How to make a Rainy Day at Disney still Magical

You have planned out the perfect Disney vacation, but unfortunately rain is in the forecast. Check out these tips to make even a rainy day magical while in the Disney Parks.

Always Bring a Poncho

Let’s be honest, no one hopes that they will encounter rain on vacation. However, a little planning ahead can save you money and also help make your day a bit more magical. There are a few items that my (Donna) family has learned to pack for every Disney trip.

The first is one that we learned the expensive way: always pack ponchos. Even if the forecast does not show rain, pack a poncho!!! My husband and I visited Disneyland Paris and forgot this cardinal rule to always pack a poncho. We found ourselves purchasing a large Disney poncho for more than we would have wished to pay.

Some Guests love these ponchos and will pack these for future trips. This is a great plan if you will be experience a large amount of rain. But what if you will simply be experiencing the occasional summer shower?

Personally these Park ponchos are rather large even if folded up. Also I’m not a big fan of carrying around a wet poncho once the rain has stopped. I prefer to pack the disposable ponchos that can be tossed when the rain stops. They are fairly inexpensive and much easier to carry and dispose of when wet.

Pirate Tip: Even if there is no rain forecasted prior to your trip to Walt Disney World, always pack ponchos and shoes that work well in the rain.

In addition to a poncho, you will also want to bring shoes that will work well in the rain. It is always a good idea to bring a backup pair of shoes in case one pair of shoes gets wet. Putting on wet shoes is not a fun way to start your day. Bringing a second pair of shoes will allow time for shoes to dry if needed.

Also be prepared that, for many indoor locations, you will be asked to remove your poncho prior to entering the building.

Adjust your Touring Plan

Do you enjoy creating your Touring Plan on Character Locator? It is one of the highlights of planning for our trip to the Disney Parks. What happens when the attractions you have on your Touring Plan are closed due to weather? This is when you have to allow some adjusting.

When we visited Walt Disney World in November 2021, we experienced quite a bit of rain. This changed our Touring Plans quite a bit. We had 2 choices: we could either adjust our plans and be flexible or we would not enjoy our day. On our first day we visited EPCOT. Test Track was closed due to the weather. This was high on our priority list because my daughter had never experienced creating her own vehicle in the attraction queue.

What happens when the attractions you have on your Touring Plan are closed due to weather? This is when you have to allow some adjusting.

When the rain would stop periodically, I continued to check the My Disney Experience app to see if the TestTrack would reopen. At one point we walked by TestTrack and it sounded as though they were testing the ride vehicles. A large group of Guests were forming a line. A Cast Member announced that they were unsure if the attraction would open, but we took our chances. 5 minutes later we were waiting inside to board the attraction.

Be ready to change your Touring Plans and prioritize which attractions are most important.

Enjoy the Rainy Day Cavalcade

Have you ever experienced the Rainy Day Cavalcade at Walt Disney World? This is truly a magical experience. You can check out a full review of this parade HERE. It is amazing how Disney can make even a rainy day magical with this fun parade. I (Donna) had visited Walt Disney World multiple times, but had never enjoyed this parade.

I will admit that the first time I saw this parade was magical. The day that we visited the Magic Kingdom, I really wanted to see the Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade with Mickey Mouse and friends wearing their 50th Anniversary finest. This cavalcade typically rolls through the Magic Kingdom five times a day.

At each cavalcade time, we saw the Rainy Day Cavalcade. I was a bit disappointed. Right before the last showtime of the day, I asked a Cast Member if it would be the Rainy Day Cavalcade. He was able to quickly verify that this was not the Rainy Day Cavalcade. Finally we were able to enjoy the full 50th Anniversary cavalcade for the first time.

If you have a “must see” entertainment experience during a rainy day, you may want to ask a friendly Cast Member about the upcoming entertainment close to showtime.

Cast Members are really amazing and always happy to help. If you have a “must see” entertainment experience during a rainy day, you may want to ask a friendly Cast Member about the upcoming entertainment close to showtime.

Choose How to Best Enjoy your Day

When faced with a gloomy day at the Disney Parks, choose what would be the best plan for your family. Some Guests may decide to visit the Park possibly later in the day or leaving the Park early if there is a rain storm. This can be a fun opportunity to enjoy many of the great amenities at your Disney Resort.

During a recent trip to Disneyland Paris, my (Donna) husband and I encountered several rainy days. Due to our travel itinerary, we only had a few days in the Park so we chose to wear our ponchos proudly and take on the day.

I will admit that we were pretty soaked the majority of the day, but we made so many memories even while dodging all the puddles. It really is best to choose what is best for your family and what your travel itinerary allows for.

Have Realistic Expectations

No matter how well you plan your Disney vacation, things will not go exactly as planned. The crowd level may be high creating longer wait times for rides and attractions. Perhaps everyone in your touring party is not excited to rope drop every morning. Finally, the weather may not be as enjoyable as you would hope.

Many times we hear that families had less than magical trips to “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” Things will not always be perfect on a vacation, and it is helpful to set appropriate expectations. Prior to your trip, make a list of characters, attractions, rides, and entertainment that is high on the priority list for your touring group.

Following this, set a second tier of things that you would love to do but are not as important. Finally make a list of items that you are okay if you do not do at all. This allows you to prioritize what is most important rather than feeling that you must conquer everything.

Prior to your trip, make a list of characters, attractions, rides, and entertainment that is high on the priority list for your touring group.

This is particularly helpful for rainy days. With a little planning and with realistic expectations, even a rainy day at Disney is still a better day than anywhere else.

Have you experienced a rainy day at Disney? How did your family make the best out of a rainy day at Disney? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook Page.