What to do at Disney When it Rains – Strategies for a Rainy Day at Disney World

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A day at Walt Disney World in the rain is still better than a day at home, right?

It’s not uncommon to experience a few rainy days when traveling to Orlando, especially during the summer months and hurricane season.

Orlando’s rainiest time is usually between June and October. These summer showers are usually over pretty quickly, and then the sunshine returns.

The good news is that the Disney World theme parks are open each day come rain or shine, and you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained no matter the weather.

Today we’re going to share some of the best things to do on a rainy day at Walt Disney World to help you make the most of your next vacation in Orlando.

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What To Do At Disney World When It Rains

Start Your Day Early to Avoid the Rain

The number one way to stop rain from ruining your time in Orlando is to start your day early where possible.

This is good advice at any time of the year when you are visiting the Orlando theme parks.

The crowds are much lower at the start of the day in the Disney World parks, and you’ll find that the rain doesn’t usually come until later in the day.

By the time you’ve done all of the major attractions, you won’t feel so bad about seeing movies or shows to get away from the rain in the afternoon.

Disney Genie+ also offers you the chance to try and get as many rides done as possible early on in the day, so that you take a break if the rain gets too much later on.

Brave the Theme Parks

A rainy day doesn’t mean that you have to cancel your plans to visit the theme parks.

With an average of 75 rainy days in Orlando each year, you are probably going to encounter a rainy day when you visit.

One advantage of the rain is that many people will leave the theme parks when the downpour starts. If you tough it out for a while then you may find that the lines are shorter.

While some attractions and experiences may be down during the rainy period, you’ll still find the indoor attractions running as usual.

Some outdoor attractions are likely to shut down in the rain. These include:

• Test Track in Epcot
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Magic Kingdom
• Slinky Dog Dash in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Expedition Everest in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

These closures occur for safety reasons. You might be prepared to brave the rain, but with rain comes the risk of lightning – and you really don’t want to be on an outdoor attraction in a thunderstorm.

Will The Fireworks Go Ahead if it Rains?

Disney World fireworks will still go ahead in the rain.

However, for safety reasons, fireworks in all the Disney theme parks will be canceled if there is lightning or high winds.

Which is the best Disney World Park in the Rain?

Epcot is a great option for any day, where you can head to The Land Pavilion and spend a couple of hours inside enjoying attractions such as Living with the Land and Soarin’.

A short distance away is The Seas with Nemo and Friends Pavillion. This is another indoor Pavilion where you can spend time out of the rain.

Here you will find The Seas with Nemo and Friends and Turtle Talk with Crush attractions.

These attractions are more for the younger ones, but all ages will enjoy exploring the 5.7 million-gallon aquarium. Here you can watch dolphins, manatees, and a huge range of other aquatic life.

World Showcase in Epcot also has some great places to explore which are indoors.

Canada, China, France, and America Pavillions in Epcot all have movies that are worth taking some time for and which can be a great escape from the rain.

One of the best is the Mexico Pavillion which has an indoor market and the somewhat outdated but still fun Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros. You will rarely wait long in line for this boat ride attraction.

Or see if you can get a spot at La Cava del Tequila, and sample one of the 200 tequilas or a Mexican beer.

There is also plenty to do in Magic Kingdom when it rains. Although it is likely that some of the outdoor rides will shut down, there are many excellent indoor attractions at Magic Kingdom.

If you are in Fantasyland you can head to It’s a Small World. This classic ride will get you out of the rain. The line is inside and who can resist that song that will stick with you forever?

Or you could watch Mickey’s PhilharMagic. This 12-minute show is a lot of fun and will give you shelter from the rain.

If you are looking for a nostalgic experience go to Carousel of Progress. It’s a great place to get out of the rain, and at 20 minutes long, is perfect for if you want a mid-afternoon nap as well!

Hollywood Studios is not the easiest option in the rain – but it is still doable if you find yourself in a downpour.

Often if you take shelter for a while you may find yourself rewarded with more manageable lines in Galaxy’s Edge.

We typically recommend avoiding Animal Kingdom on a rainy day if you don’t want to get too wet, as this is the most open of the theme parks.

The distance between the attractions in Animal Kingdom also tends to be longer than at the other parks – so moving from one to the other takes more time and therefore gives a higher chance of you getting drenched!

That being said, the animals are often quite active in the rain, and with the lower crowds, it can be a great chance to experience popular attractions here.

Some of the line for Avatar Flight of Passage is inside so if crowds have dispersed in the rain this may be a good chance to ride.

The Festival of The Lion King or Finding Nemo are both excellent shows which are completely indoors – so take the chance to see these in the rain.

Or you could just abandon your theme park visit and take the bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge.

A Monorail Resort Tour

The monorail resorts are the ideal place to shelter from the rain, especially if you are visiting the Magic Kingdom for the day.

Hop between the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, and Polynesian, where you can enjoy dining, shopping, and immersing yourself in the unique theming of each resort.

The great thing about these resorts is that the main buildings are all indoors, so you will be able to relax and enjoy a few hours out of the rainy weather.

By the time the rain passes, you can head back to the theme park to enjoy the rest of your day.

Book a Table Service Meal

If you didn’t book too many table service meals for your vacation as you wanted to maximize your time in the theme parks, a rainy day is a good chance to sit down and relax at one of the resort’s many incredible restaurants.

We recommend booking your meals in advance of your trip, but on a rainy day, simply open up the My Disney Experience app and see if there’s any availability for the day.

You’ll often be surprised by the number of last-minute bookings on offer, even for some of the most popular restaurants.

Combine this with a trip around a Disney World Resort you‘ve never visited before and you’ll find it’s a great way to pass a few hours away from the rain.

Sanaa Bread Service – One of the Best Choices

Animal Kingdom Lodge is a little less accessible but if you have a car a visit can be more than worth it. The lobby is beautiful and a great place to just sit and watch the world go by.

Once the rain has stopped head outside past the swimming pool at the resort to see the animals. They may be particularly active after the rain.

See if there are any reservations available at Boma, or even head over to Sanaa at Kidani Village – these are two of the best restaurants at any Disney World Resort.

Explore Disney Springs

Disney Springs is the perfect location for a rainy day if you don’t want to waste a day of theme park tickets.

Here you’ll find endless dining, shopping, and recreation opportunities, which will keep you busy until the rain passes.

While the area isn’t completely covered, you can spend time exploring the World of Disney store or some of the other connected stores on a rainy day.

Best Disney Springs Breakfast and Brunch

There are plenty of great dining options on offer here as well, so no matter what you fancy for lunch or dinner, you can enjoy a memorable meal with your family.

Plan a Night Out at the Boardwalk

A rainy evening doesn’t mean you need to turn in early for the night.

Instead, adults can head over to the Boardwalk for an evening of dancing, drinking, and dining.

One of our favorite experiences here is Jellyrolls, which is a dueling piano bar.

The admission charge is well worth paying for guests over the age of 21, who will be impressed by the talent here. Before or after your visit, enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants here, which are typically a little quieter than those in the theme parks.

Use the My Disney Experience app to see if there are any last-minute reservations before planning a night out here.

Have an Afternoon Break

Rain typically passes through Orlando in the afternoons, which is the perfect time to take a break from the theme parks.

Head back to your resort for a nap or to explore the resort, and before you know it, the rain will have passed and you’ll be ready to go out again for the evening.

We recommend doing this regularly anyway as part of your touring plans, especially if you are traveling with kids or plan to stay out late at night.

A break is well worth it in the middle of a long park day, and you’ll then be ready to head out for the night and stay up for the fireworks.

These are just a few of the best ways to make the most of a rainy day in Walt Disney World.

We recommend packing ponchos and umbrellas for your whole family before traveling to Orlando so that the rain won’t stop you from having fun during your vacation.

The good news is that rain showers usually pass very quickly in Florida, so you’ll soon be back to enjoying your time in the theme parks once again.