DISER's Please Help! Thunderstorms during our trip, What can we do?

[honey11dog]

We are going to Disney June 10 - 15. So far, the weather pedictions are for Thunderstorms all day through the 13. I figure that it is probably accurate since Central Florida hasn't seen rain storms in awhile. My plan was as follows:

Thurs June 10 - arrival and Hoop De Doo
Fri June 11 - MK Sat June 12 - AK/Blizzard Beach Sun June 13 - EPCOT Mon June 14 - Studios Tues June 15 - MK/ Typhoon Lagoon

I have heard that EPCOT isn't bad on a rainy day. Is there anywhere else we can go?

 

[mic_key_mouse]

I will be there June 7th-18th. As a former Orlando resident, I don't plan to check the weather until the day before we leave. The forecasts are never right this far out. The weather forecasts I trust are the ones I look at the morning before I leave for the park- and even those aren't always right. Rain or shine- I stick pretty much to my plan. The bottom line is when you go in the summer, you are going to get rain

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

 

[sters]

I'd advise against Animal Kingdom in the rain, especially if you have young children. There is nowhere to get out of the stuff unless you time a show just right. Ditto for MGM. I'd stick to Epcot and MK for rainy days. I've heard Disney Quest is a good rainy spot, although crowded on rainy days. Like the last poster, though, I'd wait and see what the weather report says the day of and just try and be flexible.

 

[Lyndarella]

Heavy rain was predicted when we were there a week ago, but it only rained a little bit 2 times! Then it was predicted for the week-end, when we were flying home, but had none. After that, they said it would be a rainy week when we were gone, and that didn't happen either! Sometimes it rains when you're not expecting it, so we just take it one day at a time.

 

[jwfla422]

It is so tough to forcast weather that far ahead!

We are coming into the rainy season, just because it hasn't rained for some time doesn't mean it's going to rain for days on end (that usually happens during tropical weather season in a few months).

I know the weather was pretty rainy last year in Orlando at this time, but it looks like we're going to be getting into the sunny first part of the day and the possible storm threats in the afternoons. FL in the summer is very unpreditable weatherwise, just bring ponchos and bathing suits!

 

[Karl C]

Oh these days are great! Just buy a "Self Propelled Road cone", a Disney yellow rain poncho. Wait for the crowd to clear and have fun! We had the MK all too ourselves for a few hours last time we went when it rained and we had a great time. It rained 3 out of the 10 we were there. We road Splash 3 times in a row and never got off our "log". Thunder was the same way. If you know that a storm is coming or bad weather is on the way, go to the park you want to be at and watch the place empty out when it rains. After all what else are you going to do? Do not look at this as a bad thing, especially if you plan for it. Most people do not and leave. Take advantage of a rainy forecast like this and enjoy!!!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Its been my exp that it thunderstorms practically everyday in Florida - especially in the afternoons (summer). We've never let it stop us, we just keep going. And I agree - check the weather that morning, it's very unpredictable there. Don't count on forecasts way far out.

Obviously waterparks will be harder to schedule, but I think all the parks are pretty easy to do in rain... We've never changed our plans for it. If thunderstorms are scheduled in teh late afternoon, as they often are, hit the water parks in the mornings. Most people dont spend an entire day there anyways, and you can just leave when the thundercrowds roll in.

Otherwise, I wouldn't change my schedule too much. Throw on a poncho and enjoy the shorter lines =)

 

[Deb & Bill]

Do everything when it rains. Lines will be shorter. However, if it is lightning, they will close the Mountains, waterparks, etc. until it is over.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

We have been there a couple times in the summer and got thunderstorms everyday, usually around 4:00. The skies open up, for about 15-20 minutes, then the sun comes back out. I don't think there was one day this didn't happen. Just run for cover and wait it out...odds are it won't last very long. Have fun!

 

[lucysdad]

I have many memories of waiting out the storm at the train depot in MK, the buffet restaurant at Fort Wilderness, the gift shop just about anywhere, etc. Just accept that rain is part of the package in the summer and don't let it stop you for long. Remember your ponchos and keep going!!!
Lucy's Mom

 

[cajunmommy]

I agree with the above advice. Just keep going!

Of course, ponchos are essential.

Also, don't forget to have an extra pair of dry shoes & socks or wear sandals that'll dry easily. Walking around in wet feet then going into the cold A/C to escape the rain always makes me miserable!

Just remember, as you're ducking into the venues or stores to avoid the showers, so will just about everyone else. So things will get crowded and sticky (lots of humid skin-to-skin contact).

C'mon - you know life in Baton Rouge doesn't stop when it rains (although the traffic does)!

Have a great trip!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I forgot to add....I buy a can of waterproofing, from Wal Mart, and spray our shoes. It works pretty good!

 

[honey11dog]

Thank you so much for all the information and cheering me up. This site is the BEST!! We will check the weather when we get there. Then we will take our ponchos and enjoy the parks rain or shine. We are used to rain here in Louisiana, so we won't let it bother us at Disney. I will take the advice to plan for MK or Epcot, if rain is predicted all day. This is our first time to the parks with our DS (6) and DD (3). We are so excited to see Disney through their eyes!!

 

[goofy4tink]

We were there last year from 8/15-8/23. Man, I have never, ever seen such thunder/lightning storms in my life. We were fine until Sunday pm. Then it started raining. Not really bad tho. You could still do stuff. Well. Then came Monday the 18th. Were any of you out there with us, waiting in the monorail waiting area, waiting for the storm to pass? There had to be close to 300 people in there. When they actually stopped the monorail? When it got so dark at 3 pm that all the lights started coming on? Now, that was a thunder storm. It proceeded to pour every single day from 4 pm until close to 10 or so. Not drizzle...torrential. But, we still had a great time. They do shut down the water parks and water based attractions in thunder storms. But, get your poncho and head off. Only one problem tho....when they shut down the outside water attractions, it makes for very busy indoor attractions like Buzz Lightyear and such.