Rain at TDR

[GrandBob]

We'll only be in Tokyo for 2 full days (3 nights), and are planning just one day at TDR (probably TDS). I now see they're predicting rain for one of those days, plus the morning of the 2nd day. Hence my question.

Is TDR like DLR in California, where rain keeps away the crowds and is thus actually desirable? In other words, am I better off planning to go to TDS on the (more) rainy day, or on the day when rain is only predicted for the morning? Keep in mind, for the day we don't go to TDS, we'll want to sightsee around Tokyo.

Thanks, Bob.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

In my experience, rain was a good thing. It was only drizzling in the morning and cleared into a beautiful day around 1pm, but that was enough to keep the crowds away. Many of the TDS rides were walk-on that day.

 

[Agent 86]

In my limited experience, rain can be a good thing. But, it really depends upon what else is going on. If you attend at the same time as a special event or the opening of a new ride / parade / something else, then it may not make much of a difference.

The rain can also impact ride operation. Big Thunder Mountain was usually closed at the slightest hint of rain. I can't recall what was impacted at Disney Sea. I think it was Raging Spirits and possibly Journey? I know I rode the little roller coaster in the Little Mermaid area in the rain. Same with the flying carpet ride (although I think they closed it shortly thereafter due to the rain).

So, while the rain can keep the crowds away, it will also drive whatever crowds there are to a more limited selection of rides.

Ultimately, I think being at Disney Sea in the rain would be more pleasant then being out and about in Tokyo during the rain. That's because you can easily get under shelter, etc when needed at Disney Sea. That may not be an option for general sightseeing. So, I would probably go to Disney Sea when it's supposed to rain and keep the "clear" day for seeing Tokyo.

 

[aussie shaz]

Our day at TDS in April rained all day. Literally ALL DAY. We woke up to rain. We stood in the queue in the rain, with water puddling around our feet. We walked in the rain, rode rides in the rain, ran from shelter to shelter in the rain.
In our case, although we could walk onto literally every ride, I would have preferred no rain.
Everyone says how beautiful TDS is, but I just couldn't appreciate it at all. There were no shows on. No characters walking around. No food carts etc. Although we had a great time and experienced all the rides, we really didn't experience the park as such.
So, I guess it really depends on how much rain we're talking.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

In my experience rain definitely keeps some of the crowds stay away. I actually prefer the rain because I am inpatient and don't like waiting a long time in line

 

[MomoMama]

When are you going? I don't have experiences, but I heard you can have the park all to yourself on a rainy weekday in January.

While that sounds great, I think I would not go on a super-cold rainy day.

 

[disneyobsessed808]

It rained on the first day of our TDR visit, and it was definitely the best day for touring. Walked onto rides in the morning, and even later, we had mush shorter waits than I had in previous trips. Lines were much shorter than subsequent days. Even during the rain, big thunder was operating.

 

[NeedsNEscape]

It rained on us at Tokyo Disney when I was there in August and it was welcome because it was really hot and humid all over Japan. Fortunately you can buy ponchos and umbrellas all over both parks. We did one day at DisneySea and one day at Tokyo DisneyLand. But I agree with one of the earlier posting that it would be sad to miss the great outside shows in front of the Castle (TDL) and in front of the bay(TDS). That was really cool since it was in Japanese, but you could relate to all of the Disney words (English).