What do you do with a rainy day?

[slickpoetry]

I know it's not common for it to rain all day long in central Florida. But let's say its a rare occasion where its guaranteed non-stop rain all day.

I have a free day built into my plans already, so I wouldn't be sad about not going to the park that day, and I wouldn't be concerned about losing money.

But I would like suggestions about how to keep everyone entertained for the day! I have a 5 year old and a two year old...

 

[MrsDuck]

I know it's not common for it to rain all day long in central Florida. But let's say its a rare occasion where its guaranteed non-stop rain all day.

I have a free day built into my plans already, so I wouldn't be sad about not going to the park that day, and I wouldn't be concerned about losing money.

But I would like suggestions about how to keep everyone entertained for the day! I have a 5 year old and a two year old...

Throw on some ponchos and proceed as normal.

Seriously, the best time to be in the parks is when it's rainy - wait times decrease significantly!

 

[HM]

We have always just gone to a park in the rain. There are less people there, fewer lines.
One of our best days ever was when a tropical storm went by on the coast bringing lots of rain to WDW (our last day). We wore ponchos and shoes that could take the water. We did three parks that day, and it cleared up enough at night for the parade and fireworks at MK.

 

[kmb584]

Throw on some ponchos and proceed as normal.

Seriously, the best time to be in the parks is when it's rainy - wait times decrease significantly!

That's what we do. The only time that I can remember us having issues with the rain was in October 2012. We had about 6 straight hours of torrential downpours, rain coming down so fast and so hard that it was difficult to even see. We hunkered down in The Land for about 2 hours (there was almost no wait for Soarin') but eventually trekked back out into it. Even with raincoats and ponchos we were dripping wet but we waited no more than 10 minutes for everything!

 

[slickpoetry]

If it was just us adults and the 5 year old, I probably would do that.

I might be a little overprotective about my 2 year old girl. She actually won't even be two, we are going two weeks before her birthday. I don't want her to be miserable all day, or come home with the sniffles.

 

[BebopBaloo]

I'd recommend a stroller poncho, which keeps the the one in the stroller completely dry. We had one for my daughters umbrella stroller and even when we were soaked with our ponchos on..she was completely dry. It was clear for her to see through and had mesh areas so that the air would circulate. She loved it.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

We bailed on our rainy day because our parents were ONLY going to 1 day at EP and they didn't want to be stormed on all day. We did what everyone else in Disney did, went to Disney Quest. Found that it wasn't for us, but we have always been curious and decided to give it a shot as a sort of bonus day. We moved our EP to the following Sat after the trip and it turned out to be 98 and sunny the entire day. I think half of our group would have preferred the storms and 70s but we made it. Our friends travelling with us had 3 day hoppers so they switched to MK that rainy day and hopped to AK and basically NO ONE was in the parks that day. They got to ride a LOOOTTT which is a whole lot more than I can say for our base days at EP and HS that week after the rain did subside. They did very well that rainy day and after that, the crowds were ridiculous. I would say that you should definitely take advantage of a rainy day and don't go to Disney Quest. There are plenty of inside things to do all over the parks (espeically places like MK and EP.)

 

[HM]

I guess you'll just have to wait and see what your weather brings.

If it's not thundering/lightening with the rain, you could swim in your resort pool for a while. My kids love doing that.

You might go see a movie at the AMC theaters, but 2 yr olds don't always do well in the theater (my 3 yr old DD was too young at her first movie, could not sit still).

Your kids are too young for DisneyQuest (which would likely be packed anyway).

 

[Mikie]

I'd probably give resort hopping a try - go to one of the monorail resorts, look for hidden mickeys, get a snack if that resort is "famous" for something, look around the hotel a bit, monorail over to another, take a boat to Wilderness Lodge, collect pressed pennies from the resorts. I'm thinking it's less walking than the parks, so you might be able to do it without a stroller if your 2yo is willing to walk some and be carried some. Although the monorail is pretty stroller friendly too. Maybe even bring a card game or DDs favorite doll/action figures in your bag to just hang out and play sometimes.

 

[slickpoetry]

I'd recommend a stroller poncho, which keeps the the one in the stroller completely dry. We had one for my daughters umbrella stroller and even when we were soaked with our ponchos on..she was completely dry. It was clear for her to see through and had mesh areas so that the air would circulate. She loved it.

Do you guys know if they sell ponchos and stroller ponchos at the resort gift shops? We are staying at AoA if that matters.

 

[kmb584]

Do you guys know if they sell ponchos and stroller ponchos at the resort gift shops? We are staying at AoA if that matters.

Ponchos, yes. Stroller ponchos, no.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

That's what we do. The only time that I can remember us having issues with the rain was in October 2012. We had about 6 straight hours of torrential downpours, rain coming down so fast and so hard that it was difficult to even see. We hunkered down in The Land for about 2 hours (there was almost no wait for Soarin') but eventually trekked back out into it. Even with raincoats and ponchos we were dripping wet but we waited no more than 10 minutes for everything!

Sounds like a TS system? Typically rain storms don't last that long in FL unless its a depression etc. October sounds right for that time of year....

 

[yankebabie]

Disney quest!!

 

[mcconnellfam96]

I am actually hoping we have at least one rainy day during our trip next month.....less people and cooler temps!

 

[Lorettainny]

I agree with put a poncho on and go to the parks. We have also watched a movie at DTD.

 

[#1 Goofy Fan]

We stay in whatever park we are in or planning on being in - crowds are lower. My favorite is when you are in a water park and watching people put on ponchos and leave the park - if no thunder and lighting we stay - park empties and tons of fun.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Water parks! No lines and you're there to get wet anyway!!

 

[cedricandsophie]

Splitsville or the movie theater at downtown Disney.

 

[vcgirl925]

Put on our ponchos and head to the parks! It's the best time to go. No lines!

 

[disnut8]

If it was just us adults and the 5 year old, I probably would do that.

I might be a little overprotective about my 2 year old girl. She actually won't even be two, we are going two weeks before her birthday. I don't want her to be miserable all day, or come home with the sniffles.

Actually, I would be more concerned about the five year old who can verbalize more than the almost two year old. For an almost two year old, the parent will be the visual stimulation. Is Mom and Dad happy? Yes! Then I'm happy.

The five year old, eh, probably not as much.

And, if I'm not mistaken, a cold is caused by bacteria, not being wet.