Rain during MNSSHP...tips?

[allybabba98]

This will be our first time attending one of the parties and with all the great info on the DIS I am super pumped for it! However, I am curious if anyone has gone when it has rained...any tips you could give me would be appreciated.

It will be DH, myself and our three boys. Have you ever decided it just wasn't worth it with the rain? I don't really have a plan for the party so I am open to any and all suggestions.

Thanks.

 

[mom2rtk]

First tip..... if it rains enough to cancel major elements (parade, shows, fireworks) stop by guest relations before leaving. They have been known to offer tickets to another night.

 

[patrickpiteo]

We were lucky last year saw first parade with VSS reserved parade spot. Then started to rain about 10 PM so the second parade was canceled. We got all in we wanted to do and then 12 Am want into the VSS.

 

[bc7ate9]

One of the parties we went to last year had rain all afternoon and into the evening. A lot of people left and were able to attend the next party, so that's an option. We stayed and ate and went on rides and stuff (no lines anywhere) and the rain cleared by 8 PM - everything else went as scheduled (except Headless Horseman before the parade because of the wet ground) and it was a grogeous night. The 7 Dwarfs were meeting inside, but they moved outside once the weather improved - I imagine they have a back up plan like that for all the characters.

 

[Indio]

We went to MNSSHP during the rain one year. I have to admit - it wasn't as much fun as a non-rain night. The 1st parade was cancelled and I can't remember if they had the 2nd one or not. I know the horseman didn't ride because the streets were too wet and they said it would be too dangerous. The fireworks were delayed, and they still hadn't done them when we left around 11:30. People that were in costume were just miserable - had to cover their costumes with ponchos! Now if it's just light, spotty rain showers, go ahead - you'll be fine. If it's a washout, I'd see if they are giving rain checks. We found out the next day, that they were giving rain checks the night we were there, but you had to get them at the party and they wouldn't give them to you the next day so we lost out.

 

[nkereina]

Rain is definitely a bummer. We tried to tough it out during our rainy MVMCP last year, but ended up just buying the Disney ponchos from one of the stores on Main St. I will say they were definitely worth it and thought they were good quality. It worked out well for us to buy them when we needed them, rather than carrying them around when we didn't need them.

 

[patrickpiteo]

Like OP have said if it rains really bad go ask for a refund to another party date..

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

The only MNSSHP we went to had rain. It did not start raining until after the first parade, so we saw the first parade, with horseman riding before. We were lined up front to watch the villains show, it started and we were thrilled...and a light rain started and the show just abruptly stopped like two minutes into the show It really started raining, so we moved over under the overhang by the water fountains. It kind of drizzled all night, but the fireworks went off and we still had a great time. It let up enough where you didn't really get wet, but just kind of damp. I learned a valuable lesson, don't wait for the second of anything as it may not happen. That's why I will not wait for the second parade etc. on this trip. We should have watched the first villains show as that was the only one that night.

 

[DisneyMooners2010]

Both years we have done this, it has poured down rain. We've yet to see the first parade or the horseman. At first we got upset, but then decided to head to the rides. Going from ride to ride kept us dry-ish and there were absolutely no lines! You just have to make the best of it.

This year we were going to avoid buying tickets until the day of the party to see what the weather is but... Somehow we booked the dessert party and then went ahead and bought tickets. I'm 120% certain it will storm on Sept 20th now! Ha! My point is- even if it pours, we know we will have a good time and lots of fun memories.

 

[Raenstoirm]

We got really lucky a few years back. It POURED till about 7 so many people didn't show up. We were having dinner in the castle just watching the poor people float down the street. By 8pm it was perfect and totally empty. Probably our best party to date. Last year it rained both parties we attended. Yeah, not fun. Lines were short, but it was just ick.

 

[busymommy2pink]

We went to the MNSSHP last September. We had dinner at WCC before and it was literally like a monsoon. I mean BUCKETS. The area by the buses was flooded. We put on ponchos and headed over. It started to clear up around 7:30-8, and we ended up having a BLAST!!!!!!! It was a light crowd, I'm guessing the weather played into that. But it didn't stop us from having a magical time. We rode Splash mountain 6 times without getting off. My 5 year old was over the moon. We made the most of it and had the greatest time.

 

[allybabba98]

Such great advice everyone! I think I should budget to buy Disney Ponchos as I know how cheap ones will not cut it. Hopefully it won't rain at all but if it does I hope we can still have a great time.

Cheers and thanks again.

 

[Bashful2]

We went to 2 parties last year and it poured off and on both times. We used umbrellas. It was much easier to put the umbrellas up and down as needed than to take the ponchos on and off. We just hung the umbrellas off of our backpacks when it wasn't raining.

 

[snowwhite84]

One of my best rain tips is make sure to go to the first parade if it is still on! Normally the best plan is to go to the later parade for less crowds, but on a rainy night you shouldn't chance it as it could always get canceled.

 

[Sammie]

If it rains hard enough to cancel events, you will want to try and get another ticket because it is miserable when it happens. I never buy my tickets in advance anymore due to this. We experienced horrible weather once for the Christmas party and we were leaving the next day and could not use a ticket to another night. A major waste of money.

I don't go to these parties to ride the rides as it is way too expensive and we have annual passes. If the weather is going to be so bad we can't enjoy the special events and they are cancelled I would rather stay home.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

If lightning hasn't caused it to shut down and you don't mind getting wet, ride Big Thunder.