Your bags are packed. Your favorite Mickey ears are on. Walking shoes are ready. You check the weather…and your heart sinks. Rain. Cloudy. Stormy. Is it worth it to visit Disneyland in the rain? What changes?
Can your vacation survive Disneyland in the rain? Can your kids? Significant other?
YES!
Visiting Disneyland in the rain is totally doable and, in my experience, is one of the best times to visit.
As a former Cast Member and lifelong Disneyland visitor, let’s talk about how to not only survive Disneyland in the rain, but how to enjoy it!
One of the best things you can do to help yourself, your family, and your group survive Disneyland in the rain is to prepare. It’s just water – it’s not going to ruin your trip. I know it won’t be ideal, but it’ll still be memorable.
What to Wear to Disneyland in the Rain
When your trip to Disneyland coincides with some inclement weather, you need to make a few adjustments to the articles of clothing you plan on wearing.
Shoes. You need to make sure that your shoes are water-resistant or waterproof. Walking around Disneyland in the rain is like playing that old Minesweeper game on your Windows PC. One wrong move and you’re suddenly surrounded by puddles and rivers.
The ground in the various lands changes and can become a little hazardous if you’re wearing your cute little sandals. Adventureland has dips and grooves: perfect for holding water. Main Street USA has sidewalks and curbs: a literal funnel for water to flow.
You also want to make sure that your water-resistant/proof shoes have a good grip on them. You need traction. Like I mentioned above, the ground composition changes based on your location within Disneyland (and other Disney Parks). Main Street USA is slick, and walking around in the rain with traction-less shoes is a surefire way to slip and slide…and not the fun kind.
What I choose to wear: my Tevas! They have grip and are great in the rain.
Cast Members work hard to get rid of the standing water along the walkways and in the attraction queues (the amount of time I used a squeegee…), but they can’t get everything as soon as it falls. Puddles will form and luck favors the prepared.
Poncho. Okay. Hear me out. Ponchos aren’t fashionable. They’re not too durable either. BUT…they will protect your core when it’s pouring rain outside and you need to make a dash for it.
Disneyland sells ponchos in their big stores at the Park entrances and World of Disney. Don’t be fooled…they’re super expensive for what they are and their function. You can purchase them at dollar stores, Walmart, or, if you know it’s going to rain ahead of time, order them in bulk.
What I choose to wear: generic, single-use ponchos from Amazon. Seriously. Doesn’t need to be fancy and it did the trick.
I don’t recommend this (please don’t be one of these people), but when I was a Cast Member, I saw a few people pulling the extra garbage bags from the garbage cans and using those as ponchos. Although they’re great bags (seriously), you never know what else could be on them.
Tops. This is not a fashion blog. I’m not going to tell you what to wear, but I will give you some general advice. This advice will hopefully help you enjoy your time at Disneyland, so you’re not constantly thinking about how wet or cold you are.
Wearing layers will keep you warm, but having a water-resistant layer with a high collar or hood will keep the water from dripping down your neck. Yes, you might get your body temperature up as you race from attraction to attraction, but when you’re standing in line, you quickly become aware of the water dripping everywhere.
What I choose to wear: t-shirt with a hoodie, typically a Disneyland hoodie. The one I’ve been rocking for years was purchased after a late-night ride on Splash Mountain back in 2010.
How to Pack for Disneyland in the Rain
Next let’s talk about what you need to pack to survive Disneyland in the rain. In addition to your water-resistant shoes and ponchos, there are a few items that you need to consider packing for your trip. Whether you’re going to Disneyland for a few days or even just one, pack these items in your bag so you’re prepared.
Ziplock baggies. I can’t tell you how many times Ziplock baggies have saved my electronics and personal items. I always take a few in my Yoda backpack, just in case. To date, they’ve held my phone, wallet, feminine products, car keys, money, food, and postcards. They’re small, reusable, and, honestly, you really only need one large gallon-size bag to store all of your items in. And then later, when the rain stops, you can put your wet clothes safely in the bag and keep your other items dry.
Quick-drying towel. I don’t know about you, but nothing is worse than looking at pictures on my camera…realizing that there was a big drop of water on the lens. Having a small, quick-drying towel (safely stored in a Ziplock bag) can fix a wet lens, glasses that won’t stay on your nose, and quickly dry your face as you quickly get to your next attraction.
Dry Clothes. Being wet and cold is never fun, especially when you’re trying to enjoy the magic that is Disney. Do yourself a favor and bring a change of clothes. You don’t necessarily need a whole new outfit, but think about it. What items of clothing tend to get wet the easiest? For me it’s always my socks (if I’m wearing sneakers) and my shirt/sweatshirt. Pack a set of dry clothes and store them in your hotel room, car, or splurge and get a locker.
Lockers. While not technically an item to pack, taking advantage of the lockers at Disneyland will come in clutch in the rain. You can leave everything safely in a dry locker, and only take the items you need. Lockers are rented by the day, so you can return as often as you want.
Disneyland in the rain WITH KIDS
Surprise – kids are pretty much impervious to the rain. They’ll most likely mimic your reaction: if you get pouty and sulk because it’s raining, they will too. If you approach your visit with a positive attitude, your kids will follow suit. And yes, I’m speaking from experience in taking siblings and cousins.
Got a kid in a stroller? Cover the opening with a clear poncho or plastic bag (not so they are struggling to breathe, but so the rain doesn’t fall on them and they can still see).
Have little ones that need a break and to get out of the rain? Visit a baby center. Let them relax and detox a bit from the overstimulation that they’re experiencing. Take a few laps around Disneyland on the Disneyland Railroad. It’ll get them out of the rain, off their feet, and give you a break.
Top Things to do at Disneyland in the Rain
Now that you’ve packed appropriately and are ready for your big Disney adventure, let’s talk about what you’re actually going to be doing.
Go see a show! If you’ve ever been to Disneyland before, chances are you’ve stuck to your usual routine: the same rides and attractions, usually in the same order. I mean, we’re creatures of habit, right? Disneyland offers a variety of shows that are sheltered from the rain and often overlooked.
Some of my favorite shows to catch include the live jazz groups that frequent the restaurants in New Orleans Square, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln on Main Street USA, Main Street Cinema, and the Disney Junior Dance Party over at California Adventure. If a show happens to be playing at the Hyperion Theater in California Adventure, bonus!
Check out the stores. I’m not a big shopper, but one part of experiencing Disneyland is to check out the stores. There are so many different shops and stores around, you’ll have ample places to seek shelter from the rain. Most of the stores are tailored to the lands and attractions they’re close to, each with a specific merchandise theme.
I always love checking out the hats and Mickey ears at the Mad Hatter in Fantasyland, Pieces of Eight at the exit of Pirates of the Caribbean, Cristal d’Orleans in New Orleans Square, the Adventureland Bazaar, and the Star Trader in Tomorrowland.
Visit indoor attractions. When was the last time you rode the Disneyland Railroad around the Park? Actually sat through the Tiki Room and not just gotten a Dole Whip? Spent time in the Animation building in California Adventure? I’m just saying – a lot of places don’t get the love they deserve until it starts to rain.
Once upon a time, the Star Wars Launch Bay in Tomorrowland used to be known as Innoventions. Inside was a literal wonderland of games, exhibits about technology and inventions, and anything you can think of to keep kids occupied. I remember bringing my brothers and cousins here during the rain, and they would play and keep themselves occupied for hours.
Don’t underestimate these hidden gems. They could be your key to surviving Disneyland in the rain.
Disneyland in the Rain FAQs
Now it’s time for me to answer all the pertinent questions I get asked even to this day. Although I was a Cast Member in the early 2000s, I am still an expert and lifelong Disney freak. Hopefully these will help you survive Disneyland in the rain!
Can I get my money back if it rains?
No. There is no current rain policy for Disneyland, nor are there refunds for those rainy days. I know this can be particularly trying in a time where reservations are required to even enter the Park, but you have been warned.
Does Disneyland ever close during heavy rain?
It has happened, but I have yet to experience it first-hand. The rain has to be severe enough to cause flood warnings. If it’s just a drizzle or constant rain, chances are the Park will stay open. The best place to check for updates is Twitter and the Disneyland app.
Do the rides close when it rains at Disneyland?
Some outdoor rides and rollercoasters close when it’s rainy. It’s always a good idea to check the Disneyland app for updates. If the ride has any outdoor component, double-check before having your heart set on it.
Should I bring an umbrella?
No. For the love, keep that abomination at home. They get in the way, ruin pictures, and honestly, a poncho or even a plastic bag is more effective.
What gets cancelled at Disneyland in the rain?
Parades and fireworks are the first to get cancelled, along with any street performances and outdoor shows. Most of the character meet and greets will be canceled as well, unless they already took place in a sheltered area. Sometimes the characters will ride down Main Street USA in the ear-themed vehicles, creating a “Character Cavalcade.”
What do you personally like to do at Disneyland in the rain?
Honestly, my visit to Disneyland is the same no matter what the weather. I make sure my wallet, keys, phone, and other essentials are in sealed plastic baggies, and I just go. I ride all the open attractions I can. When I need to dry off, I window shop or take an extra long lunch in an indoor restaurant. I try to use the rainy days as an excuse to check out things that I haven’t visited in a while.
Well folks, there you have it. My essential guide on how to survive Disneyland in the rain. As you can see, there’s just a few things that you’ll need to do or be aware of prior to your visit. Don’t let the weather dictate how much fun you’ll have. The advantage of visiting Disneyland in California is that beautiful Souther California weather is unbeatable. The rainy days are few and far between, but now you’re prepared for anything!
What do you think? Could you survive Disneyland in the rain? What other questions do you have that I can answer?
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