Rain at WDW?

[SarahC97]

I see your signature - we'll be staying at the Polynesian too. It is a small world

I'll be at the Poly next week too! DVC studio! (Insert small world joke here)

 

[Momoftwins+1]

We had the best time at AK at the tail end of a hurricane a handful of years back. We had our ponchos on and did rides without lines all day. Great memories!!! It was July though so it was warm at least

 

[MomOfDisneyPrincess]

Prior to our first WDW trip in 2013, I heard all of the advice about putting on your poncho and riding out the rain. They said it only lasted 20 minutes or so. They lied! (Just kidding.) But seriously, we flew into Orlando with a storm front coming in. We watched the ominous clouds and lightening flashes while waiting for ME. No biggie, since it was our travel day. However, our first day in the parks was at Epcot and just as we crossed the lake to the far side, it began to pour. There was thunder and lightening, just like a good ol' Kansas thunderstorm. We tried to take shelter, but there was literally no room in any of the buildings or under the awnings. We pressed up against an overhang of a building and stayed there until the lightening ceased. The rain, however, lasted a good two hours. We were already drowned rats, even with ponchos on, so we headed back to the bus stop in the downpour. The water was rushing across low parts of the sidewalks like little rivers and sloshed up over our sneakers. It was miserable.

Then, our last full day, we went to Epcot and basically the same thing happened again! We were not fans of Epcot at that point.

But, it could just be me. I've been to the desert twice . . . and it rained both times! So, I must have some kind of weather curse on me.

 

[fla4fun]

Very very rare for it to rain all day. Plan for some brief afternoon showers.

Bring ponchos, windbreakers, or whatever else you think you might need..but this time of year, odds are you won't need them.

That depends entirely on why it’s raining.

This time of year, rain is usually tied to the movement of weather fronts through the area and the speed of movement determines how long it will rain. It could be a quick rain, or I have seen it take a couple days or more if the front stalls out right over us.

Brief afternoon showers are usually caused by sea breeze collisions due to hot weather. That’s why they occur pretty much every day in the summer. They are much more predictable than winter rains.

The one good thing about the winter rains is that they tend to be more moderate rain instead of the downpours we get in the summer.

OP, I would keep your plans and take the ponchos.

 

[DrankTheKool-Aid]

The best day of our first Disney trip there were scattered thunderstorms and rain showers for over half of the day. We had a morning reservation at BBB, a lunch reservation at BOG and dinner at CRT so we couldn’t scrap or reschedule our MK day. Even though we had to wear ponchos all morning many of the rides were a true walk on. We walked up to empty shells rolling by at Journey of the LM and then we were the only people meeting Ariel at her Grotto. Just before dinner the rain cleared and it was gorgeous. We stayed for the evening EMH and at one point we were walking through Adventureland and could not see a single person ahead of us or behind us. Our kids danced in empty streets in the hub during the kiss goodnight...it was a magical night and I’m sure we’ll never experience anything like it again!

 

[hllb]

We went the last week of September/first week of October last time we were at Disney. I didn't pay attention to what the weather might be like. I think our first day there, I needed to do a packet pickup for a race at Wide World of Sports. Then we planned to head to a dinner reservation at Disney Springs. The clouds opened up...it POURED at WWoS. It was crazy. The place flooded nearly instantly. We had to get to our reservation, so we were running through water that was at least 12" deep (no joking!). We were absolutely SOAKED. Made it to dinner and froze to death in the air conditioning LOL. The kids still remember it. We learned a lesson that day. The next day, same thing, we were in a park and it just started pouring in the afternoon for about an hour. We bought the Disney ponchos (yay, for those being such good quality!). And again, we ran through the park in the pouring rain to a dinner reservation in at least 6" deep water. This happened EVERY SINGLE DAY of our one week trip. But, the parks were pretty much empty, and once we accepted the fact that it would pour for about an hour every day, we were fine with it. We had a stroller so had somewhere to put the ponchos. We did end up buying a beach towel or two to keep warm in the air conditioned restaurants. Really, it wouldn't have been an issue if it weren't for dining reservations we needed to get to. They were always right when it was raining (thunder and lightning included). We were almost the only ones running through the parks in that weather. Everyone else was smart enough to stay indoors LOL.

 

[Tomh]

Next Sunday . . . anything much past two days away is too far for a weather forecast to be even remotely accurate. In addition, as others have said, first off, all day rains are really not the norm. It does happen, but more often than not, at least half of the day is dry. Secondly, the rain will keep the crowds down a bit, and you will still be able to enjoy the vast majority of the attractions. Also as others have pointed out, the Safari just after, or during a rain, is very likely to be a special treat, with lots of animal activity.

 

[2PrincessesRmine]

One of our favorite WDW memories was the time we did the Safari in the pouring rain. The animals were having a blast. They were splashing and playing and it was amazing!

 

[AFwifelife]

I love when it rains at WDW. We are locals though so used to the rain and storms. One trip we took when I was younger it actually rained for most of the week. We all donned our obnoxious yellow ponchos (yes this was quite a long time ago) and had a great time running from inside ride to inside ride. Don't let some rain kill your good time. Make the best of it!

 

[SarahC97]

What rides close if there's a thunderstorm?

 

[hertamaniac]

What rides close if there's a thunderstorm?

I believe that Test Track does shut-down during rain.

 

[LizGirl]

The rain is great for crowds, especially at this time of year since you don't normally have to deal with lightning. But it can definitely get chilly and rain more of the day than just a passing summer storm.

Pack extra shoes!!! We've starting wearing Keens sandals on days that have lots of rain in the forecast. I hate walking around in squishy wet sneakers and that normally gives me blisters.

Some of our best memories have been made in the rain and/or cold. Prepare as best you can and roll with it! Have a great time!

 

[kittyab]

We pack for rain no matter what. Ponchos, protectors for cellphones & cameras. Rain or shine we go. Small fold up umbrellas are handy too.

 

[subtchr]

We were at AK on January 3. It was cold and rainy all morning. As in 30s and 40s cold. But it turned into one of our favorite days.

Park opened at 8:00, and we (9 adults, and 3 little ones) had FP for FoP at 8:05. We were at the bus stop at AoA by 7:15, and in Pandora, ponchos on, by 7:45. We all rode Na'vi (the only people in line), and loved it -- and not just because it was dry! Then there was a bit of a break in the rain while we took turns using our FoP FPs (and getting rider swaps for later!), so the little ones had a chance to explore and play the drums, and we got some good pics.

We had KS FP for 9:30, and in the light rain, lots of animals were out. After riding, though, at that point all we really wanted was someplace warm and dry. If it had just been wet, we would have been fine, but it was COLD. So we took the train to Conservation Station/Rafiki's Planet Watch. It turned into one of our favorite family memories of the trip. Very few people were there, so the characters (Rafiki, Timon, Doc McStuffins, and Flik) interacted with our toddlers as if it was a private party. We all had so much fun! And the 11-month-old could crawl around where it was safe and dry. The exhibits were great, too. The vet procedure that morning was a CAT scan of a tortoise. We had intended to stay there for 20-30 minutes, but it was a good hour and a half before we left.

We had lunch at Satu'li Canteen, which has rapidly become one of my very favorite QS places in any park, then traded off using the rider swaps for FoP that we had gotten that morning. The rain became intermittent by early afternoon, and stopped by late afternoon. We did the plaza garden dessert party that night at MK. By then it was dry but VERY cold. Still fun!

 

[Mamapapa]

I hate to be the Debbie Downer here but we had a trip in Aug a few years back and forecast was 90% chance of rain every day. It rained. Every day. For HOURS. Sometimes it sprinkled, other times it poured. All our photos have us looking like wet rats! Again, I don't mean to be a pessimist, it's just I see posts like this one and everyone jumps on and says it's Florida! It's a quick shower! And that's simply not always the case. We wouldn't have survived that trip without our ponchos. It rained 9-% of the day every single day. And there were no hurricanes or reasons for the non-stop all week like rain either... we still had a ton of fun though!!

 

[kboo]

We frequently go in late summer and some trips have coincided with tropical storms... oh well. We invested in Disney ponchos long ago, and at least in late summer it's warm, so we wear waterproof sandals and just expect to be wet from the knees down. Wet socks and sneakers would be awful.

Another note - if you have a FP for a ride that's closed due to thunder, talk to guest services - they will usually give you a FP for another time.

 

[hllb]

I hate to be the Debbie Downer here but we had a trip in Aug a few years back and forecast was 90% chance of rain every day. It rained. Every day. For HOURS. Sometimes it sprinkled, other times it poured. All our photos have us looking like wet rats! Again, I don't mean to be a pessimist, it's just I see posts like this one and everyone jumps on and says it's Florida! It's a quick shower! And that's simply not always the case. We wouldn't have survived that trip without our ponchos. It rained 9-% of the day every single day. And there were no hurricanes or reasons for the non-stop all week like rain either... we still had a ton of fun though!!

No one is saying that can't happen. They are saying that the forecast is frequently wrong, especially when you are more than a day or two out. No reason to get upset about weather a week or more before your trip. Prepare for rain all day, and it'll likely not be as bad as that. But if it is that bad, you're at least prepared.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

I have been to AK in all day, sideways, down pouring rain. It's doable with ponchos and a sense of humor. Try and hit the shows to avoid the rain. We sat through 3 showings of FotLK in a row that day-the CMs weren't making anyone leave who wanted to stay dry. Still my favorite show at WDW

 

[pens4821]

What's everyones thoughts on wearing ponchos and not? We have some cheap dollar store ponchos, but I'm sure they won't last long. However, going out and getting better ones, it seems like they'd be a pain to carry around (the dollar store ones fold up nicely). Plus, with it being so humid, does wearing the poncho make you extremely hot? I wonder if it'd just be better to get wet. We are planning on breaks in the afternoons anyway, so even if we get wet we could change and don't have to be wet all day long.

 

[theone74733]

What's everyones thoughts on wearing ponchos and not? We have some cheap dollar store ponchos, but I'm sure they won't last long. However, going out and getting better ones, it seems like they'd be a pain to carry around (the dollar store ones fold up nicely). Plus, with it being so humid, does wearing the poncho make you extremely hot? I wonder if it'd just be better to get wet. We are planning on breaks in the afternoons anyway, so even if we get wet we could change and don't have to be wet all day long.

For the dollar store ponchos, you get what you pay for. They do work for the time being and you can throw them away when done. However, I find they don't last long for multiple uses as sometimes they tear or rip easily putting it on and taking it off. The Disney ponchos are made with better quality (heavier plastic) with buttons and have lasted me two trips already.

When I am touring the parks, I usually have a backpack so if the rain stops I flip the poncho inside out and place it in a plastic bag to store in my backpack (not heavy and doesn't take up a lot of room). That way it stays dry on the inside and makes it easier to put back on. Ponchos usually are not stuffy as the rain will normally drop temperatures a bit and it gets cooler with the rain. Big thing for me is switching from shoes to sandals once the heavy rain starts as I hate soggy socks/shoes.