10 Fun Things To Do At Disney World When It Rains
Rain in the forecast for your Disney vacation? Never fear. We’ve got a list of the best things to do at Disney World when it rains.
Florida is nicknamed the Sunshine State for good reason. It’s known for sunny weather, high temperatures, and beautiful landscapes.
But all that gorgeous, lush scenery is largely because it receives enough rainfall to keep everything green. In fact, for almost half the year, it rains just about every day. And thunderstorms are frequent.
The good news is most showers are brief. And most thunderstorms are quick as well.
Yet, on occasion, the wet weather can stick around for much of the day. That might seem to not bode well for your time at Disney World.
Luckily, the folks at Disney are used to the state’s liquid sunshine. There’s plenty to do that will keep you (mostly) dry and still enjoying the magic.
Check out The resorts’ activity calendars.
One of the best hidden gems at Disney World resorts is also a great resource for what to do at Disney when it rains.
Many guests don’t realize that activity calendars are available at all resorts. And many of the activities are free and open to guests not staying at the resort.
Some are outdoor activities like yard games, campfires and movies under the stars that are best enjoyed in between rain showers.
Others though are indoor activities that can make great rainy day time fillers. Kids and adults can get creative by making things like tie-dye shirts, mosaics, or painted water bottles. Some resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge and Coronado Springs Resort even have dedicated art making experiences for guests. Although there are fees for most activities that allow guest to take their craft home, the fees are minimal.
Activity calendars can be just a bit tricky to find as the calendars change. Your best bet is to stop at the front desk at the resort or locate the signs in the lobby or at the pool. For specific activities that are a little more involved and scheduled regularly, check out Disney’s list of Enchanting Extras HERE.
2. Go shopping
There’s no shortage of stores at Disney World to fill even the longest rain day. Wether you’re looking for souvenirs, apparel, or an addition to the toy collection, you’re sure to find it.
Disney Springs is a a one-stop destination for a full day of shopping. It’s no surprise that you’ll find some of the best Disney themed products here. In fact, The World of Disney at Disney Springs is the largest Disney merchandise store in the world.
But, you’ll also find non-Disney stores like Anthropologie, Sephora, Under Armor, Coach and more at Disney Springs.
If you prefer your retail therapy a little closer to your home base, Disney resorts have stores as well. You’ll find things you might have accidentally left at home, like nail clippers and toothpaste. And you’ll find clothing items, toys, and things specific to the theme of that resort.
3. Go on a monorail crawl.
Outside of park attractions, the monorail is one of the most beloved features of Disney World. It’s a fun way to get to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and the Magic Kingdom resorts.
If you’re not visiting the parks you’ll want to hop on the resort loop monorail. This roundtrip ride takes about 20 minutes. It provides transportation to and from the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center.
If you’re doing a non-park rain day, visiting the monorail resorts is a great way to still get your Disney on. Each resort is wonderfully and uniquely themed.
One of the best ways to enjoy the resorts is to eat your way around the loop. The monorail provides access to some of the best restaurants at Walt Disney World. If you’re able to snag reservations, Chef Mickey’s, O’Hana, and California Grill are just a few fan favorites.
Even without reservations though, a monorail resort crawl makes for a fantastic way to do a progressive meal. At the Contemporary, enjoy Steakhouse 71 Lounge’s PB&J wings or Outer Rim’s cocktails or mocktails with a view of Bay Lake. Stop by the beautiful Tambu Lounge at the Polynesian for a California roll with lump crab meat or Korean-style pork ribs. And head to elegant Citricos Lounge at the Grand Floridian for a praline coconut tart.
However you choose to map out your monorail trip, you’ll find lounges and quick-service restaurants that don’t require reservations. For some of the best bites at each, check out THIS food crawl video from Wright Down Main Street.
Photo courtesy of herewiththeears.com
4. Do a Skyliner tour.
Disney’s newest mode of mass transport isn’t quite as weather proof as the Monorail. But, it still allows for ample opportunity to explore with limited time outside.
The gondola-style Skyliner carries guests to two parks, four resorts, and Disney’s Boardwalk.
That means it’s a fun way to see the lay of the land and taste the best of some on property restaurants.
Disney’s Riviera Resort, the only deluxe resort that has a dedicated Skyliner stop, features Topolino’s Terrace - Flavors of the Riviera. It opened to much fanfare for good reason and makes a top dinner choice. Or check out Banana Cabana or Sebastian’s Bistro at Caribbean Beach Resort for other sit-down options.
For coffee, drinks and more causal fare, all four resorts have good choices. One of our favorites for a really great selection of quick food is Landscape of Flavors at Art of Animation. The hotel also has a fun option for casual drinks at The Dropoff Bar. For a more upscale option, Bar Riva at the Riviera Resort is a sure win.
Speaking of Art of Animation… even though it is officially in the value category of resorts, don’t discount checking it out. In fact, both Art of Animation and Pop Century are fun to see.
If you catch either of the resorts in between rain drops, you can explore some of the best free playgrounds and cool oversized movie decoration Disney has to offer. Art of Animation, in particular, makes guests feel like they’re in the movies for which they’re themed. And they just happen to be themed after some of the best Disney movies ever - Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid.
Last, but not least, Disney’s Boardwalk is accessible via the Skyliner. It’s a chance to check out more great resorts like Disney’s Beach Club and Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. It also has arcade games, entertainment, shopping, and restaurants.
5. Check out other Disney resorts.
As you might be able to tell by now, we’re fans of Disney resorts. We think they’re worth checking out even if, maybe especially if, you aren’t staying there.
Resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge, while not on the Monorail or Skyliner loop, are still worth a visit.
Animal Kingdom Lodge has viewing areas for spying animals on the savannah, like giraffe, okapis, zebras, and more. The restaurants at the resort allow guests to try African fare, great wine, and meals even the kids will love.
Wilderness Lodge is another worthwhile choice, especially if you’re visiting near the holidays. The resort is beautiful and has fun dining and drink options.
Photo by Persnickety Prints on Unsplash
6. Bowl.
Bowling Disney-style is a great way to spend a rainy Orlando day. Splitsville Lanes, located in Disney Springs, is a 50,000 square foot space featuring more than just bowling lanes. It also encompasses pool tables, an outdoor space with live entertainment, and fun not-your-typical-bowling-alley food.
Reservations for lanes aren’t required and cost $10 more per bowler than regular rates. But, they can help you skip the wait.
Splitsville opens at 11 a.m. during the week and at 10:30 a.m. on weeekends.
7. See a movie or a Show.
Heading to the movie theater is one of our favorite rainy day activities and that rings true at Disney World too. AMC Dine-In Disney Springs is the place to go for all the latest movies. Ten of the theaters offer food delivered right to your seat. The other theaters offer grab-and-go selections for food and drinks.
Rather see live entertainment? Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil and Disney has twice daily performances Wednesdays through Sundays.
If you’ve never seen a Cirque show, you’re in for a treat. The acrobatics are nothing short of amazing and the music has the audience feeling all the feels. The show features a storyline about a young woman on a quest to find the story behind her father’s art sketches.
Shows are a perfect way to spend your rain day if you choose to go to the parks too. Each park offers indoor shows that are sure not to disappoint, with Hollywood Studios taking the cake for the most shows. Finding Nemo - The Musical and Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage are wonderful. But, Voyage of the Little Mermaid and The Frozen Sing-Along Celebration might be our favorites.
8. Swim.
The pools at Disney World are a huge part of the fun to be had. With epic theming and many having fun slides, Disney pools are often fan favorites.
While it might seem like a rain day isn’t the best time to hit the pool, in some cases it may actually be the perfect time.
Pools on property stay open unless there’s thunder and lightening in the area. And the temperatures are high much of the year in Florida. So even without sun, you’re unlikely to be chilly at the pool.
Combine that with the fact that you’ll already be wet and cloudy days often mean lower crowds. It’s a win-win.
9. Go to the arcade.
Did you know most hotels in Disney World have arcades? You’ll rarely find crowds in them either.
Arcades feature video games on everything from race cars and aliens to dance. Pinball machines, skeeball, and air hockey games are also available.
For all the details on arcades, check out THIS list of the best and biggest arcades at Disney World.
10. Visit the park as planned.
I admit that I’m a fair weather fan at times and I don’t love schlepping around in the rain.
But, we have, on occasion, stuck with a modified plan to explore a park on a day that calls for rain. We’ve watched radar and moved things around to arrive early or late or be indoors during the worst of it.
For starters, most rides do not close unless the rain is well beyond the sprinkle category. We’ve often ridden things outside, like Test Track and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, in light rain.
And crowds can be lower than normal on these days.
So, rain days don’t have to mean non park days.
Here’s the skinny on what’s open at each Disney World park when it rains:
Magic Kingdom
Some of our favorite rain-proof staples at Magic Kingdom are Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Haunted Mansion. We also love Space Ranger Spin and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Other great rainproof classics like Peter Pan’s Flight and It’s A Small World remain open. And even some new attractions, like TRON Lightcycle Run and Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid do not close.
Epcot
Epcot’s newest attractions, Guardians of the Galaxy, Frozen Ever After, and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, all remain open. Even the Moana themed Journey of Water stays open during light rain, but closes when rain gets heavy or there’s lightening. Other open attractions include Living with the Land, Mission: SPACE, The Sea with Nemo & Friends, Soarin’, and Spaceship Earth.
Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has several rainproof attractions. And unlike some of their counterparts at other parks, that take up a good chunk of time. Show-style attractions like For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration and Disney Junior Dance Party are two examples.
Even some of the newest and most popular attractions in the park are rainy day friendly. That’s true for Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Toy Story Mania.
And soggy Star Wars fans will be especially happy at Hollywood Studios. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run? Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance? Star Tours? Stars War Launch Bay? All are open in rain.
Animal Kingdom Park
Animal Kingdom Park may not have as many open rides during bad weather. But, the ones they do have are park staples. Avatar Flight of Passage, Finding Nemo: The Big, Blue and Beyond and Festival of the Lion King are all show stoppers. Na'vi River Journey deserves a nod too, as does Dinosaur and It's Tough to Be a Bug.
Other Disney World Rainy Day Tips and Tricks
Which park is best to visit on a rain day?
This is a debatable question among Disney fans. For our family, it depends on what we’re in the mood to experience. Some parks, like Hollywood Studios, are best for shows. While other parks, like Magic Kingdom and Epcot, offer more ride options.
If pressed to pick a favorite though, here is our ranking:
Epcot - The only attraction that’s not indoors is Test Track. While it is a favorite, at least we’re not missing multiple favorites if weather prevents much outside time. The Land Pavilion offers Soarin’, Living with the Land, Awesome Planet, and a descent quick service food option all under one roof. So you don’t even have to step outside to experience all four things. And the World Showcase provides lots of inside opportunities for exploring, as well as eating. I wouldn’t say you stay dry at Epcot, but the wetness is a bit more manageable.
Magic Kingdom - Having the most indoor attractions of any park bumps this park to number two on a rain day. Unless the rain lets up, you’ll miss a few iconic ones like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Big Thunder Mountain. But, you’ll have lots to keep you busy. The only problem is many rides are short and walking between attractions can get pretty soggy.
Hollywood Studios - If my kids were just a bit younger this park may take the number two spot. Many shows are lengthier attractions, which makes for more time inside. And many headliners, like those in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, are indoor rides. Although Slinky Dog Dash does close in the rain, the ride lasts under a minute. So skipping it seems like less of a sacrifice. However, the lines for attractions often extend outdoors, making this park fall a spot for us.
Animal Kingdoms - Don’t assume Animal Kingdom is a complete no-go in rain just because it’s last on the list. Thanks to Pandora, several of the best things to do here are doable in the rain. However, attractions like Kilimanjaro Safaris and Mount Everest are likely to close. But, we think the lure of Animal Kingdom is partly enjoying the animals that call it home. And many of them choose to stay a bit more secluded in nasty weather. Plus, we don’t love schlepping around to see them while soaked. That makes this a park we tend to try to visit on a good weather day.
What rain gear should I bring?
Since showers are common in the Orlando area, we always travel with a few rain essentials:
Ponchos (Disney sells ones that are heavier/ nicer than some we’ve found in stores. And they actually won’t cost you an arm and a leg. I’m guessing the thinking is that keeping you in the park is to their advantage.)
Umbrellas (Yes, they are allowed, although they often mean an extra check through the metal detector. I recommend taking them out of your bag and letting security know you have them before walking through.)
Extra socks (Pack several more pairs than you think you’ll need. They don’t take up much room and can be a game changer if you need extra.)
An extra pair of shoes (We once went to Disney World with only one pair of sneakers for my son, plus flip-flops for the pool. His sneakers got soaked at the park and didn’t dry out the next day. We were so wishing we had an extra pair.)
Water resistant backpack
Ziploc baggies just in case
Stroller cover, if planning to use a stroller
Why isn’t a spa day on the list?
Some lists of what to do at Disney World in the rain suggest a spa day. This spa girl never argues with such a suggestion. However, at the time of this writing, only one spa, the spa at Grand Floridian, is currently operational. So, you are unlikely to secure a last minute appointment.
So while I certainly never think it’s a bad idea to try, a spa day didn’t quite make the list.
Where can you do character meets in the rain?
Rain doesn’t keep (most of) your favorite characters away. At all of the parks, indoor character meets remain open. Restaurants that offer character meals are also a fantastic way to see your favorites when it rains.
The only character meets you can expect to be closed are those in which the character stands outside. Luckily, many character opportunities do not fall into that category.
