Rainy Day park:: Epcot or AK (what would

[Laura's Dad]

We are going to WDW this weekend and are planning on visiting the AK and Epcot for the Arts festival. Right now we are planning on Epcot for Friday and AK for Saturday with extended hours. It is supposed to rain quite a bit on Friday and we were considering switching parks. We would really like to see the artists working on chalk art and visit the artists at the Arts Festival booths and were worried that the rain would really curtail this. It is also supposed to be busier at Epcot on Saturday. If we do go to the AK on Friday the hours will be a lot shorter and we would not be able to do as much. Will the animals be out in the rain at the AK on the Safaris and animal trails in the rain? We can see both sides and would like some opinions about which park would be better on a rainy morning. Any help would be appreciated

 

[TikiRob]

I hate giving anyone advice when Disney crowds are impossible to predict.

Having said that, I love Animal Kingdom in the rain with all the lush landscaping and animals. Animal Kingdom is also easy to do with shorter hours. I'm also not a fan of standing around tables with umbrellas trying to eat out of paper boats of festival food. I'd bite the bullet and take the busy, better weather day at EPCOT if it were my family. I'm guessing you don't have park hoppers?

 

[hedberg1661]

I'd bite the bullet and take the busy, better weather day at EPCOT if it were my family

I agree with PP...bite the bullet and switch your days. I would also say to arrive both days early. You will get a lot more 'done' if you arrive early with a plan.

 

[Evita_W]

We are flying in late on Friday, we are going to do EPCOT on Saturday and Monday, so we get two days of the Festival at least.

 

[kkendall2010]

I was just at AK this weekend in the rain! The animals are a lot more active right after a rain, we did the safari and saw a ton of animals! This time of year Florida weather is rather unpredictable, you may get rained on a few times or not at all!

 

[Mr. Drauer]

You’re kidding yourself if you trust Florida weather any more than 36 hour out. Go with the flow. It rained all day today 15 miles west of WDW and not a drop 15 miles east. I saw no chalk art at Epcot on Monday, and the animals at AK are active based on how the keepers feed them and release them to the safarii. Don’t over think it. Enjoy the parks.

 

[gharter]

I was originally thinking EPCOT in the rain would be better due to all the shops and indoor attractions.
However, I agree if you plan to do the kiosks, AK would be better in the rain.

 

[skuttle]

This past weekend we almost switched our days because of forecasted rain the day before. It didn’t rain like predicted.

I’d pick epcot in the rain because I wouldn’t want to miss everest if it shut down due to rain.

 

[MomDoc_99]

I would vote for Animal Kingdom in the rain. I walked on to Everest 3 times in a light to medium rain and loved it! Animals were pretty active as well, although it was harder to get good pictures on the Safari. But PP's are right about the weather being completely unpredictable more than a couple days in advance.

 

[pwdebbie]

Our very best AK day ever was the day we arrived in the pouring rain, battled the massive crowds exiting, had the park to ourselves for the most part, and the animals were very active. They loved the rain! I would do AK in the rain again if I ever have to make the choice some day.

 

[heresabe]

I might prefer Epcot in the rain- one can shelter in any of the World pavilions. But Test Track tends to shut down during the rain.

 

[MomOTwins]

I personally would avoid Saturday in Epcot at all costs right now. It's a frat party.

 

[bakerworld]

With COVID I'm not sure about Epcot in the rain. If you can hack the smell, I vote for AK.

 

[disneygirlsng]

I know this is likely too late, but all of my best safaris have been in the pouring rain. The animals seem to love being out in it.