Tips about Rain
We took a short trip to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and it rained quite frequently. We have two children in strollers, and the best thing we bought prior to the trip were two $10 stroller covers. Our girls were comfortable and dry, even when it was pouring and windy. There were a lot of people using ponchos, but we noticed that they did not stay on the strollers like ours did. When it stopped raining, we put them in the storage area under each stroller (ours are the larger umbrella strollers). - Angie
Just finished reading your series on what to do when it rains, and I thought I'd throw in my two cents worth. When my wife and I are visiting the World, we try to visit a few of the other resorts. You know, sort of like seeing how the other half lives. Rainy days are perfect for this. Take a bus to one of the parks, wait under the cover of the bus stop overhang and pick a resort, jump on the bus and go. You can spend the day ping-ponging like this for quite a while. We've seen the longhouses of the Polynesian, the lobby fireplace of the Wilderness Lodge, and a myriad of holiday decorations. This has come to be sort of a tradition for us. If we don't get a rainy day, we usually try to do it on our last day, when we only have a portion of it to spend before the flight home. Besides, eating is a hobby for me so I get an opportunity to sample the food from a variety of the resorts. - Jon Patti
For our last trip to WDW, my husband and I purchased a product called a "Neat Sheet" ahead of time. Neat Sheets are water-proof and have weighted corners. If it's raining and you don't have a poncho, you can put it over you or your belongings to keep dry. You can also lay a Neat Sheet out on the ground or a wet bench to watch the fireworks without getting wet. The weighted corners are great so if you have it over you child's stroller it doesn't blow away when a gust of wind comes. - Kristen H.
Rain ponchos were a necessity when we were in Florida. Also, it was a lifesaver to have a stroller rain shield. With three small children, we brought our own stroller and each day also rented a Disney stroller. On rainy days we used an extra rain poncho to cover the carriage. The extra rain poncho also came in handy by laying the poncho on a wet bench when seeing shows such as the Stunt Show or Fantasmic at Disney's Hollywood Studios. - Kathryn Bibinski
Just because it is raining at your hotel doesn't mean it is raining at the parks. On my recent trip I had spent all morning at Magic Kingdom. On my way back to the hotel for the afternoon I met some people who had not left the hotel because of a downpour most of the morning. We barely felt a drop at Magic Kingdom. Disney World is so big that the storms don't always encompass all the parks. - Linda Sisson
Go play in the rain and tell everybody you just got off Splash Mountain and found your happy place. Remember you are on vacation and you are not the only one caught by the rain. If you look around at the other people, find someone and ask them to go play in the rain with you. If Cast Members can put on a show and have fun why can't we? I have done this and after about two or three minutes we had about 20 or 30 people dancing and singing in the rain. It was one of the best times I have ever had and would do it again. The best part is the person I got to go with me in the rain thanked me. He said that he was down because of the rain -- it was his last day in the World and the rain was going to slow him down. But after the singing in the rain rendition he was ready to go. So I give you this to think about -- if Disney brings out the kid in you, then why not let it show? - Kevin
Rainy days are usually an adventure for kids and if you are in Disney, this equals a DOUBLE adventure.
-- Go to the Florida Mall. There is a huge Playmobil Store where kids could have fun playing with toys, and there are places to eat. When you get back you will have quiet hotel time while they are playing with their new toy.
-- Check the weather in Tampa. If it looks good, hop to your car and go to Busch Gardens. If you have been postponing it since you always get trapped at the Disney parks, now you have the perfect excuse.
-- Go to the Millennia Mall, which has lots of stores and places to eat, but WARNING -- it can be an expensive alternative.
-- Check the weather and go to the Kennedy Space Center. The kids will love it, and you will take a break from the parks. Also this is more educational and the photos will be convenient for that next science project.
-- Make a reservation for lunch at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel. It's not Disney but it is fun. They have alligators, and have storytelling time and tours at a specified hours. - Olivencia
Head to a water park. Most often it rains on the way and we are still allowed in. By the time the rain stops we are well in the park and on our way to the more popular slides, when a good portion of people are leaving or have left. Even if we are there for only two hours, it winds up being the best time. - Elizabeth Shannon
EDITOR'S NOTE: The water parks will close if lightning has been detected in the vicinity.
On a rainy day I brought out a balloon animal kit I got at Target (I was thinking of any rainy day when I bought it). Besides distracting my kids (4 and 6), I wanted to use the handy instructions from the kit to make something other than a dog. My first several attempts failed, but I started getting the hang of it. At lunch we headed to the Contemporary's food court. The animals drew attention. We had instant friends for the kids, thankful parents for distracting their kids, and my skills multiplied. I was even offered game prize tickets for a balloon giraffe. Think of something you like to do on a rainy day and bring it with you to Disney. Your ideas could work their own Disney Magic. - Toohill
A thing that I found to really help pass the time during the storms was trying to make it to a 3D show in the parks. These usually last about 30 minutes and are indoors. Most of the time when you come outside the rain has stopped and the sun is out! - Amy Famiglietti, Malden, MA
What do I do when it's raining on my Disney vacation? I call the airlines and see how much it will be to extend my stay, of course! Actually, I pack the rain poncho and water shoes and head to the parks. There is no better time to get pictures of the World without all of the crowds of people in them. All you need is a break in the clouds to let the sun in for a minute or two and you can get the best pics! - Kathy J. Miller
One of our favorite things to do anytime, but especially if it is raining, is to find a bench or table out of the rain and simply people-watch! On our trip last September, we were waiting for dinner at the Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary Resort as the outer bands of Hurricane Rita showered off and on. We sat out in the lobby facing the lake. We also had a great view of the escalators and saw an entire wedding party come in from a soggy ceremony, decked out in their drenched formalwear, but they still were bubbling and overjoyed by their magical Disney wedding, even in the rain! That was priceless! - Callie Shreckengost
My daughter and I wore our Crocs, the comfortable-foam like shoes. It didn't matter whether our feet got wet or not. Carrying a small jacket for those days can help young children to stay warm under their ponchos during the colder months. We also brought homemade ponchos made of hunter orange fabric and could easily find each other in the crowd. - Diane Taylor
For those busy moms who need to keep track of strollers and children during a rainy park day I suggest a great invention.....the umbrella hat! You can find them at various novelty stores on line and they simply are worn as a hat but are actually small umbrellas. They will not keep your entire body dry but they keep the rain out of your face so you can see and you have both hands free to use on the strollers and kids. I have actually worn them and they are pretty comfortable and yet snug enough that they won't blow off unless there is a huge gust of wind.
