RAIN

[soma151]

Being from the northwest we love rain, just wonder how it affects crowds in the park?

 

[mom2rtk]

Definitely works in your favor if you are looking for low crowds! Just watch out for the crowds when it stops though.

 

[figment_jii]

As mom2rtk said, it generally results in lower crowds while it's raining. Folks that have the flexibility to go to the parks on a different (non-rainy) day will probably not opt to go when it's raining unless there some special event happening that they don't want to miss. Just note that not a lot of DLR's queues are set-up for the rain, so be sure to bring rain gear if you want to stay dry(ish). Also, some outdoor attractions will close if it's raining (it depends on how much it's raining and for how long it's been raining).

 

[Darkbeer1]

Rain also can prevent parades from happening, plus the snow effect during the Christmas season.

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

I'm actually hoping for some rain while we're there, from PNW also. As long as it doesn't prevent fireworks, I'm good.

 

[figment_jii]

I don't think light rain alone will stop fireworks, but if there are winds associated with the storm, that can cause fireworks to be cancelled.

 

[StayClassy]

The first half of my trip had very strong nonstop rain and it was some of the most fun I had in the parks. The line for California Screamin was nonexistent and I got to ride it 4 or 5 times in a row. I went on Mickeys fun wheel and Little Mermaid again several times... It was perfect.

 

[SMD]

I was in DCA when it rained last Sunday and almost all the outdoor rides shut down for at least part of it. We literally couldn't find a dry place to sit, it was so crowded. The lines for any kind of indoor dining were out the doors and around the corners, even at the hotels. Rather than hop back to DL we finally left around 5:30, actually more like 6:30 by the time we got back to the car. So sure, as locals we left, but the crowds were there even without us.

 

[WonkaKid]

It depends on the severity of the rain. If it's light, it doesn't seem to effect crowds very much, in my experience. I was at DL two or three weeks ago and it rained lightly on and off throughout the day. Crowds still seemed reasonably heavy. If someone's brought their family from a long distance to visit the park, light to moderate rain will be unlikely to deter them.

However, I was also there about six months ago when it rained heavily. In that case, crowds were exceptionally light . In fact, it deterred me after a few hours and I went home ;-).

 

[Winnowill]

It rained (unexpectedly) most of one morning when we were there two weeks ago. We had intended to spend the morning doing character meets, particularly Jack & Sally, but, because of the rain, most of the Town Square characters went in and never came back out, and Jack & Sally didn't come out at all. In addition, both RSR and California Screamin' were down. because of the rain. Sure, the crowds were minimal, but we were pretty bummed that it messed up our plans on our departure day.

 

[tzeitel]

We were there on Sunday the 23rd and it rained most of the day. We dont mind rain (and I had an umbrella), and it looked like no one else did either - it was pretty busy. What did suck was that most rides closed. The shops were super crowded and the few rides open had waits in the rain. We left around 5-6 and went to dinner at Outback, it was nice to be dry

 

[wildflower329]

It rained quite a bit Sunday 10/23 and rained some of Monday 10/24. It was still quite crowded, restaurants were very crowded, many rides shut down in the evening. Both days the rain was unexpected (there was a slight chance of light showers for about an hour one day, but it turned into lots of rain all day long... and we are from the PNW too, so definitely not afraid of rain).

 

[ImDMous]

Yeah, most of the character meet spots are outside so they won't come out in the rain. The roaming characters that come to Main St, Nick and Judy, Mary Poppins, etc will stay dry and out of sight. Since we don't get a lot of rain, most outdoor attractions aren't covered and it if rains enough they will start to flood and will close (tea cups, Luigi, Mater, etc). Obviously indoor rides will be fine unless there start to be power issues, which has happened a few times.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Also think about queue areas for indoor attractions. For example, the Hyperion theater (Frozen), once you are in the doors, you are fine, but most people will be in the queue 30 to 60 minutes early, and will get rained on.