Help me feel like the glass is half full for our upcoming trip

[Masonmj84]

Scheduled to fly out the day after tomorrow and return on Sunday. Looks like we'll be getting a lot of rain with high's only in the mid-50's.

On paper, it looked like a good week given that it's past the height of the holiday crowds but before the bulk of the closures scheduled to begin on January 11th. Along those lines, we booked before knowing that Soarin (DW's favorite attraction) would be closed. Everyone else's favorite attraction is RSR (and who knows how much that will be open this week with all of the rain).

Another reason that we booked this week was to get one last meal at Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, which we LOVE and are very sad is closing for good. Since our reservation is for Wednesday, this is looking rather doubtful.

Over the weekend, we actually considered cancelling the trip in view of the weather, especially since we'd be taking the kids out of school as well as using 1/5 of my vacation the first week of the year.

But we have non-refundable air fare as well as a DLH package (wherein $200 is non-refundable). So it's basically a choice between being out roughly $1K to not go or being out roughly $4K to go in the rain (I guess we could also just cancel our DLH package and be out just the $200 in order to stay somewhere cheaper but, even in that scenario, we'd still be out at least $3K and we really like staying on property).

Ultimately, we decided to stick but my enthusiam for the trip isn't half what it was when I booked it. I keep telling myself, "first world problems, you're still going to Disneyland." I just wish, in restrospect, that I hadn't locked myself in for this particular week.

 

[GooniesAndy]

Disneyland can be really fun in the rain! And usually our rain is inconsistent. It is rare that we would have just solid rain for several days; expect large pockets of clear weather in between showers. I would say bring raincoats/ponchos, your most water-proof shoes, and get a locker where you can stash extra socks and a change of clothes each. If there are days when it truly is mostly raining think about what attractions are largely indoors. Keep an eye on the hour-by-hour forecasts to at least attempt to get to RSR during a dry spell. Drink hot chocolate and get a meal at Jolly Holiday Bakery, where they have delicious soups! We purposely will head to Disneyland in the rain, because it generally means lower crowds.

 

[bethwc101]

I LOVE going in the cold rain. Nobody wants to be there so the park usually gets significantly less crowded. Just wear many layers and wear ponchos and bring an umbrella and you will be fine.

When we go we actually cross our fingers that it does start raining. Just pack your bag with some extra clothes in case the ones you have get too wet. And just wear your backpack ubder your poncho.
Take advantage of rides like POTC and HM. Where the lines are outside so people won't want to wait, but the ride inside is a little longer. IASW also is good, but can get annoying.

If you all start to get really cold either go back to the hotel or do things like Turtle talk, animation academy, golden horseshoe, and Mr. Lincoln.

 

[craigkerstiens]

As PP mentioned rain in that area often comes in pockets. While it might happen you have a full day of rain, it's far more rare overall. The rain we do get is often lighter as well than elsewhere in the US often more of a drizzle. It may affect RSR some, but just try to knock it out early one day and you should be all set.

Sometimes we've found the rain or threat of rain is actually great to deter crowds, so there's a chance crowds are non-existent and that may make it easier to get to all the things you want.

 

[luulu1999]

So from what I have seen it is not going to rain Fri or Sat Thurs night and it doesn't really look like it is going to really be pouring rain non stop Weds all day so i don't think it is that big of a deal, take rain gear and make the best of it! Usually rain means less people so that is ALWAYS a plus!! There is so much to do one last time before it is shut down and if your BTRBBQ res is in the evening that may still happening accu weather says occasional showers IDK how they determine when they are open or not or maybe keep checking for a Fri or Sat reservation!

 

[sherilaine]

We had a blast in the rain. I think being prepared will help fill up that glass - even being over prepared (I heard somewhere there is actually such a thing?). I hope you are able to make the most of it and enjoy as best you can. Sometimes the best memories are from when things didn't go as planned.

 

[tarheelalum]

They said it was supposed to rain today but I'm at Disneyland right now and it's sunny and fantastic. I'll be here for a few more days and it will probably rain but we have ponchos and we rented a locker to keep extra shoes and socks incase our feet get wet. Disneyland is going to change forever in a few days and rain is not keeping me away. Be prepared and stay positive and, most importantly, have a great time.

 

[SMD]

They said it was supposed to rain today but I'm at Disneyland right now and it's sunny and fantastic. I'll be here for a few more days and it will probably rain but we have ponchos and we rented a locker to keep extra shoes and socks incase our feet get wet. Disneyland is going to change forever in a few days and rain is not keeping me away. Be prepared and stay positive and, most importantly, have a great time.

There's a 25% chance of it raining about midnight and then it jumps to 95% by tomorrow morning. I think the forecast was always for rain Tuesday, not today. That's a good point about changing forever, though. These days you will almost never have the same experience of a trip twice, good or bad. Things are changing too rapidly with attractions, menus, special events, policies and crowd levels for anything to stay the same for too long.

 

[mich311e]

Do they cancel PTN in the rain? Does it just depend how hard it's raining?

 

[GooniesAndy]

It depends on how much rain there's been during the day (if the ground is wet), and also on current conditions. It would be dangerous for the dancers if the ground/floats were slippery. Actively raining it should definitely be canceled.

 

[dani24]

I'm going to be there Thursday and Friday. I'm a little bummed about the rain (mostly because I'm worried about our BTRBBQ reservation for Friday)... but I'm still super excited for our trip. Even if the BBQ is closed, we'll still get one last shot at the railroad, petting zoo, Mark Twain, Sailing Ship Columbia, Tom Sawyer Island, Fantasmic (unless it's closed for rain), etc. before they are closed for a long while (or forever). And there are lots of other things at the park worth enjoying, even if we can't do the BBQ or Fantasmic or whatever. It may even be a great opportunity to do some indoor things you normally might skip, like shows and poking around places on Main Street (like the library, or the cinema) or Sleeping Beauty's Castle, or the Enchanted Tiki Room. I've never had a bad trip to the parks, so I can't imagine this being the first.

And I hate the rain. But I've decided to just embrace it. I got some cute rain shoes, ponchos, fun gloves/hats, and I've decided I'm just not going to worry about how I look (my hair generally doesn't not get along with the rain). I've read that sometimes the park is less crowded on rainy days. And having been at the parks once during an hour long rain storm, if you're prepared for the rain, the lines for any outdoor rides tend to get super short -- so take advantage!

In all of my trips there, I can't recall ever going when it's cold (even when I've been in November, December, January, etc. it's at least been the upper 60's and mostly sunny). So I'm looking forward to enjoying some warm treats (soup in a bread bowl, hot cocoa, etc.) that I normally wouldn't crave during warmer weather.

Bottom line, for me, is that any trip is largely about your own attitude and what you make of it. If you go in expecting to have a bad time, you're going to have a bad time. But if you decide that you're going to make the most of it, you'll find ways.

 

[MermaidHair]

For your glass half-full: I read today on another site that Soarin' us actually going to go down on Monday through Thursdays while they are working on it but still be open for guests on Friday - Sunday. Sounds like you might get to ride that one after all!

 

[msb578]

Not sure where you live, but where I am the current temp is 5 F. Does that help?

(You may very well be coming from a cold place too)

 

[millie0312]

When it rained on us our last trip (I too was hoping to avoid the wet with 2 young kiddos), we actually did some fun things we would not have done otherwise. We did the animation academy THREE times (we kept saying maybe we will do it once by never would have gotten over there) at DCA, enjoyed the beasts library in the same building- both were such a treat! We also spent extra time at the snow play area which we loved and my kids were happy to play there for longer. We didn't have much rain while at DL, but just the small rain storm we dealt with at DCA gave us some fun opportunities to do something different. As long as you have some indoor ideas in mind of what you could try and some good rain gear (umbrellas, ponchos, warm clothes, hats, stroller covers, etc) you won't mind- the rain in So Cal is not like other rain it's rarely very much or for very long. We got soaked when we went (like dripping off of us), but it only lasted about an hour and we didn't get much the rest of the 6 park days we did total (the forecast initially said rain a bunch of our days). It'll end up working out- try not to worry about it (I did it too lol)- it won't be as bad as you think

 

[scrapperkimmydee]

One of the best memories my DDs have is being there in the rain. We actually met up with other Disers that day, too. There were no lines. We wore the rain capes they have, still got wet some, but we had So. Much. Fun! You'll have a chance to do things you've never done before. It's gonna be an Amazing Adventure!!!

 

[DLgal]

The forecast for this area (I live near Anaheim) has been wrong more than it has been right. They have already eased off on the "massive" amounts of rain they forecast for this week. I was at Disneyland today and the forecast was for rain all day and there wasn't a drop, it was sunny and 70. I was burning up and had a raincoat with me.

Don't worry. It probably will barely rain this week. The majoring of the rain is going to be north and inland.

 

[SMD]

The forecast for this area (I live near Anaheim) has been wrong more than it has been right. They have already eased off on the "massive" amounts of rain they forecast for this week. I was at Disneyland today and the forecast was for rain all day and there wasn't a drop, it was sunny and 70. I was burning up and had a raincoat with me.

Don't worry. It probably will barely rain this week. The majoring of the rain is going to be north and inland.

How late were you there? It got pretty cold by 5:30 and people were bundling up. It was also humid, so even though it was warm until about 3:30 when it started getting cold everything just felt damp. I have a feeling it will rain some before the park closes tonight, which I think is midnight for DL.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Bring your ponchos and enjoy. Good news is that you'll have fewer locals with the rain, which may mean shorter lines. It can be fun to go in the rain as long as you bundle up. Spend some time in the indoor venues that you probably don't spend much time in usually. The Animation Academy, Tiki Room, Olaf's Snowfest (if it's still up), Lincoln, the new Star Wars/Marvel exhibits, etc. Oh, and if you go on Splash Mountain, you won't have to worry about whether or not you get wet...Just make sure to bundle up and bring an extra pair of shoes (or wear rain boots).

 

[DLgal]

How late were you there? It got pretty cold by 5:30 and people were bundling up. It was also humid, so even though it was warm until about 3:30 when it started getting cold everything just felt damp. I have a feeling it will rain some before the park closes tonight, which I think is midnight for DL.

Was only there for a few hours between 10am-2pm. I know it got cool in the afternoon. But those temps later on were the forecasted highs for the day! It has been quite chilly after dark for a few weeks now so that isn't surprising.

It was pretty humid, I will agree with that. I commented to my husband about it when we were walking back to the parking structure.

Today (Tues) looks to be the potentially most rainy day of this week. I think OP is still in good shape for the rest of the week.