Rain in the Forecast!

[DisneyMomChristine]

We leave on May 11th for our trip, and there is rain in the forecast! So, experts, locals, anyone....what does "scattered t-storms" and 60% chance mean in Orlando?

Do you think we still have a shot at some sun? Or at least a partially dry day? I know we will have a blast no matter what, and we are prepared with ponchos and a rain cover for the stroller....

I just want to try to figure out what we're in for...

 

[richmo]

This time of year, there's probably a decent chance of t-storms on any given day. T-storms are usually preceded by sun, so yes, you'll likely see plenty of sun too. Bring the ponchos and you'll be set. (If you're carrying a smartphone, load some kind of weather app so you can keep an eye on things)

 

[idofabric]

You are going to get wet.
I carry small press seal jewelery plastic bags from WalMart, or a craft store. They are a few dollars, and you get about 50 or more. I make sure they will fit my phone, and the families...The 4 inch by 6 inch work well for phones and a surprising number of other things!
I have a walking custom leather cast for my left foot, and it isn't suppose to get wet...but it does..haven't found a way to keep it dry yet. So if you have something that MUST stay dry just plan on doing an indoor show while the rain is coming down. A lot of times it is a stormy for a half hour then dry, but it can do that on and off all day!
A small, cheap umbrella is great! I have a few from the Dollar store in the lightest colors I can find! I also use it as a sun shade.
If worse comes to worse take a few large white/clear trash bags with you. We've used them as emergency ponchos, or to hold stuff that really needs to stay dry, and as a cover for the stroller years ago.

 

[iluveeyore]

One tip I learned the hard way - whatever day is most likely to rain, do NOT spend that time at Epcot - that is the worst park to be caught in a downpour in - it's a long way from one attraction to another, unless you just want to hang out in a gift shop, and world showcase doesn't have very many places to get out of the rain except restaurants and smaller gift shops. If you know you'll have a lot of rain to deal with, pick a park with a lot of attractions that are inside and close together, like MK of HS - an afternoon of seeing shows is a perfect rainy day solution.

 

[wuzzy6]

Rain ponchos are $8.50 in the parks and at the resorts.

 

[iluveeyore]

Rain ponchos are $8.50 in the parks and at the resorts.

And different colored ones are $1 at the Dollar Store and work just as well, and pack small! I buy everyone an extra one in case of rips, and it's still $7 cheaper each

 

[mmfox316]

This the part of FP+ I hate. We would alter our schedules based on the forecast. I think some parks are better than others in the rain. But with FP + I won't do that

 

[sixbitslocum]

This the part of FP+ I hate. We would alter our schedules based on the forecast. I think some parks are better than others in the rain. But with FP + I won't do that

If its raining, the need for any type of fastpass (old or new) is greatly reduced.

 

[dixiegirl]

It's honestly still too early to really look at the forecast with any amount of certainty - weather is so dynamic - 3 days out is about the max. I just looked at the forecast though from the 11th on - nothing higher than a 30% chance right now - and it will change like 100 more times before you go. I think you will find a good deal of sunshine with the daily passing shower or two as usual for FL. Pack the ponchos and some dry socks and head off to the parks! Hope you have a fabulous trip!

 

[ilovemyboysanddisney]

I bought a bunch of ponchos in the camping section at Walmart for under $1.00.
We also got the rain cover for the stroller we rented. I'm planning to take ziplock bags to put out cells/camera in, and also plan to pack a pair of flip flops so I can switch shoes to avoid mine from getting wet. DH and my kids wear keens so they should be okay.

 

[sunkissed4]

It's too early to tell. If it's over 50 percent then it's most likely going to storm later in the afternoon. It won't be a wash out, just bring ponchos.

 

[Bluegrrl]

Right now it has been beautiful and sunny. Hot in the afternoon and cool in the evening. Pack some ponchos or a raincoat, and that way you guaranty that it won't rain.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

We leave on May 11th for our trip, and there is rain in the forecast! So, experts, locals, anyone....what does "scattered t-storms" and 60% chance mean in Orlando?

Do you think we still have a shot at some sun? Or at least a partially dry day? I know we will have a blast no matter what, and we are prepared with ponchos and a rain cover for the stroller....

I just want to try to figure out what we're in for...

Do not give serious attention to an FL weather forecast that is more than a day or two out. Things change here weather-wise. Quickly. But this time of year, thunderstorms are fairly common in the afternoons, but they are usually short.

 

[sb682]

In the summer, it will be sunny in the mornings and scattered thunderstorms will pop up sometime between 1 and 5, pretty much every day. When I was younger, my family usually took breaks after lunch and went back to the room for naps and showers. We would go swimming if possible, but often there was lightning in the area and the pools will be closed during those times. We went back out around dinner time and generally avoided the rain. The pools are usually open late in warm weather, so if your family won't be staying until park close, you can go swimming before bed.

Now that I have my own family, I buy the disposable ponchos from the Walmart camping section, and I carry two every day in my backpack. We use them as needed, then toss them. DS has a reusable kids' poncho and I stuff it in a Ziploc bag when it gets wet. I let it dry in the shower when we get back to our room. I bought a rain cover for our stroller on Amazon, and it is so much easier than trying to keep it covered with a poncho or shower curtain liner.

 

[TimothyG]

Definitely buy your ponchos before arriving on property. Even at the insanely high prices, I've seen them run out of ponchos before (pretty rare but happens).

A few years ago, it rained every single day of the trip. There was some tropical storm remnants that just soaked Disney World every single day for a week. The best thing I did was wear swim trunks, flip flops and a shirt that could dry out quickly to the parks. That helped A LOT. Especially because some of the drainage is terrible and would completely drench a shoe in water.

Rain shouldn't close down much. Some rides may go down in thunderstorms for safety reasons, but the indoor rides continue to operate. Torrential downpours are also prime monorail riding times (or the TTA). Hop on board the monorail and just ride for an hour.

 

[MissouriPrincess]

The rain was wonderful for us last year! It cooled things off a little, and the people in the parks thinned out a lot. We had one evening with virtually no one in Epcot. Maybe I'm weird, but I'd rather have some rain than not. A complete downpour can be a bummer, but the parks are wonderful for awhile when the rain lessens or stops!

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Remember "Scattered Thunderstorms" usually means small pockets of storms.

It might rain at Universal, but not at Disney. MK might have 5 storms through the day...but DTD would have none.

 

[DisneyMomChristine]

I really appreciate everyone's feedback! I've already ordered 4 adult ponchos and 4 kid ponchos, along with a stroller rain cover. Thanks to Amazon Prime, I will have them tomorrow. There are only 2 adults and 2 kids in our family, but I figured some might rip....

You have all made me feel better about the forecast...I'm praying it changes a bit for the better, but if it rains, we will embrace it and have a blast. It's Disney! A rainy day at Disney is better than a rainy day at home, right???

 

[jharaldson]

There are only 2 adults and 2 kids in our family, but I figured some might rip....

They will rip. My experience is they are good for 1 day, maybe 2. They also don't fold up ever again as nicely as they were in the package.

 

[pigletgirl]

I would expect rain, everyday. Be prepared. Nothing like being in a downpour with nothing to keep you dry.