About the summer thunderstorms

[Laura]

I have never been to Disney in the summer so I'm not familiar with what happens during storms. Do they close the rides? I'm assuming everyone in the park probably hoardes into the stores for shelter.

If the rides remain open, is this a good time to get in line, or are the lines about the same, rain or no rain?

What about the waterparks? I read that if there's a thunderstorm they kick everyone out, but if you stick around and go back after the storm is over there won't be any crowds.

Would you recommend bringing an umbrella, or would it be more hassle than it's worth?

 

[Bliff]

We usually go in late May or early June, and haven't found too much trouble with the storms. Yes, it usually does rain once a day, but many times we have entered a ride where the queue is indoors, ridden the ride, and by the time we get out, we find that it has rained while we were inside and has already stopped. It is a great time to stay in the parks, as a lot of people do leave.

It sure can pour during these storms, so it does drive a lot of people out, but if you find a spot to stay undercover, like in a queue, in a dark ride or in a store, you'll usually find that the storm is over within 10 - 15 minutes. Of course, some are longer, but most are short.

Regarding water parks... I don't know if they kick everyone out, but I do know they need to be able to see the bottom of any resort pool in order to allow people to swim, so they might close when the sky is dark and prevents them from seeing the bottom. At the water parks, they may not kick you out, but you'll probably be prohibited from being in the water until the rain goes away. There aren't a lot of great places to "hide" in the water parks, either, so I think a lot of people must leave.

Umbrella? Please, no! Trying to dodge the crazy parents with strollers is bad enough, , but several times I've had to reach out with my arm and "block" someone who was coming at me, head down and covered with an umbrella, with the little pointy thing at the top headed right towards my face. Bring a poncho instead!

 

[GenerationX]

Many rides stay open during summer rains. One of the big exceptions is Test Track. The lines are a little better during the rain.

What we have found works for us and our young kids is to have rain ponchos and an umbrella in our backpack. We all wear the rain ponchos, and we use the umbrella to keep the stroller from becoming a small pool. My wife and I prefer to have our hands free, which is why we don't rely on an umbrella for us.

We were at Blizzard Beach in the rain last summer. There was no lightning, so the park stayed open. And empty.

 

[speck76]

Umbrellas are useless. When it does rain, it rains so hard that an umbrella will not help you. Your best bet if you want to stay dry'ish is a poncho....also, you wont poke anyone in the eye with a poncho.

Your best bet if you are coming in July/August is to eat a large breakfast, and plan to eat luch when it starts to rain...normally the rain will be over by the time you are done eating. Keep in mind the restaurants can get packed during the rain with ppl seeking shelter.

If you are coming in June, the storms are usually a bit later in the day and not as strong as those in July/August.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

The best trip on Kilomajah Safari was in the rain. The animals were all out and it was great!

My family toughs it with umbrellas and just keeps on going! Shorter lines! Love it!

TheDisneyGirl02

 

[swimmom]

We've done every park in the rain. If it's crowded before the rain, it usually thins out. We head for indoor attractions and sometimes shops.

Umbrellas are a hassle and the water runs off of them down your back and on other people too. Rain ponchos work great and they dry real well on TTA!!!

Also don't forget to pack an extra pair of shoes, sometimes your shoes don't dry overnight.

 

[Sloan]

poncho & extra shoes

Swimmom is right on with the suggestion of extra shoes - the rain can be so intense that large puddles are inevitable, and ponchos also tend to shed water right on to your shoes, so they can get totally soaked. I'll also echo the sentiment that the poncho is far better than an umbrella, for the many reasons already stated.

I often find the rain to be a welcome relief from the heat, and it certainly does help to clear out the parks. Wait time often drop quite a bit, and it's worth it to stick it out.

 

[LudwigVonDrake]

I have been at WDW when they've closed Splash Mountain and Astro Orbiters due to Lightning. Usually if it's raining most everything runs. Big Thunder Mountain in the pouring rain is an experience :lol:


Next WDW Trip: July 9 - July 16 Pop Century :sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Originally posted by swimmom
Umbrellas are a hassle and the water runs off of them down your back and on other people too. Rain ponchos work great and they dry real well on TTA!!!

I have always found ponchos so warm that I feel wetter from sweating than from the rain...that's why I like umbrellas. But it all depends on the person!

TheDisneyGirl02

 

[TTA Traveller]

Personally I love the rain! When it pours we just break out the ponchos and keep on going, even mowing through ankle deep puddles...that's the best :lol: I've noticed some lines get shorter, but not too many.

As for the water parks, we get there early and by the time the afternoon rains come we've usually had enough of the park anyway. It doesn't close for rain, but if lightning comes then they make you leave (at least they did for us), but I think you can get a hand stamp or something (not sure what, we didn't bother to check) that'll let you re-enter after the threat of lightning etc has passed.

 

[Laura]

I never would have thought to bring extra shoes. Thanks for the suggestion.

I don't care for umbrellas either but in a few places I've read that you "must" bring your umbrella if you go to Disney in the summer, so I thought I better ask.

What time of day does it usually rain? We are going back to the hotel for naps around 12-3 every day. Maybe we'll miss the storms altogether?

 

[shari71]

I usually buy the ponchos - my husband doesn't like to wear his because he gets hot so I use it to cover the stroller so it doesn't get soaked. I think it is better to do the parks in the rain. Right after 9/11, Tropical Storm Gabriel hit and it poured for the last two days of our vacation. I packed the family off to the parks which were practically empty and it was great.

 

[Erika]

You can add 2 more poncho people to the list. We usually keep them in the camera bag, or sometimes we'll bring those really cheap ones from back home that are packaged small enough to fit in your pocket.

Even with a poncho, you are going to get wet. But that is half the fun. Just make sure you have a plastic bag in which to stash anything you want to keep dry!

 

[speck76]

Originally posted by Laura22
What time of day does it usually rain? We are going back to the hotel for naps around 12-3 every day. Maybe we'll miss the storms altogether?

Plan your nap for a little later. If you nap from 1:30-4:30, your will miss most of the storms, also, by the time you get back into the parks, it should be cooler.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Poncho Brigade

Yes, Poncho's Poncho's Poncho's!

If you don't want to pack them, they are always available there, although I suggest buying them while it is sunny as the rush when the clouds come is wild. Also, you may prefer a color other than yellow. Also it is good to ALWAYS carry them, in your backpack if you have it, as they can pop up very quickly.

Yes, extra pair of shoes or flip flops (although walking all day in them can be difficult)

My experience is that they seem to roll in around 2:30 to 4:00. We get out to the parks first thing, have lunch then leave. We go to the gym or spa during the storm, shower and go back to the parks for the evening and dinner.

Summer rain can come down in buckets so no umbrella will work. Most people huddle in stores or attractions, others are stuck under table umbrellas. Lightning is truly intense in the summer. It seems like a war movie at times. Florida is flat so there are a lot of strikes, as much to ground as to buildings. With that said, while walking in pouring rain and wading through instantly appearing 3" puddles is fun, get out when the lightning starts!

 

[ArchiDanDisney]

Originally posted by tigsmom
Personally, we stay away from the umbrellas...ever been pioked with one? Ponchos are the way to go. Always bvring 2 pairs of shoes; we learned this the hard way.

Last August , when we were there, it rained everyday between 2 & 4:30pm. The lightning forced quite a few things to close.

Its summer in Florida...it'll rain just about every afternoon.

But the boats keep runnin!:lol:

 

[Laura]

I might just change my itinerary a little now, and go back from 1-4 instead of 12-3 each day.

I happen to enjoy playing in the rain, but I don't think it would be fun to get my 2 kids and the stroller soaking wet day after day!

But I will be sure to bring ponchos, extra clothes, shoes, and plastic bags!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Only been to WDW once in summer (and it was an unusal summer, Aug 2003.) We aren't going back in summer again. I much perfer Jan, March May ect..

It rained every day (for the whole 10 days.) and not just the afternoon for 1 to 2 hours. Often as much a 4 to 8 hours a day of rain. (it was a really rainy summer.) In those 10 days we were not as able to get much done. We found MK the best to do in the rain, Epcot not so good since things are so spread out.

If you have a stroller bring a rain cover. Keep it on the stroller when you go into atractions if there is a change of rain that day or in the afternoon. It can be sunny when you go in and dumping when you get out. We just keep some ponchos, the rain cover and the umbrella in a bag on the stroller at all times.

If a water park closes before 3:00 they will refund your money. If it is after 3 it is considered your loss. They only close it if they are unable to run rides due to lightning for over an hour.

Let's hope this summer isn't as rainy!

 

[TURKEY]

Originally posted by Laura22

What time of day does it usually rain? We are going back to the hotel for naps around 12-3 every day. Maybe we'll miss the storms altogether?

It rained today around 4.

I got extremely wet delivering luggage.

 

[speck76]

When I left work in LBV today, it was raining....When I got home (about 1 mile north of Universal) it was sunny, and had not rained. It still has not rained.

FL storms are very small. It could pour at MGM and be sunny at MK.