Tell me about DL in the rain :(

[MyMonkies]

We are leaving next week & I'm looking at the weather forecast. It's too soon to see our whole trip but right now 3 days are up. AND, all 3 days have a 60% chance of rain. Bummer!

What type of stuff do you use at DL for the rain? Umbrellas, ponchos, what? Anything special?

How does rain affect the parks? Ride closures? Show cancellations? How about TTMM? Fireworks? Fantasmic? Parades?

Ack!

 

[Kittyskyfish]

We'll be there from the 10th to the 14th and this doesn't bother me at all, mostly because it'll thin out the locals!!!!!!

I don't pay attention to rain forcasts 10 days out because they always change.

Besides, a 60% chance of rain means that there's a 60% chance that "some form" of precipitation will occur. It could rain .01 inch and that would make the prediction accurate. Even a gullywasher of .12, less than 1/5th of an inch, would be fine since most of the rides are indoors anyhow. They don't stop for rain. And it almost NEVER rains all day long in Anaheim. You'll get a bit of rain for a few minutes or half hour and then that's it.

FWIW: I was in WDW this past summer and it rained over 2" the afternoon I was there. Every indoor ride and business was still in action. The only difference I noticed about that day versus any other was my soaked clothes. Never missed Spectromagic or the fireworks, though the rain finished hours earlier than the scheduled events.

I bring ponchos just in case. That, and a change of shoes.

 

[DanT]

been to DL a couple of times over the years when it was raining...
it is great. Locals stay home, crowds are almost non-existent.
Most of the rides become walk-ons...
Wear layers, with an outer water proof layer...good shoes that repel water...

and then have a great time.

 

[NVDisMom]

I love DL in the rain. You get the park pretty much to yourself and you find that you take time for things that you would normally pass right on by. Bring ponchos if you don't have raincoats, dress in layers and go for it. Its a totally different experience. No crowds means no waits and you'll want to stop in each of the shops on Main Street, check out the penny arcade, catch a cartoon or two, see the indoor shows (twice maybe), thoroughly explore the animation studio, draw multiple characters in a day...you get the idea. Don;t be sad, some of our absolute best memories are on rainy days.

 

[MyMonkies]

You are making me feel better already! My dh is freaking & wanting to cancel our trip. I say that the show must go on!

 

[ballarinamom]

Our first trip to DL was during an unusually long wet spell. We brought ponchos for everyone to have one a day. The lightweight cheap ones you can get for a dollar. Wear a baseball cap under the hood to keep the rain from pelting your face. If you have a stroller. line the back of the stroller with a poncho and drape one over the shade cover to keep it dry. The crowds were completely gone. No Alice, Storybook, Autotopia, Casey or Matterhorn in the rain. No parades if it is wet as the floats can skid if it is wet

 

[spacemermaid]

Don't cancel your trip! Disneyland in the rain is fun!

It rained during my trip last March & there were NO LINES FOR ANYTHING! Oh, it was fabulous! Just be sure to wear something that won't get ruined if it gets wet (coat + sweatshirt + tshirt layers are great; if you get too warm, you can take 1 or 2 layers off), bring an umbrella and/or a poncho, and if you don't have waterproof shoes, an extra pair of socks, and you'll be good to go . The only downside is that Fantasmic and/or the fireworks might not be put on due to rain. I'll be there next week too & am looking forward to the rainy days

 

[goofycathy]

You are making me feel better already! My dh is freaking & wanting to cancel our trip. I say that the show must go on!

Well said! go and have a great time!

 

[MyMonkies]

You all are the best Are there any stores within a few minutes of the parks where I might be able to find ponchos-cheap? I live in the middle of no where with zero shopping so coming prepared might be hard to do!

 

[todzwife]

Wal-Mart has nice ponchos for about $5 that will last your whole trip. I highly recommend an umbrella as well as shoes that are waterproof and a change of socks. Soggy feet are no fun.

But I agree w/ the PPers. I LOVE Disney in the rain!

 

[Eeee-va]

As for ponchos, I have heard some people singing the praises of the Disney ponchos, actually, as they are higher quality than the dollar ponchos you can buy elsewhere, and I have heard that if one breaks (even from a previous trip?) they will give you a new one for free? I haven't confirmed the latter myself. Anyway, I'm saying that if you can't buy ponchos beforehand, just tell yourself that the Disney ones are actually higher quality so you're definitely not getting gouged.

I agree with others that rain = fewer crowds = a fun time! I wouldn't want it to rain EVERY day (there's too much entertainment I want to see!), but I'm hoping it does rain at least one day.

 

[DangerMouse]

I've ridden the Matterhorn in the rain. Not advisable (ouch!), but they keep it open until the bobsleds fill with water.

Other painful rides in the rain include Dumbo, Astro Orbitor, Screamin, Mulholland Madness.

 

[Albort]

im lookin at the weather report and i dont see no rain... am i missing something?

 

[jenpace]

If you've got a little one who still rides in a stroller, bring some clips to attach a rain poncho to the stroller and remember that their feet will stick out the bottom of the poncho. Rain boots for sure for them

 

[hitormiss]

I'm a big fan of the disposable ponchos on days when there are occasional showers, as I don't have to carry them around when the rain stops (if it's pouring, you may want something more heavy duty). On sunny days, I use them on Grizzly River Run and Splash Mountain - I then give them to people after the ride. I personally buy them on eBay, just using typing "lot rain ponchos" (without the quotes) in my search. You can get them for around a dollar each, usually within a few days.

Right now the weather gives a 40%-60% chance of showers 10 days out. That could easily change. It's very possible it will just rain for a couple of hours each day. Either way, don't worry - you'll have a great time.

 

[darph nader]

I wish we were able to plan when it 'did' rain,love the low crowd possibilty.

 

[mamaofthree]

We spent one day at DLR for part of our honeymoon 11 years ago, and it rained. At first I was so upset, but after we lined up and got our ponchos, we realized the park was empty! We walked onto everything, no waiting at the restaurants, etc. It was the best DLR trip ever!

 

[tiffntwins]

As for ponchos, I have heard some people singing the praises of the Disney ponchos, actually, as they are higher quality than the dollar ponchos you can buy elsewhere, and I have heard that if one breaks (even from a previous trip?) they will give you a new one for free?

I can confirm this.We have had two ponchos replaced... once with a receipt and once without.

I am also a big fan of rain at DL. You can get so much done on those days,as almost everything is walk on. I secretly wish for at least one day of predicted rain on all my trips now

 

[duncanssweetie]

We'll be there the 10th - 14th and I am so glad to hear all the positive things about the rain. This is our first trip to DL so I've been worried about the weather, but it sounds like it might just be a good thing for the crowd levels that I was even more worried about

Rain or shine.... here we come Disneyland !!!

 

[zeitzeuge]

Grab one of the disposable poncho's and go have one of the greatest times. Sure, the mist/rain can be annoying but we took it in stride and had one of the best trips. The lines are so short for everything from dining to attractions. I swear we rode some stuff like HM, IASW, SM, POTC so many times. We found the shopping to be kind of a pain due to the crowds wanting to get out of the rain, but that was tolerable. It didn't diminish our trip experience one bit.