Rain Strategies for Disney

[jhop321]

D'oh, according to the forecast -looks like 'generous rain' is setting up for my entire 3 day Disney trip from Sunday through Wednesday.

Wondering about folks who visited parks with all-day rain, what are some strategies for getting by and spending long days from opening until close at the parks without being beddraggled and sad? hahaaaa

 

[nonnydd]

A positive attitude and quick dry footwear are your strongest weapons. Check weather apps for pockets of dryness, and in the meantime go for long indoor shows, dark rides, leisurely meals, maybe a spa afternoon. Know indoor paths through stores in HS and MK. Have multiple ponchos. Good news is that lines will be shorter!!

 

[e_yerger]

The first step to having fun is giving up the hope of having that dry, picture perfect vacation. Once you stop trying to force that, you're going to have a blast in your wet little rainy paradise! Typically lower crowds too as locals will stay away on rainy days Enjoy!

 

[JessicaW1234]

Ponchos are key. They sell multi packs on Amazon.

 

[WITN-E]

Buy a good re-usable poncho on amazon and pack flip flops or other water friendly footwear. I cannot stress this enough- wet feet at Disney is a trip-ruiner!

 

[e_yerger]

Ponchos are key. They sell multi packs on Amazon.

Ponchos are great, but I find a light weight foldable jacket to be better! https://www.amazon.com/Hount-Lightw...ds=foldable+rain+jacket&qid=1618535510&sr=8-6

These packdown into the size of a waterbottle and can fit in your backpack easily. I like being able to move my hands around and my arms be safe from the wter

 

[jhop321]

The first step to having fun is giving up the hope of having that dry, picture perfect vacation. Once you stop trying to force that, you're going to have a blast in your wet little rainy paradise! Typically lower crowds too as locals will stay away on rainy days Enjoy!

dont worry im excited rain or no rain, last time I was there was 1986 and the annual visits as a child inspired so much of my life .- this revisit is a long time coming lollll.

Thats a great tip for that raincoat

 

[LuvMyEAR]

I don’t mind getting a bit wet, but NOT from the steam bath that happens to me in a poncho or raincoat. My little umbrella was my best friend during a 10-day trip with long periods of rain EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Make sure that whatever footwear you choose will stay in place on your feet. Think sandals with decent straps unless you are going to switch back and forth from flip-flops to dry shoes (which I would find a real PITA!) Sandals are my choice of footwear but will become slippery on your feet when wet, which both slows you down and can be dangerous.

Most of all, embrace the rain if it is going to continue for long. Wade through the puddles and relish the drastically reduced crowd! I will forever cherish a memory of my DSIL, holding my DGS (7 at the time) by the hand and skipping toward 7DMT in a downpour. They were going back for their fourth turn, and loving every minute of it! Earlier, we had our very first ride on this attraction while we were all dry. Just as we crested the first rise and the train hit the outdoors, the heavens opened up with a vengeance ! After the initial squeals of dismay, the whole trainload sang “Hi Ho!” At the top of our lungs for the rest of the ride. To this day, we remember that as our best ride ever on 7DMT.

Anyway, just make sure that you have a way to protect anything that would be damaged by water, or that needs to be kept dry so you can be comfortable after the rain stops. Being wet, or even damp, in an indoor venue with a lot of A/C is a sure way to get a chill. Ziplock bags in necessary sizes are your friend. Renting a locker can be a huge help. I am also now not adverse to buying some dry t-shirts or hoodies if the situation required it, but that did not always fit into my budget.

 

[jhop321]

I don’t mind getting a bit wet, but NOT from the steam bath that happens to me in a poncho or raincoat. My little umbrella was my best friend during a 10-day trip with long periods of rain EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Make sure that whatever footwear you choose will stay in place on your feet. Think sandals with decent straps unless you are going to switch back and forth from flip-flops to dry shoes (which I would find a real PITA!) Sandals are my choice of footwear but will become slippery on your feet when wet, which both slows you down and can be dangerous.

Most of all, embrace the rain if it is going to continue for long. Wade through the puddles and relish the drastically reduced crowd! I will forever cherish a memory of my DSIL, holding my DGS (7 at the time) by the hand and skipping toward 7DMT in a downpour. They were going back for their fourth turn, and loving every minute of it! Earlier, we had our very first ride on this attraction while we were all dry. Just as we crested the first rise and the train hit the outdoors, the heavens opened up with a vengeance ! After the initial squeals of dismay, the whole trainload sang “Hi Ho!” At the top of our lungs for the rest of the ride. To this day, we remember that as our best ride ever on 7DMT.

Anyway, just make sure that you have a way to protect anything that would be damaged by water, or that needs to be kept dry so you can be comfortable after the rain stops. Being wet, or even damp, in an indoor venue with a lot of A/C is a sure way to get a chill. Ziplock bags in necessary sizes are your friend. Renting a locker can be a huge help. I am also now not adverse to buying some dry t-shirts or hoodies if the situation required it, but that did not always fit into my budget.

awww great story!!! thank you for sharing . . .

 

[mickeymom629]

I'll be there tomorrow for 5 nights... it's not the rain I mind as much as the lightning...my greatest phobia.

 

[DaniPoppins]

We're leaving tomorrow also. Really bummed by the weather forecast, but just going to make the best of it! Ponchos, rain coats, umbrellas, extra walking shoes, ziplocs, and drying towels packed!

 

[Blanco]

Ponchos. You’ll get wet no matter what. So, enjoy it. Don't be over dramatic about it. It rarely last for a prolonged period of time.


the less things you carry, the less you worry. Easy.

 

[bluezy]

We were at Disney World for Monsoon Week in May 2009. It rained long and hard every day of our 7 day stay. We had a few hours of no rain/sunshine every day, but I swear they always happened when we were either back at the resort for a break or at a time we didn't plan to be at a park. It's still one of our favorite Disney trips and we have lots of good memories from it despite the 14" of rain that fell while we were there.

We weren't expecting this weather before we arrived -- the forecast was the usual daily afternoon passing shower; but a tropical depression stalled over central FL and just sat there for over a week. I had packed our usual pile of disposable rain ponchos and we always make sure everyone in the family has at least 2 pair of comfortable shoes which turned out to be a HUGE lifesaver. We also had lightweight jackets that were water resistant but definitely not waterproof. We used them around the resort but it didn't take long for them to get soaked in those downpours. I also always pack a bunch of clothespins which also came in very handy for hanging wet socks, jackets, and ponchos throughout our rooms every night. We used the cheapy rain ponchos for the first day and a half but found them to be too hot and sticky. They're great for a passing shower, but not an all day event (at least not in the summer). We bought the Disney rain ponchos and used those the rest of the week (excellent purchase for us - well worth the price. And they replaced them for free if they tore.) We did not find them to be hot or clingy. Having 2 pairs of shoes for each person was crucial. Most of us wear athletic shoes to the parks so we needed to stuff those with towels or washcloths every night to help draw the water out. In the morning we'd take the towels out and let the shoes continue to air dry the rest of the day (while we wore our dry pair of shoes). My son wore sandals some days but even those took a full day to dry. He preferred wearing his athletic shoes even in the rain and was wishing he had brought 2 pair. He said his feet slid around too much when the sandals were wet and he turned his ankle a few times due to that. By the end of the week he was wearing his athletic shoes every day even if they were still slightly wet because he had too many close calls in the wet sandals. I had sandals that I wore around the resort in the evening, but I would never wear them to the parks even on sunny days -- too many reasons to mention.

If I had known it was going to rain all week, I would have made sure everyone had 3 pairs of shoes with them (we now travel with 3 pair of shoes) and I would definitely have packed more socks for everyone. It was challenging to do laundry that week because everyone was hogging the dryers to dry out their wet clothing and shoes from the day (even though there were huge signs all over the laundry room telling people NOT to use the dryers for doing that -- that they were reserved for people doing laundry.) I did finally catch the laundry room at a slow time and did a load of laundry that was mostly socks and underwear but I now pack a lot more of those things. I would also recommend packing some of the waterproof blister band-aids. We didn't need any on that trip, but I know walking around in wet shoes can definitely cause blisters.

Enjoy your trip! I'd take a rainy day at Disney over a day at home any time!!