Pacific Storm Maleficent - effect on the parks?

[DharmaLou]

That's the storm that is going to hit SoCal this weekend, specifically on Sunday. I'll, of course, be at the parks Saturday-Monday. They're talking about thunderstorms, winds and heavy rain.

At first I was ok with the forecasted rain for this weekend thinking the parks would be emptier, but now I'm starting to wonder just what will be open and running if there are strong showers and thunder/lightning this weekend?

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

I'll be there too. Our first day in the parks is Sunday and I'm hoping fireworks aren't canceled as that's the only day they're scheduled . I was also thinking rain would be ok for potentially less crowds but hope it isn't worse than that.

 

[DDhunter]

I was looking at the weather on my phone because it was so hot today, saw it was going to be 95 tomorrow and then my eyes popped when I saw the high of 56 on Tuesday. I thought it had to be a mistake, LOL. My favorite time at Disneyland is when it's raining, although a lot of rides do go down because of it.

 

[gsrieff]

Our first park day is Sunday, and I'm so worried.

 

[gsrieff]

We are allowed to bring umbrellas in to the parks, right?

 

[DDhunter]

Yes, you can bring an umbrella and if you don't have one they will be happy to sell you one.

In looking at several different sources, it doesn't sound like it's gonna be that bad. It says "showers" and "possibly" thunder storms. Sounds like the perfect time to go to Disneyland to me.

 

[gsrieff]

Yes, you can bring an umbrella and if you don't have one they will be happy to sell you one.

In looking at several different sources, it doesn't sound like it's gonna be that bad. It says "showers" and "possibly" thunder storms. Sounds like the perfect time to go to Disneyland to me.

Your positivity brings me some peace.

 

[ButterflyKisses77]

I agree. Doesn't look bad at all! Don't worry guys

 

[StormyCA]

Did they really name a storm 'Maleficent'? Sorry, I think it would be really cool to be at DL when 'Maleficent' hits town.

 

[cruisehopeful]

There will be lots of stuff open and you can just plan to do all the indoor rides on Sunday and if it turns out there isn't much rain, consider the outdoor things a bonus. Bring an umbrella and a raincoat or poncho if you have one. Some people will even bring a change of clothes to change at the end of the day.

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

Did they really name a storm 'Maleficent'? Sorry, I think it would be really cool to be at DL when 'Maleficent' hits town.

I was thinking the same thing

 

[figment_jii]

In addition to the items that cruisehopeful mentioned, I would also make sure to download a pretty good weather app (with radar) and bring a small hand towel (or grab lots of paper towels). We used the radar app last time we were in DLR when it was raining so we could judge when (and potentially how long) the breaks in the rain would be. That's when we either moved to the next place to wait out the rain or hopped in a line (remember that a number of the indoor attractions still have outdoor queues). We used the hand towel to mop up the water from chairs or seats depending on the attraction (again, remember that some people might track water onto indoor attractions ride vehicles, so we gave things a quick wipe before sitting down).

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

The day I bought my annual pass this past February it started pouring rain the minute we entered the park and never let up. (The forecast was "occasional showers," yeah right!). We still had a blast, I'll never forget it. The rain made for a challenge but it was fun. Even my 2-year-old wasn't fazed. We bought rain ponchos and they helped a lot! I had dry clothes with me to change my toddler into at the end of the night for the drive home. The Enchanted Tiki Room, It's a Small World, Haunted Mansion were great for escaping the rain. Most of the rides were up and running all day, including Dumbo. And it was seriously pouring. The only one I noticed was down much of the day was Teacups. One nice side effect of the rain was people bailed as the day went on so we didn't have to wait long for rides.

For what it's worth, we have been planning on going to DL this coming Monday and we will probably still go even if it's raining.

 

[mom2rtk]

Did they really name a storm 'Maleficent'? Sorry, I think it would be really cool to be at DL when 'Maleficent' hits town.

Says @StormyCA!

 

[mich311e]

I will be there chaperoning a group of middle schoolers Sunday and Monday. The forecast did look bad when I looked yesterday. But today weather.com is giving a 20% chance of rain on Sunday and Monday. I guess we'll know better on Saturday.

We went in February 2016 and it was raining and it was rather nice. Not as crowded. We bought some hooded windbreakers and umbrellas to take on that trip. Will take this time just in case, and I think I'll bring a handtowel as figment_jill suggested!

 

[DharmaLou]

No one has really addressed my question about what Disney does during actual lightning/thunder. I have no issue going when it rains, and I have many times, but never with a storm.

 

[gsrieff]

The forecast did look bad when I looked yesterday. But today weather.com is giving a 20% chance of rain on Sunday and Monday. I guess we'll know better on Saturday.

I was just coming here to report how drastically better the forecast looks! I am trying not to be overly happy...because obviously things can change within a 12 hour time period (example last night). BUT this is the closest we've been to the actual date, and this is the best I've seen it say its going to be all week. YAY!

 

[StormyCA]

Says @StormyCA!

Ha ha ha!! I didn't even think of that.

 

[Robinjay]

No one has really addressed my question about what Disney does during actual lightning/thunder. I have no issue going when it rains, and I have many times, but never with a storm.

We don't get much lightning/thunder here. If we do, it is in the foothills to the east and northeast of Disney. I suppose it "could" happen, but living here all of my life I can think if 10 times or less that we have had of these conditions. I suppose they would stop outdoor rides and possibly evac if needed. I can't think of a time this has happened though. Last two major rainstorm they closed both parks and downtown Disney early. This year we have had some major rainstorms for Orange County and our streets and systems are not made to handle them. They closed early because the parks were extremely empty and there was some flooding in areas (Main Street, Toon Town, Matterhorn, Entrance Plaza). Sure was fun there though.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I'm still skeptical about this "storm." It's super rare to get a decent storm in southern California in May. Not saying it won't happen, but I don't think it will be a "storm of the century" type thing. Anyway, my favorite days at Disneyland are rainy days. Not sure on thunder and lightning, but you'll probably be fine.