Do you ever have a day at the parks planned, and then the weather comes and ruins all the fun? How about not knowing that rain was in the forecast, and being stuck at the parks unprepared? I’ve been in BOTH of those scenarios, and let me tell you, it’s not fun. Don’t get me wrong, I love the rain! The smell of the earth after the showers stop. The warm and cozy feels it brings. What I don’t like, is my stuff getting soaking wet, and that includes my kids. So is it actually possible to enjoy Disney with a rainy day forecast ahead? Absolutely. As long as you’re prepared ahead of time.
When it comers to rainy day park preparation, the first place i suggest starting is the stroller cover. Each stroller should have a coinciding rain cover for sale. I have made the mistake of traveling to the parks without my stroller cover and using a blanket instead. Spoiler alert: It’s NOT the same thing. Investing in a rain cover for your stroller is worth every cent it costs. Why? The cover is designed specifically to snug around your stroller, keeping everything, including your child, dry and happy. Most also come with a zipper on the side to allow your child to get in and out, without having to uncover everything else. I use the Joovy “Zoom 360 Ultralight” stroller and I swear by it. Hands down, best stroller I’ve ever had. They make a rain cover for it as well. I’ve linked both below:
https://joovy.com/zoom-360-ultralight/ https://joovy.com/zoom-360-ultralight-jogging-stroller-rain-cover/If you need additional dry storage, I would suggest taking advantage of the lockers they have available around the parks. If you are enjoying Disney’s California Adventure Park, there are full body dryers for $5 next to Grizzly Rapids. The water is a part of the process, but these options are here to help eliminate ruining your things, or creating a damper on your fun. Pun intended.
If you’re wondering what to do on a rainy day, the answer is everything you would normally do, but slightly altered. Some attractions are closed when the weather gets wet. Some of those are as follows:
- Storybook Canal Boats
- Mad Tea Party Spinning Teacups
- Tom Sawyer’s Island
- The Golden Zephyr
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
There are also a list of rides (not all options listed) that stay open regardless of the weather. Those rides are as follows:
- Most Fantasyland Rides like:
- Peter Pan
- Alice in Wonderland
- Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- It’s A Small World
- King Arthur’s Carousel
- Other rides in various lands including:
- Winnie The Pooh
- Splash Mountain (hey, you’re already wet)
- Tiki Tiki Room
- The Little Mermaid
- Monster’s Inc
Just head to the nearest information desk or City Hall on Main Street to ask what is available for the day. It often changes depending on how bad the weather actually is. Sometimes they will have the fireworks show in the rain, as long as wind isn’t an issue. Most of the time, they will replace it with a light show. Most often, parades are cancelled due to the rain. Character meet and greets are still available, but locations to where the characters are might change. If you are on the lookout for a certain character, ask the information desk at City Hall as to their whereabouts.
Above all, HAVE FUN and don’t worry if things don’t go as planned. Maybe you didn’t know it was going to rain. Maybe you’ve had this trip planned for months and there is just nothing you can do about the timing. The fact of the matter is, we’ll wait in line for over an hour for a water ride during the Summer. So as long as we’re prepared, a little water never really bothered anybody. You’re at the Happiest Place on Earth regardless of the rain. It’s still a beautiful day no matter what. Embrace the unexpected, but try to pack and plan ahead if possible. These are the things I always take with me for a rainy day:
- Ponchos (they also sell them at the Parks)
- Umbrellas
- Stroller Cover (I keep it in the car at all times)
- Rain boots & Extra Shoes (I keep in the locker)
- Towels and Extra Clothes
- Rain Jackets
- Portable Hand Warmers
- Beanies
- Thermos of warm water or soup
- Large waterproof bags for wet clothes. I love Bumkins Wet Bags:
If you’re staying in a hotel around the area, take a break and change. Sometimes all that constant rain pour can tire you out. So take a break and warm up, then head on back. If you’re not staying local, maybe just plan for a half day. The absolute best time to go to the Disneyland Resort is in the rain because there are virtually no lines for rides. The parks are empty and you can still enjoy a variety of shows and attractions. Just know your limit and come as prepared as possible. There are various fun buildings to explore that are completely covered. My favorite spot is the Animation Academy, specifically “Turtle Talk With Crush.” Utilize those spaces to wait out the storm and try something new.
I hope some of this helped. Like i said, above all, have fun and roll with the day and how it unfolds. This type of thing is not in our control, so it’s best to enjoy what we can. The rain can be really fun for the kids, and kids at heart. Don’t forget that umbrella!
Balancing Blocks 