Rain and the parks?

[RKKUNK]

We will be at the parks next week and it looks like it is supposed to rain most of Tuesday. How will this affect the outdoor rides? (Which are most of the rides at DL/DCA, haha!)

 

[sherilaine]

We went in March of 2014 and we had quite a bit of rain our first few days - not down pour stuff but pretty steady - it was FANTASTIC. We found most of the rides still were operating as per usual though - but honestly that was back when there were a lot of rides being down frequently anyway so it was hard to know when a ride was down if it really had anything to do with the rain since so many rides were down when it was full on sunshine. I was surprised though to see a lot of the rides still going even when it was raining pretty hard so I don't think you should worry. Whatever rides might go offline during the rain will more than be made up with the lower lines you will see thanks to the weather.

 

[Ckkk]

It depends how hard it rains. The rain last week shut down Radiator Springs/Big Thunder intermittently and Story Book/Alice were closed for a bit longer. Screamin', however, never closed. If its heavy rain, I'd expect most outdoor rides to close.

While rain definitely sends some people packing, there are still fewer attractions for people to stand in line for increasing wait time. If its raining before 8am, you'll probably get shorter lines, its easier to pack it in when you're not there yet. If it rains anytime past 9 when it seems most families make it in to the park, they're probably going to stick with the rain.

 

[chickapin parterre]

....so for folks reading for info on further away visits then next week rain, the concept to remember is that the rain will be intense for 2016, so sturdy raingear should be packed rather than 1.00 ponchos. And that you will be out in the rain. I know that us folks from PNW tolerate rain but we don't stand in it for hours on end and I think that is the false security of "I can handle rain" will get most of us Disney visitors in trouble. Be prepared to stand in the rain, no dashing from a car to door, but an actual wet rain

 

[Masonmj84]

Starting to really worry about our Big Thunder Ranch BBQ ADR next Wednesday night. I've heard they shut it down if it's raining.

A big part of why we decided to go next week was to have one last meal there. The weather is supposed to clear up starting Thursday but we can't switch the ADR to another night because it's booked solid until it closes for good next week.

Starting to wonder whether I should cancel the ADR and book something else instead. Bummer.

 

[LGregg]

Starting to really worry about our Big Thunder Ranch BBQ ADR next Wednesday night. I've heard they shut it down if it's raining.

A big part of why we decided to go next week was to have one last meal there. The weather is supposed to clear up starting Thursday but we can't switch the ADR to another night because it's booked solid until it closes for good next week.

Starting to wonder whether I should cancel the ADR and book something else instead. Bummer.

I've got a reservation on Tuesday. It ain't looking good.

 

[RKKUNK]

Thanks everyone for the replies! We were at WDW last November and it rained all day on our Epcot day. We did okay with ponchos but it wasn't a cold rain like we get here in CA and is what is happening this coming week. We will make sure we pack extra shoes and socks and take some good ponchos and try to make the most of it. We are from central CA and the only thing that kinda worries me is mudslides on the Grapevine (hwy) from the fires.

 

[chickapin parterre]

.....and that is the hidden problem with all the rain forecast for 2016, are you physically, vacation time from work and economically prepared for the time it will take to drive out of southern n California......

 

[RKKUNK]

Well, we are just going to cancel the hotel reservations and go the following week since we have the luxury of being able to do that. The crowds will be smaller anyway and we went last month for Christmas and to get in some of the things that will be closed or going away forever (Aladdin).

 

[AZlady]

I'm going 1/8&1/9...I hate the rain ( happily living in the desert 18yrs)!
I am bringing extra clothes and staying very close....I know you all need rain, but how about just sprinkles

 

[chickapin parterre]

...so coming from Arizona you have no issues with flash floods destroying infrastructure to travel back to Arizona ???