Thunderstorms

[SpaceTraveler]

So, we are here now for our first of seven days. We were at Magic Kingdom, enjoying a nice, sunny morning, when the crazy thunderstorms rolled in. People quickly scattered for any sort of shelter that could be found. All the outdoor rides were closed and all the indoor rides amassed crazy wait times.

So, my question to you Dis-experts: What do you do when this crazy Florida weather hits? We're not the type of people to get upset over things we can't control but we'd like to be able to do more than huddle under the awning at Pecos Bill or stand in the instantaneously hour-plus wait for Space Mountain.

Any alternative ideas?

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Depends what the weather looks like on my phone. If it's not going to be long, I head for BTMR. When the storm passes, you get clear access to the ride.

 

[Mac4life30]

Um Country Bears is a nice place to escape the rains.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Last year we ducked onto a ride. Bad move. When the ride ended we had to exit and were in rain like I've never seen before wading through water up my ankles with lightning. I'll try the country bears or a gift shop next time.

 

[JimmyV]

If we are anticipating heavy (but relatively short duration) storms, we go to Epcot. Future World pavilions are a great way to be out of the rain, and the attractions and hands-on entertainment take so long to experience that a storm can come and go without ever having to leave the pavilion. The Living Seas is an especially great place to be during an afternoon storm. Same with Innoventions. The worst place (for us) is the MK where you bounce from ride to ride and the rides are of such short duration. We spend far more time dodging lightning and heavy rain doing that. We prefer to be in one place for a protracted period of time, such as Innoventions or Living Seas.

 

[ethanwa]

Get a NOAA radar app on your phone (there are a ton for iOS and Android). Keep an eye on the radar at least once an hour. Thunderstorms hit anywhere from Noon-8PM, although today they came in at 11AM.

If they are short, go to a gift shop. Sometimes they just take 15 minutes to pass.

If you know they are going to be longer, plan for lunch/dinner, get in a long indoor queue for a ride or movie (Captain EO for example), etc.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Aww welcome to the beginning of our rainy season I am ready to shoot myself with dogs going in and out all day long based on the rain The poor horse sounds like she has suction cup hooves with all the damn mud out there

For WDW nothing would stop me except lightning then I would be ducking into any indoor shop, show, etc Really have to love when it rains there though so many people head for the exits

 

[surferdave]

So, my question to you Dis-experts: What do you do when this crazy Florida weather hits?

 

[over50visits]

We LOVE IT when an afternoon thunderstorm hits, about 3-4 pm. The park empties out, lots of people had a long day and leave to get out of it.

The storms always pass, and we're left behind with a vastly less crowded park.

Just remember one of those dollar raincoats. When it rains Disney brings out the (at last check) $12 raincoats that aren't as good as the dollar ones from Walmart. Not nice of them to do that, so be prepared and you won't get ripped off spending $50 for a family of four to stay dry for a little while.

Wait it out, or walk around in your raincoat, and count your blessings, because blue skies and not-so-long lines are waiting.

 

[breick]

1. Put on a poncho or pocket raincoat
2. Tell yourself and family members things like "It's an adventure" "You won't melt" "Now you don't have to take a shower tonight" "Kids in Africa would love to have this rain" "It's just liquid sunshine"
3. Smile! and continue the vacation

 

[Kate and Family]

Just remember one of those dollar raincoats. When it rains Disney brings out the (at last check) $12 raincoats that aren't as good as the dollar ones from Walmart. Not nice of them to do that, so be prepared and you won't get ripped off spending $50 for a family of four to stay dry for a little while.

I have found the opposite to be true. My Disney raincoat has held up (and I have been told that they will replace them if they tear). I consider them a souvenir/Disney Bounding sort of thing. The $1 raincoats have only been good for rides such as Kali River Rapids or normal rain, not for Florida downpours. Maybe it depends on an individual's shape and size?

 

[Luvchefmic]

I have found the opposite to be true. My Disney raincoat has held up (and I have been told that they will replace them if they tear). I consider them a souvenir/Disney Bounding sort of thing. The $1 raincoats have only been good for rides such as Kali River Rapids or normal rain, not for Florida downpours. Maybe it depends on an individual's shape and size?

The only benefit I have ever found with those cheaper rain ponchos is that they are usually clear/see through and don't have to be lifted/ removed at bag check entrance I agree the WDW ponchos last forever I have one from opening of AK it says it right on there This was from 1998 I wear it almost daily doing outside chores around here Very durable material

 

[720L]

Buy a Disney poncho (they last us a whole 10 day trip) and wait it out. If the poncho happens to rip, they will replace it. When I say wait it out, I mean don't leave the park, find something inside to do. They usually pass fairly quickly.

 

[Music City Mama]

I was at MK that same morning. Started off beautiful and then a BAD storm (very close and frequent lightning for about an hour) came in around lunch time.

I don't mind walking in the rain with a poncho, but not during an electrical storm like that. I watched lightning strike a tree right outside of our bedroom at BWV last week, so while I will walk around in the rain, I won't during that kind of storm.

 

[TDC Nala]

World Showcase! Hide in a bar, but if it's a small one like the pub or La Cava it can get overwhelmed quickly with others who had the same idea.

 

[maryj11]

You never really know when the storm will hit, but we had one when we were there and ran to POTC and got in line.

 

[ampersand]

My storm plans depend on where I am when a storm hits (I mean, I'm going in September. It's when, not if). MK? Tomorrowland and straight to the carousel of progress. Epcot? Germany to hang out and watch the trains or American Adventure. AK? Nemo show or FOTLK. DHS? I already have plans to install that norad app and keep an eye on the weather. The second I see a good storm moving in, we're going straight to BATB.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

We will typically duck into the nearest indoor ride or shop. If we see it coming we are more likely to be selective. If we are don't with the ride or shopping, we usually play it by ear, we put on out ponchos and hop from indoor to indoor attraction. Yes the lines are longer, but what else is there to do, and the previous posters are right, if you can manage to get in line for an outdoor attraction as the storm passes the waits are next to nothing typically.

 

[smallworldnh]

You never really know when the storm will hit, but we had one when we were there and ran to POTC and got in line.

We did this too! We ducked into POTC and got to ride it several times as the lines were very short! Great place to wait out the storm!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

1. Put on a poncho or pocket raincoat
2. Tell yourself and family members things like "It's an adventure" "You won't melt" "Now you don't have to take a shower tonight" "Kids in Africa would love to have this rain" "It's just liquid sunshine"
3. Smile! and continue the vacation

Liquid sunshine is fine and no you won't melt, but if there is lightning I strongly suggest you take cover. Our State is the lightning capital of the U.S. And it is known to be deadly. It can be a real bummer to go home from your Disney vacation with one less family member All jokes aside, please take the lightning serious. Just last year an 11 yr old was killed 2 miles from the school I work at