Rainy season has come to Orlando, and the amount of moisture coming down in the afternoons continues to increase. This mixture of hot temperatures and extra humidity in the air can make an afternoon at the parks unbearable for some. But, if you come prepared, Disney during and after the daily rain can still be very enjoyable.
There are a few things you will want for a trip to the parks when the chance of rain is 30 percent or higher (which is almost every day this time of year): rain coat, plastic ziploc bags, newspaper, and a mini fan.
#1 Rain Coat
You can be like the hoards of others that rush into every merchandise location the moment it starts raining and pay $8.50 (plus tax!) for the standard Disney rain jacket, or you can come prepared with a much cheaper option that you can throw on the moment it starts raining.
Hint: If you want to be really cheap, you can get extra large trash bags. These wont cover your head, but other than that, they do the same job.
#2 Plastic bags
Protect your belongings. Throw your wallet and anything else you don’t want to get wet in a large Ziploc-type bag and then put that inside of the backpack you brought with you. Bring sandwich size bags for your phones. Any smartphone will still be able to operate through the bag and it will keep the phone from water damage.
#3 Newspaper
This may sound like the oddest item on the list since newspapers tend to crumble in the rain, but it is very useful for those wet sneakers you will most likely have. When you get back to your hotel room, take off those shoes, ball up some newspaper, and stuff it into the shoes. After about an hour, take that out and put in a fresh piece. Continue this until the water is out of your shoes. The newspaper will suck it up, much like a sponge.
#4 Mini Fan
Another thing that you can save on by purchasing before you enter the park is a mini fan. It will come in very handy after the rain has cleared and the air is so humid it feels like walking through soup.
If you’re wondering about what kind of impact the rain will have on the rides you have access to, here is the answer: very little. Rain by itself does very little to effect the operation of most rides at Walt Disney World. Except, of course, for the obvious exceptions, like Kilimanjaro Safari, where the animals may want to hide. Thunder and lightning is what will have a greater impact. If the safety of guests is in question, rides will be shut down. This only applies to rides that include an outdoor element, like Big Thunder and Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom, and Test Track at EPCOT. Most rides will continue operation. This is a great time to go, since a lot of people will be fleeing the parks due to the rain.
A rainy day at the Walt Disney World resort can be just as enjoyable as a sunny one, as long as you come prepared. Don’t let rain take you by surprise. Keep an eye on the forecast and have a plan for the rides you will head to if rain starts to fall. And make sure to dry out those tennis shoes! You don’t want to deal with wet shoes for the rest of your trip.
And my pick for the best park to visit when it’s raining: EPCOT
This park has plenty to do inside, especially if you stay on the Future World side of the park. From Living With the Land and The Seas with Nemo & Friends, to Innoventions and EPCOT Character Spot, there is lot’s to do indoors when the rain or the heat become unbearable. A nice side effect of the rain is that it can flush the crowds out of places like World Showcase. So head there when the clouds part. You’ll find it much easier to navigate the crowds and see the ‘World’ in record time.
Those are my top tips to weathering any storm at Walt Disney World! Do you have some watery wisdom you’d like to share in the comments below?
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