What would you do?

[mom2ml]

This is my very first post here. Let me start off by saying I have found this forum to be a HUGE help in planning our coming trip! Thank you! Now on to my question....My family will be arriving in Orlando this Friday late evening
(4/19) and have 4 days to visits the parks. Weather forecast for Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday all have chances for rain. I know that typically there is a passing rain shower but they are forecasting chances for thunderstorms. First, if you could take a look at the forecast, then could you tell me what park you would do on each day? We have tickets to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Wet'n Wild, Sea World, and Aquatica. Thank you in advance for your input!

 

[macraven]

i'm not a local but do know rain is in many forecasts but it doesn't always happen.

you could see weather predictions for thunderstorms but they pass by.


the locals have a better handle on explaining the weather patterns than i do.


can you make the decision on the day of for the park you want to do that day?

for the 2 water parks you listed, you probably would prefer to go on a day without heavy thunderstorms.
the Studios is decent in anytype of rain as most of the activities are indoors.
you only have to deal with the rain when walking from one place to another in that park.

ioa has more outdoor rides.
the rides would operate unless lightening is within 5 miles of the park.
take a poncho or some type of raingear if you do ioa on a rainy day.
crowds tend to be lower on rain days.

 

[Metro West]

Our weather patterns are hard to explain or forecast. Over the next six days, there is a chance of storms each day...usually in the afternoon/early evening but that's the way it will be until November. Saturday looks like the worst day with a 60% chance of storms and Sunday at 40% but that doesn't mean it will storm where you'll be. I wouldn't plan around the storms...just do what you want to do. If it does storm, it usually only lasts a short time and then its done.

Check out this link for the current weather. Keep in mind...forecasts change frequently so this is not written in stone.

http://orlando.justweather.com

 

[truck1]

I would not worry too much about the weather. It literally changes from hour to hour. Even if there was a storm/rain here( we live 30 minutes from any of the parks) it only lasts maybe an hour and then usually clears up. I'm still waiting for the tornado and following severe storms that a local news channel broke in to my wife's favorite show to tell us about that never materialized. Matter of fact next day was warm and sunny and he predicted severe storms and tornados all day. If you have a smart phone you can download an app like weather bug or weather underground. They have live radar and alerts on your phone.

 

[ksdave]

During our last trip, it rained for about 39 minutes while we were eating at Margaritaville. We sat and watched people just streaming out of IOA. Right as we were finishing dessert, the rain stopped. We went into IOA and practically had the place to ourselves. The Forbidden Journey was literally a walk-on.
A late day rain shower can be a blessing.

 

[ky07]

During our last trip, it rained for about 39 minutes while we were eating at Margaritaville. We sat and watched people just streaming out of IOA. Right as we were finishing dessert, the rain stopped. We went into IOA and practically had the place to ourselves. The Forbidden Journey was literally a walk-on.
A late day rain shower can be a blessing.

I have had that happen and while I hate rain while on vacation it sometimes can be a blessing

 

[DCTooTall]

And to give you a further idea of how spotty and weird the weather can be in Florida (from a Disney PoV)....



I've seen it end up pouring like someone turned on the faucet at the Magic Kingdom, Yet not a drop falls the entire day down at the Studios.

Personally, my favorite app on my phone on my last trip was the Weather Channel's app. Most weather apps will give you forecasts which might show a the chance of rain, but the nice thing about the Weather Channel app is I can actually see the radar (still and with motion) which I can use to get a better idea on if the rain storms in the area are going to impact me beyond just making the sky dark.

 

[ks13]

As someone who lives in central FL, I always tell people don't fear the chance of rain, you will be fine. Worse case is you may have to duck into a store or restaurant for a few minutes while it passes. Rarely do you get all day wash outs in FL, and even when you do it is just drizzle (well unless there is a hurricane, then rain is the least of your concerns ). This weekend Sunday is supposed to be the worse but not an all day thing. Heck even when they do predict rain it rarely hits where you are.