Thunderstorms forecast...What do you do?

[Karnak]

After living in the Sunshine State for 17 some years, I've learned to ignore weather reports that suggest rain. If I changed my plans because of rain in Florida, I'd never do anything or go anywhere.

My advice for when you're at WDW: Go right ahead with your plans. There are very few attractions at WDW that cease operation because of rain. Ignore the rain unless it is a cold day.

Enjoy.

 

[LMO429]

We are going to be at WDW May 5-9. The forecast has Scattered Thuderstorms almost everyday we will be there. What do you do when you get there and the weather is horrible? Has anyone ever gone and it rained every day they were there? This vacation is costing too much to sit in a hotel room the whole week, I am freaking out. How dependable is the Orlando weather?

My boyfriend and i are also going to WDW may 5 to the 12th. I have been looking at weather.com and see scattered thunderstorms as well for when we are there BUT it keeps CHANGING!!!!! im not really going to stress over it until i look at weather.com again on friday!!! even if it does rain mostly all the attractions will be running and there will be less crowds...dont worry it will be finewhen you are there

 

[Silverraindrop84]

Just like everyone else said... bring a poncho and keep on going. Some of the best times to be in the parks during the summer is when it's raining, it tends to clear out a lot of the park. Also since it's Florida, it tends to rain almost every afternoon in the summer, but most rainshowers last about 15 minutes.

 

[CanadianGuy]

On my trip in early March.. the forecast was rain every day.

It actually rained 1x during the entire week.. And we were watching the movie at Walt Disney: One Mans Dream at MGM. When we went in.. it was sunny. When we came out.. it was sunny.. but the ground was wet. At first I thought they had washed down the street or something.. but the I realized we'd had a shower.

That's how quick it was.

Knox

 

[OrlandoMike]

Just turned on the news, the smoke is comming from Georga. Geesh, that seems pretty far for smoke, but they said it will clear by tonight.

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

We are going to be at WDW May 5-9. The forecast has Scattered Thuderstorms almost everyday we will be there. What do you do when you get there and the weather is horrible? Has anyone ever gone and it rained every day they were there? This vacation is costing too much to sit in a hotel room the whole week, I am freaking out. How dependable is the Orlando weather?

For goodness sakes, don't cower in your room, get out there in the rain! You just have to have the right gear. I've done WDW in pouring rain with a toddler in a stroller and we were fine.

Here's what you need:
Ponchos
Open shoes that can get wet and dry out, like water shoes, tevas, crocs
Extra poncho to put over strollers if you have to have a stroller
Rain pants/shorts made for joggers, available at sporting goods stores

Think of it as a wilderness hike. Everyone have their own backpack with a towel and ziplock bag, maybe an extra shirt.

WDW in the rain is fun.

 

[Marjol]

Weather forecasts aren't very reliable for more then 3 days out, so don't worry too much, you (and me ) still have 6 more days to go!

By the way, accuweather has forecasts that are a lot more positive;

http://wwwa.accuweather.com/forecas...er&traveler=1&zipChg=1&zipcode=32801&metric=0

 

[donaldluv@14]

When there is a chance of rain at Disney (which is just about every day) the best thing to have is ponchos, before you leave for you trip go to target, my family and i had the best time walking around in the rain the park will clear out and then the rain clears up so there will be shorter lines for everything

 

[Feralpeg]

Just turned on the news, the smoke is comming from Georga. Geesh, that seems pretty far for smoke, but they said it will clear by tonight.

DD just got home from school in Tallahassee. She said the smoke was very bad there from the Georgia fires. Last night on the news they showed local radar. The smoke is so thick it was showing up as cloud cover. That's a really massive fire up in Georgia. I'll be glad when the wind changes. I just went to DTD for lunch and the smoke was very thick.

 

[katrinao]

Just since this morning on WEATHER.COM the rain percentages have gone from a 60% chance to a 10% chance. So, I guess I don't need to worry, check it the day we leave and even if it does rain, jump some puddles! Thanks Everyone! I feel a lot better about it!

 

[Dreaming WDW]

We always have our mickey ponchos handy. Those afternoon thunder showers can come suddenly, but usually you get some warning unless you happen to pop out of an attraction and get surprised. These never seem to thin the crowds though.

Sometimes it is better to have an umbrella rather than a poncho. When there is light rain all day, or sporadic rain, you will stay a lot drier and cooler with the umbrella. Especially in the summer months.

 

[Marjol]

We'll take our ponchos we bought for Mexico (and we never needed them there!) and a small umbrella, so we'll be fine

 

[inaminute]

I've been there many times when it's pouring at the MK, but bright and sunny at Epcot!

When it's raining we do one of two things--either continue in the parks, or if we've had enough fun, we'll head back to the hotel and take a nap.

We're going in June. I'll let the grandson determine which we'll do. Somehow, I think he's going to help us recapture the magic of playing in the rain! Can't wait!

 

[fla4fun]

Two pieces of advice:

Take the lightning seriously. They don't call Florida the lightning capital for nothing! I have seen people take shelter under METAL umbrellas in lightning storms. Not a good idea! Most of the injuries and deaths from lightning strikes are right before and after the storm, not during. So keep your eyes open. People get upset when the pools are closed and the storm isn't there yet. That's why it's done.

Bring a spare pair of shoes unless you're wearing something waterproof like Crocs. There's nothing worse than trying to put on a pair of shoes that's still wet from the day before.

Other than that, the showers come and the showers go. If there's a rain shower around, it will usually find it's way to Disney. Most of the time, they hit during that hot time in the afternoon when you want to be indoors resting anyway. It's very rare for it to rain all day in the summer, unless it's a tropical system. The parks are great in the rain. I prefer MK in the rain because the buildings are closer together and there's lots of connected walking space from one building to another.