Ok, so, normally I wouldn't even think to post about rain in <GASP> Florida in <<DOUBLE GASP>>early October, but I thought If I posted about our day, it might put some peoples minds at ease about the rest of the week.
Anyway, the early part of the day was BEAUTIFUL! Crowds at EPCOT and DHS were very manageable, but it was one of those "It's gonna rain any minute" days, so whenever we left the stroller in the open, we covered it with the rain cover. Sure enough, during our noonish lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby the skies opened up. Check the stroller grab the camera, everything's good and we turn lunch into a LONG lunch and when we finish, the rain is mostly passed. Lesson learned #1, cover that stroller! Our Little One is almost 4 so we tend to park the stroller and leave it for long stretches and then only grab it when we have to move from park to park ... Even if it looks sunny or you've got it under cover, cover it with a poncho or the rain guard. You never know where it will be when you come back. CM's were moving strollers tonight at the HAunted Mansion from under the awning to a completely exposed area and then it started to rain again, Yikes!
ANyway, Dinner at Kona and then Monorail to the party a little after 7pm. As we are going down the ramp, the skies open up and I mean OPEN UP! Get a little drenched navigating the bag check and the ticket/arm band gauntlet and then it really starts to pour ... end of the world, send the ark pour. Hubby's got the stroller and he's trying to wrestle out ponchos and rain guards. I do what any good wife would do and abandon him. Grab the pre-schooler under the arms and run with her screaming and me hysterically laughing across the front concourse in a drenching downpour from the turnstiles to the covered area on the right by the lockers. I ran fast and we were wet, but not soaked. Get settled and reunite with Hubby and then begin debating leaving. We've got 3 more days in Orlando and even the possibility of another party day on Monday, so maybe we just cut bait and head back to the monorail. But then we decide to stay, which leads to Lesson #2, never give up on a good day at Disney!
We decide to stay and I have to say we had a great night. It rained for the next hour or so and we rode Pirates of the Caribbean and did some shopping. The rain had diminished to a mist, so, Poncho-clad, we decided to scope out a spot for the parade. The crowd was really light, and, frankly, most people were wandering around not sure what to do. Around 8:00 pm we walked out to the very front of the parade route, on the Splash side, and lined up right at the rope. It continued to be wet and misty, with patches of rain, but the kid was happy playing with her stuffed animals and being amused by the rain cover on the stroller. The parade was late and soggy, but because the rain kept the crowd so light, most people walked up 5-10 minutes before showtime and still got a good view. Apparently, many, many people are afraid of the rain, because the park was EMPTY in comparison to the party last night. So, the parade started right around 8:30 and it was amazing. The kid loved it and I loved it ... and i'm telling you something that I don't usually admit, I am NOT a parade person. I can't get over how Disney manages to make something spooky, but not scary! The kiddo reached for my hand a couple of times, but she had a blast. The parade ended and much to my surprise, DD requested one last ride on the Haunted Mansion and, even more surprisingly, we complied. From this point on in the night, it did not rain significantly any more, despite something like a 50-60% chance forecast. However, the rain continued to have an effect on the evening. We decided to bolt after the Haunted Mansion, since we'd been in the parks since 8:50 am this morning and had seen Hallowishes the previous night. As we made it out of the HM, they give the 5 minute warning on Hallowishes. The lights dim as we cross the bridge in front of Crystal Palace and the first fireworks erupt as we hit mid-main street. There was no one in our path ... no one to dodge, no crowds. We simply walked out ... we even used the rest room, got candy and we're still sitting on the monorail before the show was over. In fact, we had a great view as we left the MK and headed into the contemporary.
We were dry in our room at the GF by 10, with the kid asleep and a really nice day under our belt. My point is, I know the weather is predicted to be worse over the next two days, but never, ever give up on a good day at Disney World. You won't be disappointed, I promise!
Anyway, were here now if anyone has questions or needs a little recon!!!
Anyway, the early part of the day was BEAUTIFUL! Crowds at EPCOT and DHS were very manageable, but it was one of those "It's gonna rain any minute" days, so whenever we left the stroller in the open, we covered it with the rain cover. Sure enough, during our noonish lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby the skies opened up. Check the stroller grab the camera, everything's good and we turn lunch into a LONG lunch and when we finish, the rain is mostly passed. Lesson learned #1, cover that stroller! Our Little One is almost 4 so we tend to park the stroller and leave it for long stretches and then only grab it when we have to move from park to park ... Even if it looks sunny or you've got it under cover, cover it with a poncho or the rain guard. You never know where it will be when you come back. CM's were moving strollers tonight at the HAunted Mansion from under the awning to a completely exposed area and then it started to rain again, Yikes!
ANyway, Dinner at Kona and then Monorail to the party a little after 7pm. As we are going down the ramp, the skies open up and I mean OPEN UP! Get a little drenched navigating the bag check and the ticket/arm band gauntlet and then it really starts to pour ... end of the world, send the ark pour. Hubby's got the stroller and he's trying to wrestle out ponchos and rain guards. I do what any good wife would do and abandon him. Grab the pre-schooler under the arms and run with her screaming and me hysterically laughing across the front concourse in a drenching downpour from the turnstiles to the covered area on the right by the lockers. I ran fast and we were wet, but not soaked. Get settled and reunite with Hubby and then begin debating leaving. We've got 3 more days in Orlando and even the possibility of another party day on Monday, so maybe we just cut bait and head back to the monorail. But then we decide to stay, which leads to Lesson #2, never give up on a good day at Disney!
We decide to stay and I have to say we had a great night. It rained for the next hour or so and we rode Pirates of the Caribbean and did some shopping. The rain had diminished to a mist, so, Poncho-clad, we decided to scope out a spot for the parade. The crowd was really light, and, frankly, most people were wandering around not sure what to do. Around 8:00 pm we walked out to the very front of the parade route, on the Splash side, and lined up right at the rope. It continued to be wet and misty, with patches of rain, but the kid was happy playing with her stuffed animals and being amused by the rain cover on the stroller. The parade was late and soggy, but because the rain kept the crowd so light, most people walked up 5-10 minutes before showtime and still got a good view. Apparently, many, many people are afraid of the rain, because the park was EMPTY in comparison to the party last night. So, the parade started right around 8:30 and it was amazing. The kid loved it and I loved it ... and i'm telling you something that I don't usually admit, I am NOT a parade person. I can't get over how Disney manages to make something spooky, but not scary! The kiddo reached for my hand a couple of times, but she had a blast. The parade ended and much to my surprise, DD requested one last ride on the Haunted Mansion and, even more surprisingly, we complied. From this point on in the night, it did not rain significantly any more, despite something like a 50-60% chance forecast. However, the rain continued to have an effect on the evening. We decided to bolt after the Haunted Mansion, since we'd been in the parks since 8:50 am this morning and had seen Hallowishes the previous night. As we made it out of the HM, they give the 5 minute warning on Hallowishes. The lights dim as we cross the bridge in front of Crystal Palace and the first fireworks erupt as we hit mid-main street. There was no one in our path ... no one to dodge, no crowds. We simply walked out ... we even used the rest room, got candy and we're still sitting on the monorail before the show was over. In fact, we had a great view as we left the MK and headed into the contemporary.
We were dry in our room at the GF by 10, with the kid asleep and a really nice day under our belt. My point is, I know the weather is predicted to be worse over the next two days, but never, ever give up on a good day at Disney World. You won't be disappointed, I promise!
Anyway, were here now if anyone has questions or needs a little recon!!!
. The good thing about Disney and rain is that there are so many places to go when the skies open up, whether it is a ride, place to eat, or a store...but for us, we would rather splash through the puddles and have a good ole time that way. My kids have learned that you don't melt from the rain so they don't freak out like most little kids do (unless of course there is lightning in the area). Have a great rest of your trip 
going to ak tomorrow...oh and bought an umbrella in the park,it broke 2 hrs later 
