I am so sad! Is our DL trip ruined?

[FourOrchards]

I have been watching the weather to get the 15 day forecast and it's finally out. We are going to DL Dec 17-21 and it's forecasting R-A-I-N!

How can this be?!? So is our trip ruined or what or can fun be had in the pouring rain?

 

[Belle Ella]

Your trip will only be ruined if you let it! I have always wanted to try DLR in the rain, but so far have been foiled in my attempts. Rain will generally mean lots of people stay away from my understanding which means low crowds which is always a big plus!

 

[BELLEDOZER]

Both times I've visited DL the past couple of years I've had to deal with rain on both trips, including my solo trip to the mouse the beginning of Oct this year. Did it bother me??? Not in the least, since I had come prepared (thx to my Boy Scout DH), and had a blast anyway. Some of the rides do close during the down pours, but otherwise did not bother me in the least. In fact, I'm counting in rain for our upcoming trip to the mouse the beginning of Feb/11. Your trip is only ruined if you let it be. Just go, being prepared for the rain by bringing cheap disposable ponchos that you can buy in any dollar store and you'll be fine. Just knowing that you are going to the happiest place on earth is a good place to start, and have a good time despite the rain.

 

[gethane]

I'll be there the same time. Throw your best DL rain tips at me please! Kids have raincoats, but should I just get them cheap ponchos instead?

 

[planegirl99]

CRAP! Seriously? We will be there on the 17th/18th...GRRRR

Oh well - it rained last time (Nov) but it didn't last long, thank goodness. I think I do have Dora Ponchos in the Stow N Go part of my van somewhere...I guess I'll be digging those out for the girls and pack raincoats for me and DH.

Honestly - now that we have season passes, I just tell myself that we'll be going back soon if something goes wrong (we live in AZ)....LOL

We'll have fun!

 

[Mickeybell]

We just came back from Disneyland and on our first night (Sunday 12/5) it rained all night. Definately bring ponchos or buy some while you are there. I have been one other time when it rained during Feburary a few years back. That time we bought ponchos and the rain didnt slow us down one bit! This time I dont know what we were thinking, we didnt buy ponchos and just walked around in the rain. Well needless to say we were soaked through and frozen! (We ended up getting some Hot Coco and it was really yummy).
The ponchos made all the differance! So if you think there maybe rain in the forcast bring some with you. Otherwise I believe they are $7 each at the park.
Another tip I would give is to bring an extra pair of sneakers (if you dont have rain boots). The next morning on Monday I had the hairdryer out blow drying all our shoes!
If it rains just go with it and have fun! One good thing is the rides will have short lines! Have a magical trip!

 

[love2go2disney2]

We will be there from 19-23 too. At least we will be at Disneyland!!! Weather changes all the time, dont give up yet

 

[ironpig70]

We are coming from Oregon and are hoping it rains. Figure if it rains the crowds will be less.


Put on your rain coat and have fun.

 

[Elrasiel]

We're gonna b there from 17/18 as well and knowing the weather forecast I highly doubt theres going to b any rain at all.

 

[mom4scrapbooking]

We will be there the same time as well. I am hoping this means less crowds. I would love advice of what to pack for disneyland in the rain.

 

[Disney Dreams]

15 days out? WOW! I don't think I have ever checked a forecast 15 days ahead of time. In So Cal, a rain forecast 15 days out could mean anything - including sunshine.

That said, it IS December, which is one of our rainy seasons (if we have have one).

As for DLR in the rain - I would say ponchos and dry socks. Other than that, it's about attitude. The good news for you? Locals who have already enjoyed the Christmas decor and events for the season, will NOT pick a rainy day to go see it all again. So, that helps your crowd levels.

Scout out your places to dry out: Animation Academy, Innoventions, shops, restaurants.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[MattsPrincess]

We got one very rainy day last month. Crowds were so low we practically walked onto everything, right up to every character, so on.

We were lucky enough to be at one of the really close hotels, and to have the rain be on our world of color day. We were pretty miserable around 1pm (when the rain was the worst) so we grabbed our picnics and took them back to our room. We sat and ate while our pants and shoes dried, and we changed socks and grabbed different hoodies.

As long as you have some sort of rain gear, I think you'll be fine. We had a lot of fun day, all except the hour before we took our break, but it was our fault. We had no rain protection at all, so we were drenched to the bone and cold, not to mention a little grumpy. Had we prepared even a little, I doubt we even would have needed to take the break at all.

It'll be fine, and like others have said, 15 days out the forecast means NOTHING. The forecast for our days literally changed every day the whole week leading up to leaving, and not just by a little. It would go from a 40% chance of heave rain and 40 degrees, to 70 and sunny, and everything in between. It even kept changing WHILE we there. We were supposed to have 3 rainy days, and only really had the one.

 

[DVC'er]

We have gone in the rain and I think it is great. I wouldn't want it the whole time but a day or two would be fine since the crowds are soooo much smaller. Southern Cal can also get hit hard for a few hours then be great so just plan on some ponchos and be prepared to have some fun.

 

[nana50]

Wait until one or two days before for a realistic weather report. It is 80 and sunny here today.

 

[gethane]

What is this 15 days out? It's the 11th. I'm arriving on the 17th.

 

[jason417]

I'm going the weekend of the 18th as well. I'm waiting a few more days before I start planning for rain. Accuweather.com is currently predicting 1.6" and 39 hours of rain over the two days, while weather.com says there's only a 40% chance of rain on Saturday and 60% chance on Sunday. That seems like a big difference, one site predicting quite a storm and the other essentially predicting mild rain. Plus, both were predicting rain for the middle of the week as well and now those days have been changed to sun.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Not to be a party pooper, but just to add a little realism (to help you avoid disappointment), I thought you should know that when it rains, the outdoor entertainment is generally cancelled. Therefore, definitely plan to see fireworks, parades, Fantasmic! the very first showing possible when it's not raining. We were there last December and it rained about half the days we were there. We were able to see fireworks, but ended up missing the parade and F! because of rain.

That said, however, we had a grand time and the rain just added another dimension to the trip that we'll never forget. We're going for a simple one day trip on the 21st and I won't let rain stop us from having a wonderful time.

 

[GoofyDadude]

Bring on the rain...... I may still wear shorts and a tank top... but with a ponch to. Will I look silly..... most likely...... but I do not care cuse I will be at Disneyland.

We will be there from the 17th to 26th as well with a 6 day hooper. My real concerne is missing some of the outdoor enterainment. If so, we will deal with it. I will make my own entertaiment... I'll be the guy wearing shorts, tank top with GOOFY on it wearing a ponch... and splashing in the puddles..... and I am 48 years old.... I dont care.

Like others have said, it is all about attitude..... and being prepared.... HAVE A BLAST.... RAIN OR NO RAIN

Now if you have little ones, that could be a bummer.... not the little ones of course, just dealing with the rain. I tried to get my daughter to let me bring my granddaughter who is now 8 months old..... she wont let me..... thats a buzz kill....... Oh well, maybe someother time ;-)

 

[smile4stamps]

What is this 15 days out? It's the 11th. I'm arriving on the 17th.

You mentioned in your first post a 15 day forecast.. That is why people have been saying 15 days...


As far as rain ruining your trip. It shouldn't! I was there in October and I think it rained at least a little all but one of my days. The last day is when it rained the most. An awesome tip I learned was if it is raining the Jedi Training Academy doesn't go on because it is too slipeery. Instead they will have several of the characters out for a meet & greet! Since I am not a kid this was better for me!

Take advantage of what you can do. Bring extra shoes and socks.. Or rain boots and have fun!

 

[MAH4546]

I was at Disneyland in the rain last Sunday. We walked onto every ride, rode Dumbo three times in a row, the Matterhorn, Space and Thunder Mountain twice in a row and had a private Jungle Cruise tour.

Fantasmic! also shows during the rain to sparse crowds, unless there is lightning.