What to do if it rains?

[firsttimer4]

We are planning our first trip to disney this may!! it will be me, my DH, DD (3), and DS (5). What happens if your in the park and it starts to rain?

 

[JessM]

Stay! Put on a poncho and keep going! The parks will clear out a bit if it rains. Most rides/attractions are indoors so other than walking in between them you won't get wet. I'd invest in a decent set of ponchos and a stroller cover if you are bringing one.

 

[tb1972]

The rain typically doesn't last long. I'd do as the previous poster suggested and pack ponchos.

 

[mommy2jack]

Stay! Put on a poncho and keep going! The parks will clear out a bit if it rains. Most rides/attractions are indoors so other than walking in between them you won't get wet. I'd invest in a decent set of ponchos and a stroller cover if you are bringing one.

Agree!!!

We went the end of last May (planning to go the same time this year). We did have 2 days of pretty solid rain. DH and I had an umbrella (I'm not a fan of ponchos, personally), I had on my flip flops, the kids were in their stroller under a rain cover and we kept on trudging through the puddles. Had a blast and it did keep crowd levels down a bit. I don't recall any of the rides closing. Rain or shine you'll still have a blast!

 

[JKMJ441724]

Stay!

Bring a hat and then put your hood on over that.

 

[oopinkisfunoo]

Go to the Dollar Tree and pick up a few double packs of ponchos. I remember as a child having some rain and it was usually just a passing shower but it was fun to wear a poncho and walk around in the rain!

 

[TwinkleKS]

Poncho time!

It is pretty rare that you have a torrential downpour that is so bad you have to stay inside.

 

[Crystal824]

Stay! Put on a poncho and keep going! The parks will clear out a bit if it rains. Most rides/attractions are indoors so other than walking in between them you won't get wet. I'd invest in a decent set of ponchos and a stroller cover if you are bringing one.

This is what we do.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Walmart also has ponchos for 99 cents in the camping section. We bring these, but have never used them. Also, if it's raining and you're in animal kingdom, go ride Kali River Rapids, you'll be the only ones on the ride and can stay on over and over again.

 

[ccgirl]

I concur with the others. In my experience, when it rains in Florida it's usually not longer than 30 minutes. If you are bringing a stroller, don't forget a rain cover for it. The rain ponchos fit over the umbrella strollers nicely. Nothing worse that the child sitting in a wet stroller. Also, we get the Jumbo size ziploc bags and put the extra changes of clothes for the kids in those. When they were younger that's where the diapers and wipes went too. If you are at Epcot, there is Innoventions and that's a great indoor place.

In short....HAVE FUN!!

 

[SweetAlex]

The last time we went back in February 2011, we were actually excited to see that rain was expected. Being from the southwest BC coast, we are used to rain... and LOTS of it (think Twilight ) and new the locals hated it.

Well, it did rain. Hard. And it was windy. So the rain was slamming into our faces and bodies. Our feet were drenched within 30 minutes. We didn't have ponchos but I don't think they would have done much anyway. It was so crazy, we finally left because we were just downright uncomfortable by then but the parks cleared out completely and it was only 5pm or so! If it had been any lighter, we would have stayed and enjoyed the emptiness!

Definitely stay if possible. Worth the shorter lines!

 

[Zooshoveller]

Don't wear a lot of white.

 

[mm1971]

We are planning our first trip to disney this may!! it will be me, my DH, DD (3), and DS (5). What happens if your in the park and it starts to rain?

Make rainade? Or is that lemons?

Grab those ponchos and keep going! Crowds will thin out and you'll be able to get just as much done. The one suggestion is to have Keens or Crocs so your feet will dry off quickly if they get wet. On days where we know it will rain a lot, we bring a change of socks/footwear and throw them in a locker for when the rain is over or if our feet get uncomfortable.

 

[frostedpink]

We went last august, and there was a torrential downpour our last evening in MK. They closed a lot of rides and it was impossible to still walk around. Fireworks were also cancelled

 

[poohguys]

Stay and have fun. Some of the best times we have had have been in the pouring rain. Make sure you have ponchos or rain coats. Even more importantly is shoes that can get wet and will dry quickly. I prefer Keens for myself. DH and DS just bring an extra pair of sneakers along. If your sneakers do get soaked buy a news paper and stuff it in them overnight and they will dry out.

 

[letsgoreds]

We like the poncho + umbrella + change of shoes for the kids combo. This is for days where it is going to rain ALL DAY. Honestly, we had one of those, and it was so easy to get things done, and no sunscreen!

 

[DanceDrawDream]

Put on a poncho and keep having fun! Find an indoor ride!


EDIT: (Yay! Just reached my 75th post!)

 

[CarolineB]

Don't forget to put your stroller cover on your stroller even if it's not raining before you leave your stroller parked -- we usually get quick, daily afternoon rain during the summer months.

You could also try to plan your tour if you expect rain -- save Rafiki's Planet Watch in Animal Kingdom for rain since a lot of that is indoors. Innovations was already mentioned for EPCOT. A lot of the shows are indoors or covered. If you're really not a go with the flow type person, you could circle or mark ideas on your park map that would be good if it was raining and you can return later.

I've noticed that some of the playgrounds close -- it's tough to be a bug seems to close if it's raining but the Boneyard in Animal Kingdom stays open. The Boneyard has a covered area for fossil digging in the sand that's completely covered although you need to walk over an uncovered ramp to get there.

Even if you're concerned about what you're going to do next, try to fake it with the kids until you've figured out your plan!

 

[firsttimer4]

Don't forget to put your stroller cover on your stroller even if it's not raining before you leave your stroller parked -- we usually get quick, daily afternoon rain during the summer months.

You could also try to plan your tour if you expect rain -- save Rafiki's Planet Watch in Animal Kingdom for rain since a lot of that is indoors. Innovations was already mentioned for EPCOT. A lot of the shows are indoors or covered. If you're really not a go with the flow type person, you could circle or mark ideas on your park map that would be good if it was raining and you can return later.

I've noticed that some of the playgrounds close -- it's tough to be a bug seems to close if it's raining but the Boneyard in Animal Kingdom stays open. The Boneyard has a covered area for fossil digging in the sand that's completely covered although you need to walk over an uncovered ramp to get there.

Even if you're concerned about what you're going to do next, try to fake it with the kids until you've figured out your plan!

Thanks! Those are some great ideas!

 

[troof]

I'd invest in a lightweight fold-into-its-own pocket rain jacket. I find them a lot more comfortable than a poncho as many are breathable and you can use them again and again. I bought one for a Costa Rica trip 10 years ago and I still use it. I picked one up for DD at Childrens' Place on clearance for 9.99. Also carry a couple of disposable ponchos for downpours b/c a jacket won't protect your pants in heavy, heavy rain. And always, always carry the stroller cover. Your youngest can be oblivious to the rain if it doesn't last long.