Rain and the AK? Need input!

[LadyDarling]

I just checked the weather forcast and it looks like it may rain on our Animal Kingdom day! So - needless to say, I'm making up a back up plan, but has anyone been to the AK in the rain before? If so, pass on the good the bad and the ugly please!

 

[tigsmom]

Seems like everytime we go to AK it rains! :lol:
We just put on our ponchos and head on thru. Watch out for lightning...my kids were in the boneyard when it got hit...very scary.

Some of the rides in Hester & Chester's don't run in the rain, but thats about the only thing that bothered them.
Have a fun trip. :wave:

 

[imagineersrock]

IMO AK happens to be a very pro-outdoor park, and a rainy day can significantly bring down the fun factor... if anyway possible, i'd save AK for a clear day, then go to one of the other parks on a rainy day instead; at which there are many more indoor attractions.

just my opinion though!!

 

[LadyDarling]

No rain! I just checked the forecast again and there is no rain now on 12/1 (our AK day). Yeah!:sohappy:
I would have been a real pain to rework our entire day, as we had breakfast PS at Restrauntosaurus! It's tradition to start out trip out with AK and a character breakfast there. Plus, I'm taking a couple friends (both males in thier mid/early 20s) and it's a GREAT way of "breaking the ice" and insuring they'll be loosened up for the rest of the trip:animwink:

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

Last year I had a rainy AK day and it was so annoying!
I couldn't enjoy anything except Dinosaur which had an hour wait time!

But it was still fun because towards the parade time I begged for the rain to stop and it did! When we got on PW it started all over!

It was still fun!

 

[Shaman]

It has been my experience that AK is less crowded when it rains especially after twelve...I remember doing the whole park in less than three hours because it was raining and people headed out...mind you I rode Dino more than once....hit the animal exhibit trails and the safari and the tree of life...in all don't let the rain or the lighning or the thunder scare you away....rain is just rain....sometimes its a passing shower and people believe that it will rain all afternoon...IMHO when visiting AK rainy days are up there with cold days...it isn't as hot to walk around :lookaroun

:wave:

 

[leeocean]

I love the Animal Kingdom but not on a rainy day. DAK is a 95% outdoors and it's miserable in the rain. It's a place that needs to be done when you can take it all in and not rush from shelter to shelter. Plus, some of the animals seek shelter from the rain. If it rains, I would reschedule your day there.

 

[Goofyfanatic]

Also...DAK is much more enjoyable on cooler days...I am going to try my best to not plan any future WDW visits during the summer months...Just so I can get the most out of DAK.

 

[dmperry134]

Hi,

We just got back from a 2 week trip to Mickey Land on Saturday and the parks are pretty empty at present we never had to wait to go on any rides even Mission Space or Test Track. As for AK we got straight on the Kiliminjaro safari and the water rapids. There was plenty of places to duck under and hide when it rains, besides you can adorn yourself in one of Disney's new clear ponchos.

And don't forget the saying in Animal Kingdom - Notahzu!!

Have a great time

Dave from the UK

 

[FigmentJedi]

As long as there is no thunder, Chester and Hester rides will still run but Boneyard's slides will be closed. I know this from my last WDW trip when it started to rain while we were in line for Kali River Rapids

 

[RatonZamo]

I think that all depends in the way you see things.....
If you are traveling with adults the rain is not a big of a deal as if traveling with children or babys.

In my experience, rain will las only a few hours (3 at the most) and will cool down the day. And besides is only Disney Magic water.... it will dry out in a little time.

 

[TimeTrip]

Originally posted by RatonZamo
and will cool down the day.

Unless its a typical orlando day from may to august.. in which case it will be just as hot and slightly more humid than before it was raining

 

[meeko_33785]

I've only expereinced a lot of rain at AK once in all my trips. It started raining about half-way through the Maharajah Treck (about 10am) and did not stop until 3 or so. Trying to get out of Maharajah and Asia in the rain was terrible. The drainage on the paths was bad and the constant rain just made it very uncomfortable. I ended up Spending a lot of time at Tusker's and the shop at Africa until the rain let up enough to get to Camp Minnie-Mickey to see Lion King. After the show, the rain had cleared for a while and then started up again right about when the parade was about to start and then began raining even harder half-way through the parade. I would personally avoid AK on a rainy day. Too much of the attractions are outside and the drainage on many of the paths are not good.

 

[mrtoad]

Not sure if anyone said this already. The animals don't mind the rain, in fact it might make you see more of them because they can get out of the heat for a while. If you can put on your poncho and bear it, you will see more than you would think. We did the trail with the gorillas in the pouring rain, and I do mean pouring. They stayed out and were extremely close. I recomend doing it if you can.

 

[LadyDarling]

Well, we're leaving on Sunday and our AK day will be Monday. Doesn't look like rain anymore (whew!). Not that I mind, but the tigers are my fav and I'd hate for them to be under cover!

 

[disneyisbest]

I think the early forecast for central Florida is always rain. You can't get a more accurate one until like the day before you go. You are mostly likely to get a 3:00 shower on any day.

 

[barnum42]

Originally posted by mrtoad
Not sure if anyone said this already. The animals don't mind the rain, in fact it might make you see more of them because they can get out of the heat for a while. If you can put on your poncho and bear it, you will see more than you would think. We did the trail with the gorillas in the pouring rain, and I do mean pouring. They stayed out and were extremely close. I recomend doing it if you can.

I noticed some of the more relaxed animals became more animated in the rain. It did not bother the tigers and there is shade to be found in the viewing areas (not totally waterproof, but it keeps the worst off).

 

[LadyDarling]

Good to know! Thanks guys/gals!
3 more days!

 

[Heyyall]

I've been to DAK in the rain. Well, it wasn't that hard of rain, but the park was almost empty! We've decided that the first rainy day this year we will go to DAK. You'll have a great time