year we can be together for 2-3 weeks.

Each day of our trip has adjustments built in for the rain. 80% of the time everything is fine up until 3p. Then it storms until 5p or so.

We expect the rain. This minimizes the negatives. It has never ruined a trip for us.