Rain is here at DL (1/5), plan accordingly

[xenon2000]

When I worked at Knott's in the late 90's, we used to close if there was less than 1000 people in the park 2 hours after opening. I remember literally counting down and waiting for the announcement to come in over the radio....

I saw that Knott's was closed yesterday I think, due to weather. I was in Knott's early Dec and it was a ghost town, then the next day went to Disneyland and it was packed! There is a reason that a year pass at Knott's is cheaper than a single day at Disneyland. lol. I enjoy Knott's with my family in it's own way. But the value plays a big factor in that too.

 

[Mikimouse]

Today the outside rides we rode while it was raining were BTMRR, RSR, Splash, It's a small world and Matterhorn. Rain pants really saved the day! I think all the parades were cancelled but the fireworks are going on right now.

 

[BigCheese]

odd, weather.com shows partly sunny on Friday, high chance of rain Sat, and maybe rain on Sun. So I figured it won't be as bad as it has been today and yesterday. Either way, I just bought our family $90 worth of rain suits... so I kind of want it to rain now. Just enough to hopefully deter some crowds, but not enough to keep rides closed the whole day. lol.

The local weather forecast here in LA concurs with what you see on Weather.com. Forecast in LA and Anaheim is clear on Friday. Showers on Saturday. Definitely not worse than what we got the past two days that's for sure.

 

[LizzyS]

Do you guys wear anything under the rain pants or are they warm enough if it's a bit chilly (really thinking about after the sun goes down)? I'm thinking about rain pants AND waterproof shoes of some sort now, due to El Nino. Anyone have any shoes to recommend also?

 

[MommyLove]

HIGHLY recommend plastic pants over warm wear as well as waterproof footwear of some kind for when there's lots of rain at DL (like there was yesterday and Tuesday). We were there yesterday and while we had decent ponchos/jackets that went down to our knees, we were soaked and very cold from the knees down and it was MISERABLE.

 

[sherilaine]

Do you guys wear anything under the rain pants or are they warm enough if it's a bit chilly (really thinking about after the sun goes down)? I'm thinking about rain pants AND waterproof shoes of some sort now, due to El Nino. Anyone have any shoes to recommend also?

Yes, you should wear something underneath the rain pants - otherwise it can be quite cold and damp, which is not fun. You also want the option to take them off if the weather changes!

I'd be curious about the shoe recommendations.

 

[LizzyS]

Yes, you should wear something underneath the rain pants - otherwise it can be quite cold and damp, which is not fun. You also want the option to take them off if the weather changes!

I'd be curious about the shoe recommendations.

Now wait, how good are the rain pants if they're "damp" underneath the pants? Cold I get, but "damp"? Are rain pants really any better than the old school "swishy" adidas pants?

 

[sherilaine]

Now wait, how good are the rain pants if they're "damp" underneath the pants? Cold I get, but "damp"? Are rain pants really any better than the old school "swishy" adidas pants?

If it's cold and all you have on is rain pants, then I'd feel damp, just because they fit very loose so a lot of opportunity for air to get in there - so maybe damp is not the right word, but I find California damp compared to dry Calgary anyway. I just would not wear them alone - by having leggings or other pants on you now have layers and can have warm air between your pants and the rain pant. I have never used them in DLR - but have used them hiking and honestly the biggest reason is because weather changes and they are not something you'd wear sun up to sun down.

 

[Satchmo128]

Sounds like a different Disneyland adventure is in store for many visitors over the next few weeks!
When we were there in December, we were poured on one night and it was definitely miserable since we were not prepared (and it wasn't in any forecast that we had seen). But, more than the rain, it was the wind that made things really bad. Cold + rain + wind is not a super fun combination for Disney, unfortunately
IMO

 

[Bud Ice]

This looks like mighty comfortable for rain gear,
don't know if it'll make it through the metal detector.

Half-Marathon anyone?

 

[lvdis]

We were there this week and it rained significantly on Tues/Wed. Monday was sunny and nice but super crowded. The nice thing about the rain was lower crowds/wait times. Make sure you do weather sensitive things early on if there is nice weather. We didn't watch the Christmas parade on Monday because it was so crowded and we planned to see it the next day when we took the Christmas time tour. The parade was canceled both Tues and Wed so we missed it completely. We are back home today and must have brought the rain with us and it's supposed to turn to snow later today!

We had Paradox rain suits and were all very comfortable in them! Here's a link to what my husband had - http://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Beyond-Limits-Waterproof-Jacket/dp/B00GVGW1GI, my daughter and I bought Paradox pants and jackets for women separately on ebay. We stayed completely dry and it made all the difference. Having rain pants is great because everywhere you sit it will be wet. We just wore jeans under the rain pants and it worked out fine.

My husband's waterproof hiking shoes kept his feet dry, but the ones my daughter and I had didn't work as well. I think ours must have just been water resistant. It was better than regular tennis shoes but still let some water in during the downpours and standing water we couldn't avoid. Here's the shoes he has (Hi-Tec Bandera waterproof hiking shoes) - http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1924111/hi-tec-bandera-mens-low-top-waterproof-hiking-shoes.jsp?skuId=Hi-Tec+Bandera+Men's+Low-Top+Waterproof+Hiking+shoes&search=Hi-Tec+Bandera+Men's+Low-Top+Waterproof+Hiking+shoes&submit-search=web-regular. This is the type of shoe my daughter and I had and didn't work so well - http://www.amazon.com/Merrell-Womens-Hiking-Castle-Purple/dp/B00D1R0XME/ref=sr_1_2?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1452364060&sr=1-2&nodeID=679337011&keywords=azura+hiking+shoe+women&refinements=p_89:Merrell. She even slipped and fell a few times so the traction on them wasn't good unfortunately.

Be prepared for rain and you can have a great time. The parks were very UNbusy during those 2 rainy days and we had lots of fun going on attractions will little to no wait. Be careful riding California Screamin in the rain though, the rain stings when it hits your face at those speeds!

 

[Disneyluv111]

I was really looking forward to going to DL. But I just canceled our trip. I know for some the rain doesn't matter but my hubby and daughter hates it. I want it to be a wonderful sunny trip. We will go in the summer.

 

[arcadiandj]

We are headed there this weekend-only seeing 10% probability of precipitation. Bringing rain gear, but no rain footwear (Couldn't find any covers and didn't want to buy something new and have to break it in [we are from Arizona]). Wish us luck, or give us your thoughts. TIA

 

[DLgal]

I was really looking forward to going to DL. But I just canceled our trip. I know for some the rain doesn't matter but my hubby and daughter hates it. I want it to be a wonderful sunny trip. We will go in the summer.

Hate to break it to you, but it rained several times last summer in Anaheim. You can never guarantee no rain.

 

[mich311e]

Any suggestions for umbrellas? Do you bring one? Are there any cute umbrellas for sale at Disneyland? I need a new one and might wait to buy one there if available. We're going at the end of January.

 

[sherilaine]

I was really looking forward to going to DL. But I just canceled our trip. I know for some the rain doesn't matter but my hubby and daughter hates it. I want it to be a wonderful sunny trip. We will go in the summer.

That is too bad. Personally I'd rather a few rainy days in February when it's not that crowded to the summer heats and crowds that come with them. Perhaps go end of April or early May before it gets too hot and crowded but when you are pretty much guaranteed some nice weather?

 

[sherilaine]

Any suggestions for umbrellas? Do you bring one? Are there any cute umbrellas for sale at Disneyland? I need a new one and might wait to buy one there if available. We're going at the end of January.

Umbrellas are awful things, I'd bring one with you - in case it happens to be raining when you are waiting your first day to get into the park. I also think a good umbrella bought outside the park is likely cheaper than a crappy umbrella bought within!!

 

[ten6mom]

Any suggestions for umbrellas? Do you bring one? Are there any cute umbrellas for sale at Disneyland? I need a new one and might wait to buy one there if available. We're going at the end of January.

I think they are selling light saber ones!!!!

 

[ten6mom]

We are headed there this weekend-only seeing 10% probability of precipitation. Bringing rain gear, but no rain footwear (Couldn't find any covers and didn't want to buy something new and have to break it in [we are from Arizona]). Wish us luck, or give us your thoughts. TIA

I am also going to be there from Arizona this weekend! I could not find bigger boys' rain boots here or online, so instead of getting sneakers wet (potentially), I opted for generic crocs. They can handle wet feet as long as they have the opportunity to dry them periodically instead of soaking in wet socks and shoes all day. For myself, I have rain boots. I also got ponchos for all.

Having said that.... I don't expect enough rain this weekend to have to need any of it.

 

[jpessa]

I am also going to be there from Arizona this weekend! I could not find bigger boys' rain boots here or online, so instead of getting sneakers wet (potentially), I opted for generic crocs. They can handle wet feet as long as they have the opportunity to dry them periodically instead of soaking in wet socks and shoes all day. For myself, I have rain boots. I also got ponchos for all.

Having said that.... I don't expect enough rain this weekend to have to need any of it.

I'll be there from AZ as well! No rain gear but changes of clothes, shoes and socks and have good ponchos. Hoping for the best, but not worried about it. Any time in the park is better than none!