You can never fully predict the weather when planning a vacation to Walt Disney World (or any vacation for that matter). Rain is inevitable in Florida, especially in the Spring and Summer months. It often rains daily, even if just for 20 minutes. And then there are times the forecast calls for a wet and soggy day, without any chance of the sun coming out.
So, now what? You’ve planned a whole day at the parks! You can still head to the parks, most attractions are still up and running, so grab your poncho and be on your way. However, if you decide sloshing around in puddles is not your cup of tea, there are plenty of other activities to do at the Most Magical Place On Earth when it rains! Don’t let it get you down, there is still plenty to do!!
Here is my list of 8 recommendations to handle rainy days at Walt Disney World:
SHOPPING
There is no shortage of shopping at each of the 4 theme parks, but if you choose not to venture to the parks on a rainy day, Disney Springs is another great alternative. Disney Springs is free to everyone and offers a wide variety of shopping for men, women and children including accessories, clothing, and all things Disney. If you have your own car or have rented one, there are several outlets in the area as well.
DINING
Who doesn’t love to eat? While this blog post is geared more toward a full day of rain, we all know that Florida rain showers happen daily, especially in the Summer months. This may be a great time for you to take cover and have a bite to eat! There is no shortage of dining options in each of the theme parks. Remember, you do need a valid park ticket to enter into the park if dining at one of the park restaurants. Many of them do require a dining reservation in advance and can sometimes be hard to get into on the spot. But that doesn’t mean that you still can’t get a table. You can check the My Disney Experience park app for reservation openings or check in directly at the restaurant. If everything is full, Quick Service is the best alternative.
AMC MOVIE THEATER
What better way to spend a rainy day than at the movies! Head to the AMC Movie Theater located at Disney Springs to enjoy the latest blockbuster!
“RAINY DAY CAVALCADE” PARADE
If you do choose to spend the rainy day in the parks, Magic Kingdom and Epcot offer the most indoor activities. Sometimes on rainy days, the Magic Kingdom offers the ‘Rainy Day Cavalcade’ parade to entertain young and old!
RESORT HOPPING
Another great option is resort hopping. Each resort offers it’s own unique theme and activities. All are free and open to the public to visit and explore. The Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary are on the monorail loop, so you can explore and stay dry!
BE PREPARED
I cannot stress this one enough! Before you leave for vacation, visit your local dollar store and pick up a few ponchos or umbrellas. The last thing you want is to get yourself caught in the rain without any protection at all. Dress appropriately as well. Wear clothing that will dry quickly, bring extra socks to change into, and avoid jeans if possible. Once jeans are wet, they take forever to dry! If you are in the parks for the day, I recommend renting a locker, it costs $10. You can store extra clothing, socks, etc. so you can change if you get soaked!
SPORTS FANS
Calling all sports fans!! Not everyone is a fan of shopping or running around the parks in the rain. If you have a sports fan in your party, or you yourself are one, visit ESPN on the Boardwalk and hang out for the day watching your favorite teams on the big screen!
EMBRACE THE WEATHER
Lastly, embrace the weather. Rain is inevitable in Florida and Walt Disney World. Being prepared is the most important and key to making your day less stressful, but don’t let the rain ruin your day. Remember you are at the Most Magical Place On Earth! There is so much to do and see, don’t let a little water stop you.