By David Eckstein-Schoemann
Did you and your family travel all the way to Disney World to spend a day at the parks, only for Florida weather to suddenly start pouring on you? Then we are here to tell you that this does not mean the end of your trip. That is because we are here to list the different perks and tips on how to enjoy your day with minimal sensory stress.
Is Disney Worth it in the Rain? YES!
The most obvious perk being there are a low number of crowds during the rain. Most people are either going indoors to avoid the rain, or leaving the park to go somewhere else. Because of this, the wait times for many rides will be lower than usual. While certain outdoor rides will be shut down due to weather conditions, there are many indoor attractions and shows that you can practically walk right into. Plus you might be able to have a chance to catch the rainy day parade!
Tip 1: Ponchos & Change of Clothes
One tip that we highly recommend is how you dress. When going to Disney in the rain, dress is key in how your day will turn out. Obviously, this means no jeans or other materials that will cling to you when it gets wet. Outside of what you wear, the best way tip we can give you in this department is to wear a poncho. If you don’t have a poncho, or forgot one in the room, don’t stress! They do sell ponchos in the gift shops, you may just have to ask!
Another thing to think about is shoes. Having a waterproof shoe can be very helpful in the rain. However, we understand why a waterproof shoe or sandal may not be ideal for a full day walking around the parks. This is why we recommend bringing extra pairs of socks. No one likes wet socks, especially when you’re stuck wearing them all day!
Tip 2: Covered Walkways & Gift Shops
Our next tip is to look out for covered walkways and gift shops with multiple entrances. For example, the Magic Kingdom Emporium gift shop on the left side of Main Street (left when entering the park, right when exiting) extends all the way toward the Crystal Palace near the center of the park. Admittedly the path can get crowded due to the rain, but it keeps you dry as you and your party make your way toward the castle. Each of the parks have gift shops with multiple entrances that will at least get you somewhere further than where you started, and worse comes to worse, you get some shopping done while the rain calms down!
Tip 3: Have a Plan!
Taking in all the important perks and details, the most important tip of all is to have a plan. One way is to always keep an eye on the weather app to see if the rain will get better or worse in the area. You can then use the MyDisney experience app to keep an eye on show times, and match the down pours to the indoor entertainment. There are also plenty of other options such as going shopping, or having lunch to pass the time.
If none of this is working for you, or if your party feels like they have had enough, don’t force yourself at the parks. It’s okay to leave and call it a day. A resort day is still a magical Disney day in our minds!