Rain and ride closures

Lvsdisney

DIS Veteran
Joined
Aug 30, 2015
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We're going to be in WDW this weekend and the weather forecast looks awful. I'm trying to stay positive, but I'm also concerned about ride closures due to rain/lightning.

Do any rides close if it's only raining?

How about lightning- I would assume any ride/attraction that is outdoors, but do any indoor rides close because of lightning?

I'm preparing for the worst (rain jackets/ponchos) but hoping it won't be a bad as forecasted!!
 
Outdoor attractions will close if there is lightning. Any LL's that are valid during a ride closure will turn into a multipass.

We've been at Disney often in the rain (we visit in the late summer) and still had a great time! Sounds like you're going in well prepared! Have fun!
 
Outdoor attractions will close if there is lightning. Any LL's that are valid during a ride closure will turn into a multipass.

We've been at Disney often in the rain (we visit in the late summer) and still had a great time! Sounds like you're going in well prepared! Have fun!
Thank you! I'm hoping the rain won't be as bad as forecasted, but even a rainy day at Disney is better than a day at home 😆
 
Most rides will continue to operate in the rain only (no lightning). The only one I know that closes in just rain is Test Track, but that's down for refurb anyway. Indoor and covered rides do not close due to lightning (something that is open but covered like Alien Swirling Saucers will operate). TRON is covered and will operate even with lightning (so I have been told).

Do note that just becuase a ride is operating does not mean it'll be good. I've been on Big Thunder in a driving rain and it wasn't that pleasant! 🤣
 
We're going to be in WDW this weekend and the weather forecast looks awful. I'm trying to stay positive, but I'm also concerned about ride closures due to rain/lightning.

Do any rides close if it's only raining?

How about lightning- I would assume any ride/attraction that is outdoors, but do any indoor rides close because of lightning?

I'm preparing for the worst (rain jackets/ponchos) but hoping it won't be a bad as forecasted!!
FL weather is very weird. It will say rain chance 50% and not rain a drop the day of. I would check back Friday and it may have changed.
 
FL weather is very weird. It will say rain chance 50% and not rain a drop the day of. I would check back Friday and it may have changed.

Also remember that the % is for the forecast area, which is larger than just WDW. So it well could have rained in another part of the area the forecast covers.
 
It's all about the lightning. When I was there on the 4th of July, just about all the outdoor attractions in the Magic Kingdom, including the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (which I failed to get on) and Autopia, were all closed off when the lightning struck. I did see the indoor attractions like Under the Sea run without any delays.

The usual rules regarding lightning in largely outdoor settings including in WDW is any lightning around a 6 mile radius shuts outdoor attractions down and they have to wait at least 30 minutes before everything starts back up. If another lightning flash is spotted, the clock resets and they wait longer.
 
The usual rules regarding lightning in largely outdoor settings including in WDW is any lightning around a 6 mile radius shuts outdoor attractions down and they have to wait at least 30 minutes before everything starts back up. If another lightning flash is spotted, the clock resets and they wait longer.

Same as the rules that should apply to pools and water parks.
 
Also remember that the % is for the forecast area, which is larger than just WDW. So it well could have rained in another part of the area the forecast covers.
Very true. But even within property, it could be pouring raining at Epcot meanwhile there’s not a cloud in the sky at MK. That’s FL weather for you.

OP, as others have said it’s the lightning more so than the rain that shuts things down. Depending on where you’re staying it could impact your transportation—boat transportation and the Skyliner will shut down if lightning is detected within a certain radius, even if you don’t see any at your location. Either way I would not stress out about it.
 
So far it looks like it will mostly be light showers in the evening. Enough to make the cool temperatures feel cold, but probably not enough to cause problems.
 
Very true. But even within property, it could be pouring raining at Epcot meanwhile there’s not a cloud in the sky at MK. That’s FL weather for you.

OP, as others have said it’s the lightning more so than the rain that shuts things down. Depending on where you’re staying it could impact your transportation—boat transportation and the Skyliner will shut down if lightning is detected within a certain radius, even if you don’t see any at your location. Either way I would not stress out about it.

I was once waiting on the Monorail at Epcot when lightning actually hit the beam! That kept them shut down for a long time and we ended up having to run for a bus in a downpour. Usually the Monorail does operate, unless there is a hit like that - then they need to check everything out I guess. That was a particularly bad storm though.
 
I was once waiting on the Monorail at Epcot when lightning actually hit the beam! That kept them shut down for a long time and we ended up having to run for a bus in a downpour. Usually the Monorail does operate, unless there is a hit like that - then they need to check everything out I guess. That was a particularly bad storm though.
I have heard that happens from time to time! It’s very rare though. Luckily I haven’t encountered it on my monorail resort stays. Boats yes, but nothing like that.
 
I'm a little worried about the lightning Sunday. The upside is that most people that leave don't come back.

Summertime showers can actually be refreshing. And we were there in May once when it drizzled for 3 days straight, but most everyone just put ponchos on and kept going.

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The best is when it's a week of gorgeous weather with just one crap day in there. That crap day is great for low waits & no crowds, since most people restructure their plans to avoid the crap weather. If it's a whole week of crap days, people pretty much have to suck it up and deal, and go out anyways.
 
I'm a little worried about the lightning Sunday. The upside is that most people that leave don't come back.

Summertime showers can actually be refreshing. And we were there in May once when it drizzled for 3 days straight, but most everyone just put ponchos on and kept going.

View attachment 930144
I made the unfortunate mistake of leaving early from SeaWorld. Don’t do it here, since the crowd lowerings are essentially free Lightning Lane to you.
 
I would be more concern with how cool it is suppose to be Mon-Wed. Brrrrrrr....make sure you bring your layers for walking around.
There's a low of -2 at home, so I'll take whatever Orlando has to offer. :)

It's unfortunate that the week went from being Cloudy/Mostly-Cloudy to more rain.
 













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