Rides that close during rain/thunderstorms?

[wickersham]

We'll take our first summer trip to WDW in July. Which rides typically close during rain or thunderstorms? Excluding the water parks, what's the policy on re-opening after lightening? Is there a certain waiting period? Thanks!

 

[WillCAD]

Fortunately, there are very few attractions that have to close for lightning or rain; the vast majority of WDW attractions are indoor or under cover, so down time due to weather is minimized.

The only two I can think of off-hand are Test Track, which closes for heavy rain, and the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, which closes for lightning. I know there are a few more, but I can't think of them at the moment.

I don't know what the official policy is, but I've seen them open up very quickly after the storm has passed. In fact, I've even seen Test Track open and close like a saloon door during days with unpredictable periods of heavy/light rain.

 

[Arkansan]

We were there last week (May 9-16) and there was a thunderstorm on Thurs. while we were in the Magic Kingdom. They closed the Jungle Cruise right after we got off.

Earlier, while we were in line to meet Jasmine and Aladdin, it was lightly raining and the CM told us that if it started to thunder or lightning that "Aladdin and Jasmine would need to go back to Aggrabah." (sp?) Fortunately, that didn't happen, and my kids got their autographs and pictures! (They were in a covered area, but it was open on the sides.)

Hope that helps you!

 

[arjones31]

Rain and thunder aren't really factors for closing a ride. However, lightning is much different. If I remember correctly, there can't be lightning strikes visible for at least fifteen minutes before an "outdoor" attraction is reopened. The ones that always close for lightning are, as PP stated, Magic Carpets of Aladdin (and any spinning outside ride such as Dumbo and Triceratop Spin) as well as stationery outdoor attractions with no shelter.

 

[tinkgurl]

I know these rides do: Big Thunder, Splash, Dumbo, the Magic Carpets, Jungle Cruise, EE, Kilomanjaro Safari, Kali River Rapids, Test Track, LMA Stunt Show, Backlot Tour...that's all I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[kldmom2000]

I'm not sure about the thunder in the MK, but we were there for the torrential rains and winds of Tropical Storm Fay last August and I can assure you that Thunder Mtn. stayed open despite the rain/wind! I was shocked! My girls rode it w/o a wait along with DH 6 times in a row.....

Everything else seemed to be open but for many "indoor" rides, they had us remove our sopping wet ponchos before we could sit on those rides.....that was a pain

 

[cvjw]

We were at MNSSHP a couple of years ago when there were torrential rains. Splash Mtn was closed, Astro Orbitors was closed and the driving cars were closed. The parade also was cancelled. Those were the only attractions that I noticed being closed. Thank goodness, that was the only time I have been at DW with that kind of rain.

 

[richmo]

At Epcot, Test Track seems to close very quickly when it rains.

Over at DS, Indiana Jones reduces the show when it rains and may shut down entirely if the rain is hard enough or there's lightning. Lights, Motors, Action also shuts down if the rain is hard.

It hasn't happened to me, but I would think the Safari at AK would shut down if the weather gets bad.

At MK, I've seen Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain shut down with lightning in the area.

 

[Madzac]

We were there last week and it rained two of the evenings. The first was at the MK and there was lightening so they closed Splash, BTMRR, Magic carpets, Jungle cruise, Dumbo, astro orbiter, the tree house, the speedway... that I noticed anyway. All the indoor stuff stayed open. Once the lightening passed, even though it was still raining, they reopened everything. On Thurs night we were at DHS and no lightening, just rain and as far as I could tell it didnt appear that anything shut down. The rain stopped just before fantasmic was to start, thank goodness!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

These are all the attractions (that I know of) that close for lightning

MK:
WDW Railroad
Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse
Jungle Cruise
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Splash Mountain
Tom Sawyer's Island
Liberty Belle Riverboat
Dumbo
Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm
Donald's Boat
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
Astro Orbiter

AK:
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
Wildlife Express Train
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Kali River Rapids
Expedition Everest
Primieval Hurl
Triceratop Spin
The Boneyard

Epcot:
Test Track
America Gardens Theater

DHS:
Backlot Tour
Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground
Lights Motors Action Extreme Stunt Show
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
High School Musical
Fantasmic

 

[wickersham]

Thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge! I want to be prepared in case we have to switch our touring plans if the weather gets bad. Apparently afternoon rain is to be expected in July.

 

[luckytobeme88]

These are all the attractions (that I know of) that close for lightning

MK:
WDW Railroad
Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse
Jungle Cruise
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Splash Mountain
Tom Sawyer's Island
Liberty Belle Riverboat
Dumbo
Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm
Donald's Boat
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
Astro Orbiter

AK:
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
Wildlife Express Train
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Kali River Rapids
Expedition Everest
Primieval Hurl
Triceratop Spin
The Boneyard

Epcot:
Test Track
America Gardens Theater

DHS:
Backlot Tour
Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground
Lights Motors Action Extreme Stunt Show
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
High School Musical
Fantasmic

Thanks for this list. I would've never come up with so many attractions being affected by Mother Nature.

Who do you have winning the "CUP" this year?? from one fanatic to another,lol

 

[fairestoneofall]

On one day of our last trip, it rained off and on all day, in varying degrees of heaviness. We rode Splash in the rain (the ride was literally walk-on). Now, they did say that if it started to storm (lightning), they'd close the ride. But it was fine in the rain. It was raining steadily through most of the ride. But, when we approached the big drop, it was POURING! Thankfully, we had boarded the ride with our ponchos on (because of the rain), but our bottoms were all soaked from the water in the boat. lol

I actually don't mind the rain at WDW. It really thins out the crowds.

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

I wonder if we were at MNSSHP the same night! It was around Sept 13th of '07. It started to rain right after the party started and we went into Casey's to get some hotdogs and and DS was getting us a seat at one of the tables and it just started coming down and did not let up for hours. There was lots of lightening and Stitch got stuck, people mover got stuck, Space MT got stuck all due to power outages from lightening. It was terrible. I know the 2nd parade went on but the headless horseman was not able to ride. It was dissapointing

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Thanks for this list. I would've never come up with so many attractions being affected by Mother Nature.

Who do you have winning the "CUP" this year?? from one fanatic to another,lol

I'm hoping Detroit can get the repeat.

 

[luckytobeme88]

I'm hoping Detroit can get the repeat.

Don't know why I hated the "Penguins"?!! As long as they don't win, then...
Let's go "Red Wings"..

 

[wdwislife]

I've actually been on Test Track in the rain!
I guess they closed it just a few minutes after I went on it.
It was quite exhilerating feeling the rush of rain at those high speeds! A nice break from the hot FLA air.

 

[tallyfamily]

Don't let the rain deter you! We were at MK last Thursday and the rain drove crowds of people out of the park leaving the rest of us to enjoy all the inside rides by just walking on multiple times with no waits! It was fantastic! Ride as many outside rides as possible first thing in the morning when it is cooler and drier (take advantage of the morning EMH if possible), then do the inside rides in the afternoon- it will either be raining or be blazing hot- either way you will be dry & cool!