Rides down during Rain?

[cuchu2005]

Hi, going for the first time in Sept / Oct to the World.

As far as I've learned, the weather is even more unpredictable than the season we usually go (February, normally; last year, May).

So, the question is do all open air rides close down during rain? I know Splash Mountain closes (maybe due to the chance of a lightning striking the ride?), and Test Track (if I understood correctly due to the impact of the rain drops on your face while going at full speed on the outer side of the attraction).

I don't know about the others. The firsts to come to mind: Dumbo, Exp Everest, Kali, Primeval, Triceratops spin, Magic Carpets.

Just trying to figure out our alternatives in case of rain. I don't mind getting wet if the attractions are up and running, but if they are not...

TIA

Mx

 

[Hootch]

you'll see almost all outdoor rides shut down in case of lightening. Disney has a specific policy about lighening strikes within a certain radius. Thi ahppened on our last trip and I asked a CM. That radius has to be clear of strike for a period of time ( something like 20 or 30 minutes) before they reopen.

I know all of the rotating rides - Dumbo, Magic Carpets and Astro Orbiter were closed. There masses of people in tomorrowland where you could ride Buzz or Stitch or go to Monster's In Laugh Floor.

 

[fall08CP]

I think kilimanjaro safaris is one of the only outdoor rides that stays open for everything but a hurricane. However, the animal visibility is low during heavy rain and the vehicle has open sides, so you'd want to wear a poncho or put your least favorite relative on the end.

Many rides, like splash, will stay open for rain but not lightning. In fact I was at typhoon a few weeks ago, one of the worst places to be during a storm, and they waited for three bolts of lightning before they closed the wave pool. Let me tell you, I was put at the first one!!

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

All rides and outdoor attractions stay open during rain, heavy, light, doesn't matter. (Outdoor merchandise locations do generally close for rain though) They shut down for thunder/lightening within a certain radius. At Typhoon Lagoon (where I used to work) the radius was 2 miles, at least at the time, I cannot vouch for parks (although I would think it is similar) or for that being the exact radius right now, as I haven't worked there in over a year, but can't see as why they'd change it.

The exception to that rule that I know if is Test Track. They are SUPPOSED to close down for the slightest rain, however my husband (who works there) says they sometimes let it "slide" if it's a light sprinkle.

There might be other exceptions that I don't know of, I thought the rain=ok, thunder/lightening=shut down was the blanket rule, and wouldn't have even known that TT was supposed to close for just rain if my husband wasn't working there.

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

P.S.- I've ridden KS during a torrential rain/lightening/thunder storm - it was a BLAST!

 

[cuchu2005]

Thanks for the anwers, really good to know!

Mx

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

All rides and outdoor attractions stay open during rain, heavy, light, doesn't matter. (Outdoor merchandise locations do generally close for rain though) They shut down for thunder/lightening within a certain radius. At Typhoon Lagoon (where I used to work) the radius was 2 miles, at least at the time, I cannot vouch for parks (although I would think it is similar) or for that being the exact radius right now, as I haven't worked there in over a year, but can't see as why they'd change it.

The exception to that rule that I know if is Test Track. They are SUPPOSED to close down for the slightest rain, however my husband (who works there) says they sometimes let it "slide" if it's a light sprinkle.

There might be other exceptions that I don't know of, I thought the rain=ok, thunder/lightening=shut down was the blanket rule, and wouldn't have even known that TT was supposed to close for just rain if my husband wasn't working there.

I know if started sprinkling one afternoon in June and they closed Test Track for a few minutes, but that didn't last long.

 

[mousireid]

I was there recently during a nasty thunderstorm (it rained pretty consistently for at least an hour and off and on for two hours). The lightening was awfully close! ALL the outside rides were closed (the ones that have no cover - because we escaped onto the carousel which was still going!) Splash Mountain and Haunted Mansion were down as well, dunno if there had been a problem with the lightening or a surge or what but it happened right as teh storm began. What IS the policy for Hm and Splash? Do the Mountains usually shut down too during nasty thunderstorms? Or was it a fluke?
Well we had a bloody good time anyway. Squishy, but good!

 

[cuchu2005]

Thanks for the input. It's all about find something to do when the big attractions are down.

Last year, in May, we were at DHS. We entered Playhouse Disney, and the moment they closed the door it started pouring like there was no tomorrow.

When the show was over, no one wanted to go out, because it was falling heavily.

So, we stayed (as did aprox. 90% of the audience) to see the following show.

When the 2nd show finished, it was still raining, but we got out. A 3rd time would have been insane .

Mx

 

[mousireid]

i do want to add that we did ride Peter Pan, Carousel, Snow White, Mickeys 3d, teacups, buzz lightyear, pirates, eventually rode HM and at dinner and watched the parade (which time the rain was off). So we still Did a LOT for the 5 hours we were there (dinner was about an hour). Also there were other attractions open that we DON'T usually do anyway that we could have ducked into and wasn't sure about DD's height so we decided to wait for Space Mtn (but she's big enough after all!)
By the way we brought DW ponchos for us and two cheapies for the strollers (so they didn't get wet outside in the rain) and it was MUCH less busy because many people had left or were leaving!

 

[cassandrap83]

During MNSSHP last year, it rained for the first hour or so. Nothing at MK was closed. It was def more than a sprinkle, but no thunder/lightning.

 

[jgplimdesign]

Oddly enough, they will stop the 'Flights of Wonder' bird show in AK with the slightest drip. We were escorted out of the theatre mid show twice in one day a few trips back. Now I'm thinking. . .birds DO get wet so what gives if it's not a downpour? . . .but the CMs let us know that it was them onstage with their headsets that prompts the swift exit!

 

[Bill and Jen]

About three weeks ago we were in line for Thunder Mt. and there was a torrential downpour.

The ride continued and we then dubbed it Splash Mt Railroad. We were completely soaked by the end of the ride and to tell the truth the rain hurt.