Rain?

[Peachy0118]

Hi all. We are booked to be at Disneyland Dec 27 - Jan 1 and the forecast is just absolutely full of rain. We have never been this time of year before and are REALLY looking forward to it.
We get the forecast can change but it just seems to be getting worse as opposed to better. We're Canadian (currently colder than -40 here!) and so aren't scared of being a bit chillier, but we also understand that rain does change things at the parks.
What all can get affected? Fireworks, we assume... what else? We're definitely ride people - which rides get shut down in the rain? Just trying to come up with a bit of a plan...

 

[monkeypat83]

Things that are outdoors that the track can get slippery in an evacuation are the ones that sometimes close. I know Alice closes as does the Golden Zephyr with even a little bit of rain. Other rides it depends on the amount of rain and if there is any lightning in the area. The threat of lightning closes more than small amounts of rain.

The parades are usually affected by the rain as it is not good for the costumes to be wet. The fireworks may actually go off if it is not windy and World of Color and Fantasmic (with some slight changes) often go in the rain unless it is very heavy or there is the threat of lightning.

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

I wouldn't worry about rain until it's at least two days before you arrive, California weather in general is very wishy washy when it comes to weather prediction. If it does rain some rides will close regardless of the amount of rain and others will need an excessive amount of rain. But if there is lightning count on rides going down or closing.

Parades for sure will probably not happen if its raining just due to safety.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I wouldn't worry about rain until it's at least two days before you arrive, California weather in general is very wishy washy when it comes to weather prediction. If it does rain some rides will close regardless of the amount of rain and others will need an excessive amount of rain. But if there is lightning count on rides going down or closing.

Parades for sure will probably not happen if its raining just due to safety.

I agree, try not to worry too much until a few days before as our weather is strange and fickle. (P.S., it’s currently forecasted to be 80 and sunny on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, there’s that wacky SoCal weather for you!)

That said, prepare for rain with your packing. My biggest recommendation is waterproof footwear because nothing is worse than wet, freezing feet while you’re trying to walk all over. Also umbrellas, rain jackets, waterproof pants if you have them, ponchos, etc. If you are planning on renting a stroller it helps to have a rain cover. Wet stroller is THE WORST.

In addition to parades and potentially fireworks Fantasmic will get canceled for lots of rain. I think WOC might go on unless it’s too windy.

Lots of rides go down in the rain and even more if there is lightening. Feels like the whole park shuts down if there is lightning sighted.

 

[Peachy0118]

I agree, try not to worry too much until a few days before as our weather is strange and fickle. (P.S., it’s currently forecasted to be 80 and sunny on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, there’s that wacky SoCal weather for you!)

That said, prepare for rain with your packing. My biggest recommendation is waterproof footwear because nothing is worse than wet, freezing feet while you’re trying to walk all over. Also umbrellas, rain jackets, waterproof pants if you have them, ponchos, etc. If you are planning on renting a stroller it helps to have a rain cover. Wet stroller is THE WORST.

In addition to parades and potentially fireworks Fantasmic will get canceled for lots of rain. I think WOC might go on unless it’s too windy.

Lots of rides go down in the rain and even more if there is lightening. Feels like the whole park shuts down if there is lightning sighted.

Yeah I am hoping it shifts a bit. It's changed a lot in the last day or two but just in terms of getting worse and worse! hahaha

Still it looks gorgeous now and starts raining the 27th (our first day in park) so even if that shifts a bit, that's still alright. (We got below -42 C today plus windchill... So I guess that's like -44 F? So having even a bit of sun would really help.)

Just going to try to be optimistic and willing to pivot as much as possible.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Yeah I am hoping it shifts a bit. It's changed a lot in the last day or two but just in terms of getting worse and worse! hahaha

Still it looks gorgeous now and starts raining the 27th (our first day in park) so even if that shifts a bit, that's still alright. (We got below -42 C today plus windchill... So I guess that's like -44 F? So having even a bit of sun would really help.)

Just going to try to be optimistic and willing to pivot as much as possible.

Ummmmmm, whatever happens here with the weather it will be TOTALLY FINE if that is what you are coming from! I bet you even have all the gear you need to stay dry (I don’t even own a raincoat or proof boots if that tells you anything! ) Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Peachy0118]

Ummmmmm, whatever happens here with the weather it will be TOTALLY FINE if that is what you are coming from! I bet you even have all the gear you need to stay dry (I don’t even own a raincoat or proof boots if that tells you anything! ) Hope you have a great trip!

Well we are trying to avoid having to pack quite so much as ALL that we need here to function... hahaha

We actually don't get tons of rain in comparison to all of the snow though!

 

[BrianL]

One thing is that it should reduce crowds, at least the locals. Los Angelinos don't do rain!

One thing to watch out for is that because it doesn't rain that much, there can be some darainage issues and even a leaky roof in a line queue. They just didn't build for it either.

 

[ComeToSocialize]

Many rides will go down if it rains: Golden Zephyr, Silly Swings often, Incredicoaster, Luigi in DCA. Alice, storybook land canal boats, possibly even Big Thunder if its raining really hard. Probably more I'm not thinking of.

The good news is that the crowds become a lot lighter, though possibly less so during Christmas/New Years week since it's probably more tourists than usual vs. locals.

Another thing is that, in LA, it's pretty rare that it will rain all day, so just because it's raining in the morning doesn't mean it'll still be raining in afternoon at all.

 

[Peachy0118]

One thing is that it should reduce crowds, at least the locals. Los Angelinos don't do rain!

One thing to watch out for is that because it doesn't rain that much, there can be some darainage issues and even a leaky roof in a line queue. They just didn't build for it either.

Yeah I keep hearing that, but with blackout dates going on, do you think crowds will be affected at all?

 

[BrianL]

Yeah I keep hearing that, but with blackout dates going on, do you think crowds will be affected at all?

Well, possibly not a lot if locals are excluded, but some. A lot of rides will close, so make sure you can get on something indoors with a covered queue (there are far fewer of those at DL than at WDW).

 

[Peachy0118]

Well, possibly not a lot if locals are excluded, but some. A lot of rides will close, so make sure you can get on something indoors with a covered queue (there are far fewer of those at DL than at WDW).

Okay, thanks!

 

[DLgal]

Yeah I keep hearing that, but with blackout dates going on, do you think crowds will be affected at all?

Probably not. There are only a handful of old Dream Key holders that can go. I'm guessing the people who paid out the nose for date based tickets are gonna go regardless.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Probably not. There are only a handful of old Dream Key holders that can go. I'm guessing the people who paid out the nose for date based tickets are gonna go regardless.

Totally agree with this. I don’t think the rain will keep crowds down this week.