Thunderstorms forecast...What do you do?

[katrinao]

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?

 

[Hobbes]

Before you spend you entire vacation watching TV in your room check this out
http://www.allearsnet.com/ae/issue381.htm

Loads of tips from real Disney-goers for what to do in the rain!

 

[WickedWench]

Last time I was there in June of 2003, we had the same forcast.. scattered thunderstorms every day. However, there was only one day of our 10 day trip that had a real downpour (we were at Universal that day). The rest of the days, if it rained, the storms blew over very quickly. I wouldn't worry about it, just be prepared, because the forcasts are just not specific enough.

 

[katrinao]

Last time I was there in June of 2003, we had the same forcast.. scattered thunderstorms every day. However, there was only one day of our 10 day trip that had a real downpour (we were at Universal that day). The rest of the days, if it rained, the storms blew over very quickly. I wouldn't worry about it, just be prepared, because the forcasts are just not specific enough.

I hope thats the case...maybe just a shower here and there. I am so worried!

 

[michygoomy]

Ah, I love a nice rain at WDW. Clears the parks out, and cools everything down!

We don our rain gear, put a cover over the stroller, and keep moving like nothing is different.

Usually it's just a midday storm that rolls in and out quite fast. The tropical storms are worse--they last all day, but that doesn't stop us, either. The only time I hightailed it back to the room due to weather is when there were tornado warnings and they stopped running the buses.

One warning, though, the lightening is the worst I've ever seen in my life! I'm usually very phobic, but for some reason at WDW I feel the lightening can't touch me.

As I always say, a rainy day at WDW is still better than a sunny day home, sitting at my desk at work.

 

[WolfpackFan]

You just put the ponchos on and keep on going. I don't know that we have ever been down to WDW when we haven't seen afternoon/evening thunderstorms. Maybe not every day but many days. The rain and storms tend to clear the parks out. Unfortunately they can cause some attractions to be closed or cancelled like Fantasmic. We learned never to wait until the last night you are there to go to Fantasmic.

 

[FatherofFour]

The above post is right on target. Pack your "large discount chain" ponchos in a backpack and hit the parks. When the rain comes, don the ponchos and keep going. The parks clear out and you will have a blast.

Don't bring umbrellas!!! They just get in your way (not mention everyone elses). Also, by coordinating your poncho colors you will easily id your family, because everyone who buys disney ponchos look alike in less than five minutes.

Be prepared and don't worry about a little rain. By the way, some of our best pictures are of the kids and grandparents around the MK in ponchos

 

[katrinao]

Well, If it's raining will they still have the rides going? What about the shows? Does it ever get bad enough for them to close the parks? If it just says "Scattered Thunderstorms" and "Isolated Thunderstorms" are the parks still do-able? How long do the storms usually last?

 

[BrianD]

We are going to be at WDW May 5-9. The forecast has Scattered Thuderstorms almost everyday we will be there...

And that's pretty much going to be the forecast from now until October. That's just Florida in the summer. But fret not, because most afternoon thunderstorms don't last too long, and besides, it's nice to have a good hard rain in the afternoon to reinforce the humidity!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Katrinao:

Just noticed where you're from. My husband's father used to pastor a church there about 15 years ago. Recognized it because it's an unusual name.

Okay, now to your question. We go every year (11 times) during hurricane season (June). Every trip, it has rained at least two or three days during our 10 day stay. However, we don't let this totally ruin our park touring. Do not stay in your hotel room! Get out those ponchos and go to the parks.

First of all, I don't suggest you buy those little flimsy disposable ponchos they sell at Wal-Mart, drug stores, etc. They don't provide much protection and they will tear if you just look at them wrong. Disney ponchos are fairly sturdy (we used our's three years in a row) and they'll fit anybody. You will not find them out on shelves. You must ask a Disney castmember if you can purchase a poncho. They have them behind the cash register counter.

Since most other park goers will be wearing Disney ponchos too, take along a Sharpie marker and write your name along the back shoulder area. Just like on the sports teams' shirts. This will help distinguish your family from other guests.

Bring along the large ziplock bags. The rain storms/showers at Florida can be off and on all day. The ziplock bags are great for storing the ponchos. Keeps everything else in your backpack dry too. Bring one ziplock for every person in your group. Write their name on the ziplock bag 'cause it makes it easier when it starts raining unexpectedly and you're trying to figure our who's poncho is who's.

If you have or will be renting a stroller, purchase a poncho for the stroller. Much of the stroller parking is not under cover meaning your stroller will get wet. Just drape the poncho over the stroller before heading into the ride/attraction.

Lots of the attractions at WDW are actually inside so you will only be exposed to the rain as you are walking to and from the various attractions and "lands".

At the Magic Kingdom, the following rides will shut down if it is raining hard or there is lightning:

Swiss Family Treehouse (have only seen it closed twice)
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain
Dumbo
Goofy's Barnstormer
Astro Orbiter
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway

At Epcot:

Test Track


At MGM Studios:

Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show
Backlot Tour
Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground

At Animal Kingdom:

Kali River Rapids
Expedition Everest
Primeval Whirl
Triceratop Spin
Pocahontas and her Forest Friends

If the rain is very bad, the outside entertainment, including nighttime, is cancelled.

You will find that lots of people will leave the parks when it starts raining. That's good for you 'cause you'll keep on park touring and the lines will probably get shorter. Not a whole lot shorter but shorter.

I agree that you should check out the link at www.allearsnet.com. I was actually a winner in the what to do if it's raining contest and had my tips published.

Hope this helps. Have a great trip, Lisa

 

[michygoomy]

Be prepared and don't worry about a little rain. By the way, some of our best pictures are of the kids and grandparents around the MK in ponchos

Tee hee, I've found the same thing. This one is my favorite:

Backstory: it was Tropical Storm Alberto and it was REALLY coming down. We decided to do a little Monorail resort tour for a little while, thinking if it didn't clear up, we'd just be able to catch a cab back to CBR. We never got further than the Poly, where we looked around and the kids made these cute masks. It cleared up a little (still raining, though) and we headed back to a half-empty MK.

Sometimes the best parts of the vacation are the unplanned little surprises like that!

 

[pixiepower1971]

I agree about NOT buying the cheap ponchos. They stick to you and are never long enough. We have ones we bought at the parks quite a few years ago and we use them many times a year(we are AP holders!) The only reason we have had to buy a new one is because my DD10 is now getting too tall for the kids one...she begged us last trip for the bigger one! Quart size freezer bags work great to keep the ponchos in.

I also carry a water resistant/proof bag in the park and always remember a ziploc freezer bag for your phone and cameras...even if your bag is waterproof! Its not worth the risk.

I prefer a small umbrella for me but not for the kids. They are just fine with the hood on the poncho. I carry a very small one in the bottom of my bag during rainy season.

My kids can tell time by the wild thunderstorms in FL (that would be "its time to get out of the pool!"). They can be fierce with dangerous lightning. They come almost every afternoon in FL. They are usually short lived. If we can we plan a few indoor activities/rides for the afternoon.

I also agree with another PP that some of my best pix are of my kids playing in the rain at WDW! Especialy when Tomorrowland floods!!
This one is a few years old now but it is still one of my favorites. We had a blast in this downpour!

 

[sandybobandy]

I couldn't agree more with the previous posters. Rain should not hamper your day in any way!!! Rain at WDW is the best kind and it really does clear out the parks. Just put on that poncho and mosey on down the road.

Have fun!

 

[TinkAndBelleFan]

How dependable is the Orlando weather?

You can depend on it raining at least a little every day. No, really. When I've been there over the summer, as a kid and adult, you could depend on there being some sort of rain, even if it was a short shower, almost every day.

So, grab some ponchos and stick it out. We didn't grab them last year and boy oh boy did we regret it. It started downpouring while we were in line for Splash Mountain and they closed the ride. We could have waited it out, but we had reservations at LTT. So here we are the ONLY people not huddling under cover, sprinting across the park... with no ponchos or umbrellas.

I sure felt bad for the people who got seated at our table after us. Those seats were plain soggy when we left.

 

[tomerin]

on every WDW trip we have made it has rained multiple days. sometimes we just ducked into wherever we could and tried and wait it out, sometimes we just left if it was too stormy but on recent trips we decided to do the poncho thing. it is really kind of funny seeing my rather petite DW surrounded by my 2 strapping sons dressed in their yellow ponchos. like a family of yellow penguins. gotta remember to bring that water resistant camera next time it rains.

its really fun walking down mail street in the rain. walking down the middle of the street in mid july no crowds to fight thru makes the rain so much more tolerable to the point of enjoyment

if there is a possibility of rain i just bring the ponchos in a bag. i would rather lug an extra bag around most of the day then lose time worrying about getting wet. now thasts funny worrying about getting wet in florida in the middle of july. this thread reminds me i gotta go and look for those ponchos only 73 more days to go

 

[OrlandoMike]

You really dont have much to worry about. In May the weather will usually go something like this.

Warm mornings

Hot afternoons

Brief thunderstorm for less than an hour in the afternoon

Cool evenings.

Rarely does it rain all day. When it does rain, its scattered. It may rain at EPCOT for an hour, and be dry all day at the Magic Kingdom. Go to your local doller store and get some cheap ponchos, you will be fine.

 

[Feralpeg]

Remember, folks. Florida is in a drought. We are way behind in rainfall. Even though they predict rain, it is usually a 20 to 30 percent chance and doesn't materialize. When we do get rain, it is usually brief and very spotty. I'd really welcome rain, but I think this is going to be another very dry summer.

OT, there are worse things than rain on a vacation. Nothing can ruin a vacation like smelling smoke all day at the theme parks. I can't stress enough how important it is to be careful with cigarettes. Brush-fires are a very real danger at this time. I live five minutes from the back of MK and I can smell smoke when I step out of my house today. So, please don't hate me if I pray for rain in central Florida.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Between Disney and the airport here, and yes there is smoke in the air.

Pray for some rain!

 

[kerrynic78]

I just went outside to get the paper and all I could smell was smoke. We are about 25 minutes from the airport. We really do need some rain.

 

[SteamBoatWillysKin]

Some of our best memories of Disney are when it rains. Never, and I repeat never let the rain at Disney stop your touring plans at the parks! There are obvious advantages to rain in the fact the timid people will leave the parks. Make sure you're not the "timid". Let's face it most of the attractions at the parks are indoors. Wear your ponchos an proceed onward. Some of the best memories of downpours are when lots of people gather under awnings to get out of the rain and the kids and yes adults are all laughing about the rain and actually having a good time waiting it out! The rain will usually not be around that long and even if it is you'll have plenty of things to do. If you have a favorite ride you have the opportunity to ride it several times in a row if the crowds thinned out. When the sun comes back out you will still have time in the sun to enjoy the park until the crowds make their way back into the park and by that time you'll be ready to leave and go back an enjoy your resort or other attraction.