First-time visit in extreme rain?

[OneTrackMind]

Hi. I have been to the parks a few times but never in the rain. My friends (couple with 10 year old son) will be there for their first visit later this week. They were planning on Saturday as their first day in the park but there is very heavy rain forecast for that day. I’ve pointed them to the recent “Can We Chat Rain” thread. But specifically in their situation, does it make sense to have their first ever day on a day with so much rain? They could skip that day and go for a partial day Wednesday instead, which would make their first day on Sunday. Of course, they will also watch the forecast and hope it changes!
Thanks!

 

[chickapin parterre]

very good question.....do they currently live in harsh winter environment?

 

[BrianL]

I don't think Saturday is forecast for "extreme rain" of any kind. Everything I've read says a 40% chance of rain described as "ocassional showers." Maybe that's extreme by LA standards? If it keeps some people away though then I'm fine with it.

 

[VandVsmama]

They could consider bringing rain boots if the forecast calls for heavy rain. If it’s just light rain, then regular shoes will probably do fine. Bring umbrellas and ponchos!

When it rains at DL, the locals stay away. Makes for low ride waits. All of the outdoor rides will be closed of course but you can do all of the indoor attractions!

 

[ImDMous]

The forecast I usually read says .25 inches of rain for the day spread over an hour or two daytime and an hour or two nighttime. That doesn't really sound like any heavy downpours, maybe just occasional showers. It wouldn't change my plans at all if I were going, wish I didn't have to work, sounds like a great day to go actually.

 

[chickapin parterre]

so if they skip Saturday and go Sunday, they bump up on the folks who didn't go on Saturday....but having been in Disneyland on Saturday, they have a better concept of the outlay and will be able to use their maxpass to fullness on Sunday and have a better time. Also, you could tell them about the attractions that have covered waiting areas and longer length attractions that will keep them dry longer.

as for enjoying a low attendance in the crowd with miserable rain, to them they have no concept on what low attendance looks like and what attractions to board with short lines.....so that uncomfortable rain is not going to offer any comfort.

two full days is better than a partial day.....and it could be that the rain will let up on Saturday night. So with several change of shoes and clothes, a return to lodging when enough with the discomfort of being wet .....will help with the night return visit....at lodging to dry and eat, it is possible to have a good visit.

 

[OneTrackMind]

They could consider bringing rain boots if the forecast calls for heavy rain. If it’s just light rain, then regular shoes will probably do fine. Bring umbrellas and ponchos!

When it rains at DL, the locals stay away. Makes for low ride waits. All of the outdoor rides will be closed of course but you can do all of the indoor attractions!

They could consider bringing rain boots if the forecast calls for heavy rain. If it’s just light rain, then regular shoes will probably do fine. Bring umbrellas and ponchos!

When it rains at DL, the locals stay away. Makes for low ride waits. All of the outdoor rides will be closed of course but you can do all of the indoor attractions!

Thanks - those are all helpful points from everyone. It’s currently -19 (Celsius) here, and about -25 if you include windchill. So rain is definitely an improvement. But they are used to snow, not rain!
I was worried from another thread about things closing, as the forecast we saw is calling for an inch of rain. Is that considered a lot? If that happens, is it enough that the whole park could close early?
I would go for sure myself, but it wouldn’t be my first ever visit. So I’m just trying to help them gather some informed opinions from all the experts on this board. Any and all opinions would be great!

 

[BrianL]

Thanks - those are all helpful points from everyone. It’s currently -19 (Celsius) here, and about -25 if you include windchill. So rain is definitely an improvement. But they are used to snow, not rain!
I was worried from another thread about things closing, as the forecast we saw is calling for an inch of rain. Is that considered a lot? If that happens, is it enough that the whole park could close early?
I would go for sure myself, but it wouldn’t be my first ever visit. So I’m just trying to help them gather some informed opinions from all the experts on this board. Any and all opinions would be great!

It should not be enough to close the park early. Indoor attractions will continue to operate. Hey, at WDW they even run outdoor rides in the rain, as long as there is no lightning. It rains like every day there! I don't know how DL handles it, though it rains so much less frequently they may do more than WDW does.

 

[chickapin parterre]

..........so they can handle moisture blowing in their face and down their collars.....so yes.....go on Saturday....just advise them to have many pairs of shoes and articles of clothing and roll of quarters if their lodging has dryers. Most first time downhill skiers quit lessons and never return because they have never had to deal with moisture leaking thru their cuffs and collars and constant cold on face. .....your friends are going to be troopers and survive what ever Sunny California can throw at them!!!!!

 

[sherilaine]

We were there a few weeks ago and it rained heavily at times, and the sky didn't fall with that rain - some outdoor rides were closed but only temporarily until the rain stopped. The weather can go from nice and warm and sunny to cool and raining and then right back to sunny and warm again with the evening almost certainly still being cool. The issue with California is rain there feels cooler compared to how it feels in a dryer climate. We come from a very dry climate where you do not have moisture in the air, that can make cool and damp weather feel chillier than it would elsewhere if you are not used to it. If I were them I'd not alter my plans based on the 'chance' of showers.

 

[midnight star]

I wouldn’t change the plans. Just come prepared and know that some outdoor rides might close if it rains. If you wait until a sunny day, everyone that avoided the rain will flock to the park.

And this is coming from someone who doesn’t like rain, cold, or wind. I’m actually going on Saturday...lol

 

[pblack]

I wouldn’t change the plans. Just come prepared and know that some outdoor rides might close if it rains. If you wait until a sunny day, everyone that avoided the rain will flock to the park.

And this is coming from someone who doesn’t like rain, cold, or wind. I’m actually going on Saturday...lol

Me too! I ordered some ponchos on Amazon just in case. I figure if I don't need them then i'll just save them for something else.

 

[NAP14]

Hi. I have been to the parks a few times but never in the rain. My friends (couple with 10 year old son) will be there for their first visit later this week. They were planning on Saturday as their first day in the park but there is very heavy rain forecast for that day. I’ve pointed them to the recent “Can We Chat Rain” thread. But specifically in their situation, does it make sense to have their first ever day on a day with so much rain? They could skip that day and go for a partial day Wednesday instead, which would make their first day on Sunday. Of course, they will also watch the forecast and hope it changes!
Thanks!

Disneyland in the rain is a bit magical! You just need to be prepared ( ponchos, rain boots, layers). We were in Disneyland when it was pouring in January and got to ride so many rides! I say go on Saturday and ride all the indoor rides and then when you go the next day you can focus on any rides that were not open.
The last ride my son and I went on was Splash Mountain. We went on it 4 times in a row. It was his first time on Splash and so awesome that the lines were basically nonexistent due to the rain!
Have fun!

 

[VandVsmama]

This might also be helpful --> https://disneylanddaily.com/what-to-do-when-it-rains-at-disneyland/

 

[theluckyrabbit]

It should not be enough to close the park early. Indoor attractions will continue to operate. Hey, at WDW they even run outdoor rides in the rain, as long as there is no lightning. It rains like every day there! I don't know how DL handles it, though it rains so much less frequently they may do more than WDW does.

If it rains hard enough (e.g. more than a light drizzle for long enough to really make things slick and start forming deeper puddles), F! won't run -- not an issue right now, but worth noting when the show is running. The crews prepping the Columbia usually will give you the heads up whether they think the show will go on. As pp have noted, outdoor rides (e.g. RSR, tea cups, Luigi's, etc.) won't run in the rain. If there is lightning, the trams won't run -- so be prepared to walk back to M&F in the rain. M&Gs disappear from outside, but can reappear in unexpected places inside, so don't lose hope -- just keep a sharp eye out for indoor spaces, e.g. Opera House, CCR foyer, etc.
As others have said, the weather report doesn't look bad enough to require a change of plans. Just be prepared with rain gear, which is easily stored in a locker when not needed.

 

[OneTrackMind]

Thank you so much everyone! I knew you would raise excellent points and have very helpful suggestions.

 

[Cal-Pie]

If RSR closes for rain, and you have it booked on maxpass, does it convert to a multi experience?

 

[dina444444]

If RSR closes for rain, and you have it booked on maxpass, does it convert to a multi experience?

It should

 

[midnight star]

If RSR closes for rain, and you have it booked on maxpass, does it convert to a multi experience?

Yes. On Saturday when I arrived, it was raining and RSR was still going. I booked a fastpass and then a few minutes later it converted. It almost always goes down at some point in the rain.

 

[BrianL]

Well, so the rain was worse than I expected, but still not that bad. It never rained hard, but it also just never stopped. A poncho did the trick though. The worst of the wetness came from Splash Mountain, not the rain. That thing is a menace!