Rainy days at Disney....

[fillerup]

Just have to weigh in a bit on the central Florida weather patterns that everyone talks about. Yes, the afternoon showers, come and gone in 40 minutes is definitely part of our pattern - that's the time of day that heat and humidity are highest and the seabreezes from both coasts collide over the castle. But there's a lot more to it than that.

This summer has been especially rainy, July for example only had one day without official rain. On top of that, we've had loads of nightime storms. There's one going on now, after 8pm, and this is the third or maybe fourth night in a row.

There have been numerous nights when storms have gone on to 10 and 11 o'clock. And I've seen a few dandy lightning storms extending past midnight. On top of that, several mornings this year, I've been awakened by rolling thunder at 5 or 6am.

It's not been a typical year at all it seems to me. Although I have heard a couple of meteorologists say that this is actually a return to a more typical pattern.

 

[Magenta Panther]

When I've visted WDW in September/October, there have almost always been brief squalls of rain, but they're short-lived and don't interfere with my fun. One thing though: nuts to ponchos. Bring along a small collapsible umbrella that you can stow away in your purse or backpack or whatever. It's no fun wearing drippy ponchos that you have to take off and on and/or carry over your arm. An umbrella is much easier to deal with and you'll stay just as dry, if not drier.

 

[luv]

It's the South and it's summer there is a decent chance of rain every day. I counted one time where we got 34 days of rain on the SC coast, just every afternoon the pop up showers would start. No big deal, plan to eat or go back to the room around 3:30-4 because that's about the time the storms start up.

Just checked the hurricane forecast and something is headed for FL and it looks like Sept. 7 and 8th is when it would be effecting Orlando. Ohh you might have a problem or you might not depends on whether the storm gets stronger????/ Could hit mostly at night as well but no one can nail down the timing right now. I wouldn't worry not a major storm and you may not even notice it as it goes by.

There is NO HURRICANE heading for Florida! There isn't even a tropical storm.

Not now, anyway. You never know when one will pop up. We can never rest easy. I don't want Mother Nature to think I'm tempting her by saying it isn't possible!

But there is nothing forecasted as of now.

This year, it has rained nearly every single day since the beginning of June. I think there have been five days without rain since May ended. Looking forward to the end of this. Of course, then the fires will start. Always something!

When I've visted WDW in September/October, there have almost always been brief squalls of rain, but they're short-lived and don't interfere with my fun. One thing though: nuts to ponchos. Bring along a small collapsible umbrella that you can stow away in your purse or backpack or whatever. It's no fun wearing drippy ponchos that you have to take off and on and/or carry over your arm. An umbrella is much easier to deal with and you'll stay just as dry, if not drier.

I so agree. Ponchos are not allowed to be worn on many rides, so you get wet taking it on and off all the time, plus you have to hold the wet mess on the ride, getting you more wet.

You also sweat a lot when you wear a plastic clothing in the hot, humid temps.

Umbrellas will keep you drier and are easier to deal with. Disney was selling them for a while last year. I don't know if they still do, but most drug stores and grocery stores carry them. Uni sells them. Some gas stations sell them.

 

[Magenta Panther]

There is NO HURRICANE heading for Florida! There isn't even a tropical storm.

Not now, anyway. You never know when one will pop up. We can never rest easy. I don't want Mother Nature to think I'm tempting her by saying it isn't possible!

But there is nothing forecasted as of now.

This year, it has rained nearly every single day since the beginning of June. I think there have been five days without rain since May ended. Looking forward to the end of this. Of course, then the fires will start. Always something!
I so agree. Ponchos are not allowed to be worn on many rides, so you get wet taking it on and off all the time, plus you have to hold the wet mess on the ride, getting you more wet.

You also sweat a lot when you wear a plastic clothing in the hot, humid temps.

Umbrellas will keep you drier and are easier to deal with. Disney was selling them for a while last year. I don't know if they still do, but most drug stores and grocery stores carry them. Uni sells them. Some gas stations sell them.

I actually bought the umbrella I use at WDW at...WDW! At a shop in the Great Britain section of Epcot. Figures the home country of Mary Poppins would sell umbrellas...

 

[Redjpang]

I only had a half day in June to hit Disney with my Sister. We were unprepared because this was an unplanned trip. It started to drizzle when we entered the MK. Headed for Space Mountain. Hardly any line. Maybe 20 minute wait. By the time we exited Space Mountain, the water was 18" deep. in the area. Needless to say everybody was waiting for it to stop raining. We just Marched through it and headed for next ride. Line was Non-existent. We were wet, but probably the best unplanned stop we have ever had at WDW. Only wish we had change of clothes in car. Don't worry if it rains, make the best of it and March on.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

We are headed to the World next weekend and I am seeing 70-80% chance of rain each day we are in the parks... This is going to be a short trip for us (only 3 days in the parks).

Is there many attractions they close down due to bad weather?

I am kinda down in the dumps about it (even though I am a firm believer in a rainy day in Disney is better than a sunny day at work!), but my husband said we need to take FULL advantage of the fact that it will be rainy. We purchased the Disney ponchos last time we were there, so he said we will sling those bad boys on and enjoy the shorter lines!

Many of the others have been very lucky. We went in September last year and it rained almost continually for two of our four days. It rained almost every minute from seven until midnight the night of the MNSSHP. I didn't know until months later that they will reimburse you if it rains the whole time of the party. They finally were able to get in one parade around 10:30. I was just thankful it was not our first party. The next night was beautiful. If it truly is going to rain all day, then get rainsuits. Umbrellas and ponchos are a waste if it's raining continually. If you really want to use ponchos, the .88 ones at WalMart work the best. They are longer and sealed on the sides. When we used Disney ponchos, we still got wet through the openings on the sides. The cheap ones are very thin, not as hot as the thick ones, easy to carry, and it's no big deal to toss them when you don't need them. They are small enough to carry in a pocket. The dollar store ones are not as good as the Wal Mart ones. As per luv, make sure and carry extra shoes. Nothing will give you a blister faster than wet shoes, and they feel gross. I always carry extra shoes even when it isn't going to rain. I have problem feet, and I need to change out my shoes daily.

 

[Mr Morrow]

'The nicest thing about the rain, is that it always stops. Eventually.' - Eeyore

 

[StarWarsGirl]

It has been an extremely rainy/stormy summer. Every day there has been a chance for thunderstorms. It has also been extremely humid, more so than usual it seems. Just go and have fun! No lightning, then the rides usually are still working unless it's a complete downpour w/ flooding!

Really? When I was there in August we went several days with no rain! It was definitely dryer in WDW this summer. Also hotter. Now back home, er, not so much

 

[luv]

Really? When I was there in August we went several days with no rain! It was definitely dryer in WDW this summer. Also hotter. Now back home, er, not so much

Yes, really. It has rained a lot more this summer. Lucky you, if you were here for the few days we had no rain at all. It has rained nearly daily all summer this year.

I didn't notice this summer being appreciably hotter than others. I am ready for the humidity to break, though. Come on, October!!!

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Yes, really. It has rained a lot more this summer. Lucky you, if you were here for the few days we had no rain at all. It has rained nearly daily all summer this year.

I didn't notice this summer being appreciably hotter than others. I am ready for the humidity to break, though. Come on, October!!!

Yep, that was when I was there! Except it was 2 weeks of generally less rain. The first week was very little, the second week was little to normal. I was also in MK when the lightning hit and several of the attractions went down.

Now one August I went and it was rainy and gloomy every day. It was cooler and we ended up straying from our normal pool routine to do parks, but still.

Some people probably think we're crazy when we say, "Oh, it's going to storm. Let's head to Epcot."

 

[laynalee07]

Well, we leave on Friday and now the rain chance is down to 40%!
Either way, we are just gonna make the best of it!
Rain or shine, HERE WE COME!

 

[DBTAY]

That's the best attitude you can have!! Rain or Shine can't take away from Disney magic

One of my favorite photos is of my daughter and I with both of our heads poking out of a hooded poncho outside of the teacups during a rainstorm!

 

[Adrian DIxon]

some of my best memories are of rainy days at WDW. in fact our first day of our honeymoon this year on may 20th my wife and I were in DTD shopping. we got poured on and ran into t-rex café. we saw no end to the downpour so my incredibly intelligent wife says " hey lets go to the bar and have some drinks" so we went over sat down had some incredible drinks and some onion rings and I bet you we sat there for 2 hours just enjoying each others company relaxing and doing what 2 people should be doing on a honeymoon having fun and being romantic!

 

[laynalee07]

Well we are on the magical express headed to Kadani Village and its bright and beautiful outside!.....
40% chance of rain today, but no chances the next 4 days!
Thanks everyone for helping me stay positive about the rain issues!

 

[disneyfan1995]

When it rains the lines are definitely shorter (in my experiences at least) and all of the rides have been opened. I think it has to be raining really bad for rides to close (Jungle Cruise, Splash, BTM, etc). I'd just bring the ponchos like you said and maybe an umbrella and just go out and make the most of it! Also, with what others have been saying 70-80% chance of rain doesn't mean the entire day in most cases!

 

[fillerup]

Yet another long, lingering storm today - 3 or 4 hours so far. Pretty impressive action, thunder that's actually rattling the windows. Same yesterday.

 

[laynalee07]

Yet another long, lingering storm today - 3 or 4 hours so far. Pretty impressive action, thunder that's actually rattling the windows. Same yesterday.

Yes... We were at epcot today. Went in to see the film in France with the sun out shining and came out to thunder and lightening! I think that started around 2 give or take.
Finally left the park at 8 and it was still raining!

 

[The Mighty Tim]

Good thing about Florida is that after it rains, you can get dry pretty quickly. Unless it's heavy, persistent rain of course.

Got caught out in the rain at EPCOT last time, in the one location furthest from any shelter (i.e. between Future World and World Showcase). We got totally saturated. In fact, I think we would have been less wet if we had fallen into the lagoon. Anyway, since we had Fast Passes for Soarin' and we couldn't get any wetter, we just walked to The Land.

 

[willtravel]

Yet another long, lingering storm today - 3 or 4 hours so far. Pretty impressive action, thunder that's actually rattling the windows. Same yesterday.

I wish I had some of your rain. In my area of Ohio, I have had a couple half day rains in August and that's it. My grass matches the color of dirt.

 

[Britt]

Enjoy!!! I love it when it rains out there! Despite wet jeans and the humidity...it cools off so much and the lines are WAY shorter

Enjoy your trip