Realistic Rain Expectation? Trip Next Week (6/11)

[Sundown]

I leave for the Parks next week, June 11 for a week's stay. I have been looking ahead on my weather app and it shows the thunderstorm icon for EVERY day.

But..what should I realistically expect as far as rain and being at the parks? There is some times a difference between what is predicted on a weather app and what the experience is on the ground.

- Should I expect rain all day long? Constant rain? Shorter bursts?
- Footwear: Should I expect my shoes will be soaked every day? I have purchased shoe rain covers. Should I expect to wear them non-stop? I am trying to avoid sandals, as they aren't great for my feet.
- Rain gear: I have ponchos, a well brimmed hat, a micro umbrella.
- Any other advice?

Many thanks!

 

[BigRedDad]

It is FL. You have the heat, humidity, Gulf winds. There is a chance of thunderstorms every day when that occurs. FL Rule #1: If you don't like thunderstorms, wait 5 minutes.

 

[ptaylor]

Typically you can expect a thunderstorm daily during the summer.

This past week has been different to normal. Lots of cloud cover, and periods of continual rain. It was a very dry Spring, and the summer is looking very wet.

Keep an eye on the forecast, they are often not accurate in this area for more than a day or so ahead.

 

[disneygeek90]

It will rain. It's been almost a week of consistent afternoon rain here. While I see you said you don't like sandals, throw a pair in your backpack. Once it starts raining, switch to them and limit your walking. Once the rain is over, you can switch back to your (dry) socks and shoes. Putting the poncho over your bag will also make sure everything including your bag stays dry.

You will be able to tell when it is about to rain and should have at least a few minutes before it really starts pouring. Hopefully it is a short burst... but you never know. Usually not all day, though.

 

[LAKid53]

I think the rain we've been getting in Florida this week is tied to a tropical depression currently passing through which is expected to clear out by Friday. We are currently under a flood watch in North Florida. It's been raining most of the day, with some heavy rains.

I'm not complaining - we need the rain right now, since we're in drought conditions.

As others have posted, pack some cheap disposable ponchos, extra pair of sock/shoes in your backpack - I also like to pack a small hand towel or wash cloth to dry my face & glasses off if I get wet. Just make sure to wear clothes with quick drying fabrics in case you get caught in a downpour. Your rain gear is fine.

The summer thunderboomers in Florida occur around 2-3PM. It takes that long for the sun to heat up the air over the Gulf and that warm, moist air to make its way inland. It will pour for about 15 minutes and then stop. And be really, really humid - you can watch the steam rise off the sidewalks. You'll know when its coming - starts to get dark, the wind will pick up and there will be this big black cloud in the sky....and only over one part of the park, lol. That's our weather in Florida. It can be raining on your neighbor's house down the street and sun shining on yours....

 

[Sundown]

Everyone, thank you all very much for your replies. This is exactly the type of real world info I was hoping for. Many thanks for your suggestions & help!

 

[Hakunamatata]

Its been pretty freaking misserable. Ladt saturday we were stuck on the MK minorail platform in torential rain then trying to navigate the park was horendous. Today torential rain while at DAK. The last six days there has been some form or fashion of rain. Some severe, some normal shower.

 

[Jabbas]

I'm two hours from WDW so I have the luxury of not going in the summer. Normally it's rains and then it stops, rains and stops. The last few days it's been raining all day and only stopping for 10/20 minutes. Well at least where I live. If your in Florida at all in the summer just count on rain.

 

[BigRedDad]

What's happening right now in FL is atypical. They are seeing torrential downpours. I am hoping Mother Nature gets all of this out of the way soon and return to the normal afternoon 20-30 minute storms. My advice is to get to Walmart before you leave, get the $1 emergency ponchos, and go. Otherwise, the Walmart off Vineland has $3 Disney style ponchos that are a little heavier duty. Get some of those, pack them in a backpack, and just plan on getting wet.

One thing I have learned living down there and going to WDW is that people scatter like roaches when the light turns on if it is raining. If the rides are open, they are all going to be walk ons.

 

[Kristamouse]

We are happier with the Frog Togg's rain gear jackets that are breathable. Keeps your much drier than a poncho and cooler too. They dry very quickly and fold up into a pouch.
Also work nicely if you freeze in restraints like I do
We also keep a hand towel for drying off and a hat to keep the rain off your face.

 

[correcaminos]

We find accuweather has been most accurate for predicting rain. Except for today we were able to avoid walking in it. Either get hiking sandals or prepare for wet feet. The rain often does not last more than an hour or so though. We had rain possible on the forecast every single day as well. We only used the ponchos today (yesterday it rained just during lunch). Ours are more breathable but still cover clothing.

 

[correcaminos]

What's happening right now in FL is atypical. They are seeing torrential downpours. I am hoping Mother Nature gets all of this out of the way soon and return to the normal afternoon 20-30 minute storms. My advice is to get to Walmart before you leave, get the $1 emergency ponchos, and go. Otherwise, the Walmart off Vineland has $3 Disney style ponchos that are a little heavier duty. Get some of those, pack them in a backpack, and just plan on getting wet.

One thing I have learned living down there and going to WDW is that people scatter like roaches when the light turns on if it is raining. If the rides are open, they are all going to be walk ons.

They weren't scattering today.... and today was the first day we had a lot of rain during the waking hours. Nothing was torrential IMO. Solid rains. Yesterday was such a stereotypical rain. Went to lunch, it rained. Finished lunch and it was done.

 

[DisAl]

Usually this time of year you can almost set your watch by the three o'clock thundershowers, but they are usually brief. When we were there last June it rained every afternoon for a little while but we were lucky in that we were in an attraction every time it rained.
I think (as several have already mentioned) the best tip is to get several of the cheap "dollar store" disposable ponchos. At 50 cents or a dollar apiece we just throw them away rather than trying to dry them out for the next day.

 

[LAKid53]

As I said in an earlier comment, there's a system moving through Florida - hopefully it clears out this weekend. We got up to 8" of rain yesterday in my part of the Panhandle and have been under a flood watch for the past few days.

It's Florida...the weather changes hourly. And hurricane season started last Thursday, so we are entering the rainy season....

 

[mousehockey37]

Well, it's Central Florida in summer...

Heck... for a few minutes you might even have this:

 

[rob0519]

Usually this time of year you can almost set your watch by the three o'clock thundershowers, but they are usually brief. When we were there last June it rained every afternoon for a little while but we were lucky in that we were in an attraction every time it rained.
I think (as several have already mentioned) the best tip is to get several of the cheap "dollar store" disposable ponchos. At 50 cents or a dollar apiece we just throw them away rather than trying to dry them out for the next day.

Yes, a lot of the time the rain lasts an hour or less, but on our last trip we had several days where the rain lasted 4 and 5 hours. We spent one full evening huddled under the Astro Orbiter only venturing out for existing Fast Passes.

 

[ninjaprincesst]

In all the trips I have made to Disney (around 30 lost exact count) I have only had one trip where it did not rain, and I have been at all different times of year, so like someone else said it's gonna rain, just throw on a pancho and go about your day.