Guide to 2024 Hurricane & Storm Season at Disney World
One downside to summer & fall trips to Walt Disney World is tropical storm season. This post covers the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season forecast, tips for staying dry during rain & preparedness info for staying safe during Florida’s intense weather. (Updated March 3, 2024.)
In recent years, Hurricanes Dorian, Matthew, Irma, and Ian have all impacted the parks and resorts to varying degrees–in some cases, causing multi-day closures. This is definitely something to be cognizant of before booking your trip. This isn’t to say you should avoid September or other peak hurricane months, but it’s important to be aware of while weighing the pros and cons of various times to visit.
In an average year, the NOAA forecasts over a dozen named storms. While this is a lot of storms, it’s highly unlikely that any of these will make landfall and subsequently significantly impact Walt Disney World. It’s still uncommon to face park closures due to storms, but it has happened several times. However, even storms hundreds of miles off the coast can make for long, rainy days–rather than the normal afternoon showers that are a fact of life in Florida during the summer and fall.
In other words, if you’re visiting Walt Disney World during the storm season months of June through November 2024, it’s good to be prepared. If you’re visiting between August and October 2024–the heart of hurricane season–it’s also key to have a plan for more major storms.
With that in mind, let’s start with a look at the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season forecast and how it could have an impact on Walt Disney World…
2024 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON FORECAST
Meteorologists are starting to release their forecasts for Atlantic hurricane season in 2024. Typically, the Colorado State University Tropical Weather and Climate Research Team, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Hurricane Center all release fairly reliable and non-sensationalized forecasts. We’ll update this section when those forecasts are released.
In the meantime, we have the forecast from two outlets that have varying degrees of credibility. The first is AccuWeather, which in its forecast sounded alarm bells that a “super-charged” hurricane season is possible in 2024. This could be a “blockbuster” hurricane season, AccuWeather hurricane experts warn, as all of the ingredients are coming together for explosive tropical development in the Atlantic this year.
While the Atlantic hurricane season does not officially start until June 1, there are already “serious and growing concerns” about the impending season, AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said. There are two key factors that have AccuWeather forecasters sounding the early warning of a potentially super-charged season: The return of La Niña and historically warm water across the Atlantic Ocean.
It could be a back-loaded season in 2024, as La Niña might not officially develop until late summer or early autumn. The timing of the onset of La Niña could also dictate whether this upcoming season will be similar to the 2020 season, or if the number of tropical systems will fall short of historic levels. AccuWeather’s forecast alone would not be serious cause from concern, as there is a degree to which their reporting is sensationalized. However, it’s corroborated by another outlet.
That’s the WESH 2 forecast by local meteorologist Eric Burris. Last year, that team accurately predicted where every named storm went, and when they made landfall. We’ve found that WESH 2 doesn’t sensationalize storm season, and instead presents a facts-first approach. Their past forecasts have often been conservative relative to the consensus. (In general, local reporting by the Orlando and other Florida news stations is really good–better than the national coverage.)
Burris and WESH are predicting 16-20 named storms, 8-10 hurricanes, and 3-5 major hurricanes. WESH also identified potential hotspots for activity, all of which pointed to the eastern Gulf coast. This is particularly concerning for Florida, with Burris adding that not only is Florida under a higher threat for tropical impact, but “perhaps the greatest threat I’ve forecast since beginning these long range outlooks years ago.”
WESH attributes this in large part to the transition from El Niño to La Niña and sea surface temperatures, but goes deeper than that. They also cite Lezak’s Recurring Cycle, a meteorological technique that uses the past to predict the future, to identify long-term weather patterns repeating themselves in cycles. (If you click this WESH link, it goes into detail about specific dates that have the potential for a return of past weather patterns. It’s a fascinating read!)
Again, we’ll update this section once the NHC, NOAA, and various reputable universities release their 2024 hurricane season forecasts. What follows is the rest of our general advice on visiting Walt Disney World during storm season–and our experience staying at Walt Disney World while the parks closed due to a hurricane…
Our Hurricane Experience
There is ample reason for trepidation if you’re thinking of visiting Walt Disney World in the summer or fall. As Hurricane Dorian, Matthew, and Irma demonstrated, these Atlantic storms have the potential to dramatically alter a vacation. The past is the best predictor of the future, so seeing how Disney dealt with Hurricanes Irma & Matthew could be helpful if you’re concerned about a hurricane impacting your Walt Disney World vacation during storm season.
Hurricane Irma caused Walt Disney World to be closed for two full days and resulted in some damage around the resort. As noted above, we got stuck in Walt Disney World after our Disney Cruise Line Bahamas sailing was canceled (and we were unable to rebook our flight due to the mass exodus of people trying to leave Florida).
You can read about that in Our Hurricane Irma Experience at Walt Disney World, which is like a trip report…but with none of the normal fun stuff, like attractions. It covers what we did to prepare for the storm, how Walt Disney World’s “ride out” Cast Members handled operations, and much more.
What you need to know for rainy days versus during hurricanes and tropical storms is radically different. With the exception of certain attractions and entertainment that might shut down for regular storms, it’s business as usual for Walt Disney World during the rain. That’s not the case during hurricanes and tropical storms, when operations can be brought to a screeching halt. Luckily, that’s very uncommon.
Although the prospect of visiting during rain or hurricane season might be unsettling, there also is some upside, as you’ll read…so it’s not all bad. Let’s take a look at how to prepare for, and deal with, summer storms at Walt Disney World; from regular small storms to tropical storms to even hurricanes. Let’s start with what you need to know for the worst case scenario…
Hurricane History, Official Policies, Preparedness Tips & Info
Hurricanes have caused Walt Disney World to close on six occasions. In 1999 for Hurricane Floyd; in 2004 on separate occasions in a six-week span for Hurricanes Frances, Charley, and Jeanne; in 2005 for Hurricane Wilma; in 2016 for Hurricane Matthew; in 2017 for Hurricane Irma; and in 2022 for Hurricane Ian.
That’s an average of about one closure per decade…plus three times in the last decade. There are also several other times when the parks have closed early, or the water parks and certain resorts have closed–but all of that is much more common and not something that’s closely tracked as a result. Suffice to say, the odds are against your trip to Walt Disney World being severely impacted by a hurricane. Nevertheless, storms are becoming increasingly common.
I’ve heard of some travel agents strongly encouraging guests to purchase travel insurance if visiting Walt Disney World in late summer or early fall. I can’t say that I agree with that advice, but then again, I’m not risk averse. We only purchase travel insurance when going abroad, and that’s only in case I get in a fight with a monkey and have to be hospitalized. With that said, here’s what you need to know if a hurricane or tropical storm is forecast during your visit.
Walt Disney World has a Hurricane Policy that will allow you to get a refund on any package booked through Disney. Of course, this won’t cover your airfare. Fortunately, recent storms have caused significant changes in severe storm policies among major airlines, so that shouldn’t be an issue, either. If that leaves any gaps in expenses you’ve paid for, any decent credit card will have you covered.
If you normally purchase travel insurance anyway, or you still want travel insurance specifically for hurricane season, make sure you get coverage that actually will do something for you in the event of hurricanes or storms. Most basic policies do not provide coverage for weather, so you’ll want to actually read the policy before you buy. In most cases, you’re going to have to purchase a more expensive policy that allows cancellation for any reason.
Beyond monetary loss, there’s the issue of safety, particularly during hurricanes. In terms of safety, Walt Disney World was built for strict compliance with hurricane readiness standards and has earned “StormReady” status from the NOAA. for this type of thing (regardless of how uncommon they are). In terms of preparedness, Disney is absolutely on the ball.
You literally wouldn’t be able to leave your room without receiving a status update of what’s going on, how operations will be affected, and what to do in case of an emergency. There are also notices up around the resorts and in-room televisions have more information than you’re likely to need on Disney’s channels.
Disney errs on the side of caution with this stuff, and you’d pretty much have to bury your head in the sand to not know what’s going on. You really won’t need anything beyond the information Walt Disney World will provide to you in order to keep safe, but if you want to be especially safe, we recommend reviewing FloridaDisaster.org’s information, including on evacuation routes.
Additionally, we recommend having at least a three-day supply of food, water and medicine on hand. Also, before the storm approaches, ensure cell-phones and other devices are fully charged (including external battery packs) in case of electrical power loss.
Storm Season Packing
When packing for a trip during storm season, you’ll want to make sure you come prepared in terms of rainwear and footwear. In terms of rainwear, you could pay $79.56 (slight exaggeration–only slight) for a poncho in the parks, or you could bring your own. You should instead get a cheap 10-pack of ponchos that are serviceable before your trip (or two 10-packs, depending upon how many people are in your group).
If you want something more robust that will keep you dry and is reusable, get this 5-Pack of “Pro” Ponchos. While these are technically disposable, they’re a thicker and higher quality material than the ponchos above. We’ve found that they’re easy to reuse–just hang them up to dry in your room at the end of the day! Unless you really want to throw away your ponchos after each use, this is definitely the superior option.
Second, footwear. Nothing is worse than walking miles around Walt Disney World in wet shoes. Trust me. Popular options to avoid this problem are traditional Crocs cogs. Personally, I prefer Crocs sandals because they don’t quite scream “80 year old hospital patient” quite as much. If you’re more serious about your footwear, consider hybrid water/athletic shoes; the best options we’ve found here are the Teva Churn (for men) and RYKA Hydro (for women).
Finally, accessorize with a Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad. This isn’t for the rain itself, but the heat and humidity that come once the rain leaves. Trust me on this once. These things do wonders for cooling you down, and readers of this blog are big fans of them, as can be evidenced by the comments to our Unique Disney Parks Packing List post.
Regular Rain Showers
There’s a real-world adage that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. If applied to Walt Disney World, that adage would probably be that the only certainties are a 3 o’clock parade and an afternoon shower. Short afternoon showers are fairly regular in Walt Disney World any time of the year, but during the summer and early fall, they are especially common. Plus, unlike the spring showers that might last for 10 minutes before the sun returns, summer storms can be marathon downpours that don’t relent for a few hours.
The prospect of rain should not keep you out of the parks (let alone from not visiting Walt Disney World during these months), as proper packing will make touring during rainy season a breeze. Plus, the rain will scare plenty of other guests away, so a nice afternoon shower might be just the thing to lower those crowds for you. (Although rain isn’t nearly as effective in Walt Disney World as it is in Disneyland–a light sprinkle there and all of the SoCal locals run for the exits!)
If it’s raining when you get up or the forecast is calling for a lot of rain on a particular day of your trip, we recommend going about your day as you normally would. We know, we know, this flies in the face of the “visit Disney Springs” advice offered by a lot of people, but we disagree with that advice.
To us, going to Disney Springs in the rain instead of a theme park doesn’t make a ton of sense. Besides the huge World of Disney, which is approximately twice the size of Manhattan or something like that, you’re going to spend less time in each shop than you would in a single attraction. This means just as much or more time outdoors in the rain than at a theme park.
If we weren’t going to go to the regular parks, we’d go to the water parks. I mean, why not? You’re going to get wet there anyway, so what’s a little rain? We’ve been to Blizzard Beach when it started raining, and for some reason, the place cleared out! If you don’t want to go to a theme park or a water park, consider your hotel’s pool. If you really, really hate the rain, wander around your resort (have a meal?).
Unless you’re from SoCal and are thus scared of rain, there’s no reason to let the rain completely derail your plans. If it’s raining, lots of other guests won’t be in the parks, so you’ll be able to do more than normal! If you do want to go to the parks, but don’t want to get wet, here are some things to do in the parks while it’s raining to minimize your outdoor exposure.
Magic Kingdom
- Carousel of Progress – Rarely has a line meaning you can ride repeatedly if you’d like.
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover – Lengthy, covered ride that gives you a birds’ eye view of rain status.
- Country Bear Jamboree – Grab a snack or meal at Pecos Bill after, as the attraction dumps you out right there.
- Hall of Presidents – Grab a waffle sandwich or dessert at Sleepy Hollow and take it to the covered seating area after.
- Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room – Shortest show on this list, but it has a covered pre-show, too.
Epcot
- American Adventure – Another place that can eat an hour when you combine the Voices of Liberty with the show. If it’s still raining after the show ends, go back in to take a look at the art in the lobby gallery.
- The Land Pavilion – In EPCOT, there are several pavilions that are large and indoors. At the front of the park, you have both the Land and Seas pavilions. It’s easy to kill time in the Seas simply by looking at aquatic animals–don’t miss the manatees! Over in the Land, there are three attractions, and you can have a meal at Sunshine Seasons or Garden Grill. If you have a bit of money, the Behind the Seeds at Epcot tour is a GREAT (and relatively inexpensive) way to kill an hour and a half or so, too. Doing all of those things is a good way to kill nearly half a day in one pavilion…which is hopefully enough time for the rain to pass!
- Impressions de France – The same could probably be said for the other World Showcase films, but this is one we can watch again and again; it’s so great that we consider it one of Walt Disney World’s most underrated attractions.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- MuppetVision 3D – Awesome pre-show and awesome post-show; consider dining at PizzeRizzo or Mama Melrose after the show to avoid rain.
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – A long line, most of which is indoors, makes this a good option during storms.
- Walt Disney Presents – Possibly the best option in all of Walt Disney World if you’re a serious Disney fan and it’s raining; you could easily spend a few hours in here combing over the displays and watching the film.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond! – The wait for this musical is outdoors, so show up no more than 10 minutes before a show is scheduled to start; you should have no trouble getting in when it’s raining.
- Festival of the Lion King – A long, indoor show; covered character meet & greets are nearby to kill time, too.
- Avatar Flight of Passage – Not so much a long attraction…but an attraction with a really long, indoor queue. That’ll work!
- ??? – If you can avoid going to Animal Kingdom when it’s raining or a lot of rain is in the forecast, that might be best. It’s definitely most enjoyable in nice weather.
Even after our experience with hurricanes and tropical storms at Walt Disney World, we’d have no hesitation to book trips to Florida in the months of August through October, during the height of potential hurricane or tropical storm season. A good attitude to have when the weather gets bad (or when anything goes wrong, for that matter), is that a rainy day at Walt Disney World is better than a normal day at home. Roll with the punches, improvise, and have a good time. Just think, at the very least…rain makes the parks less crowded.
For where to eat, try out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews page. If you want to save money on tickets or determine which type you should get, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at unconventional things you should take on your trip. Once you arrive at the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides”are great for determining what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of these topics and so much more, the best place to start is our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!
Your Thoughts
Do you agree with our mentality about visiting Walt Disney World when it’s raining? Which activities or attractions do you recommend when it’s raining? How do you feel about the controversial subject of travel insurance? Do you have any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I am really hoping for some rain when I head down in October for the Tower of Terror 10 miler. Most Disney World attractions are covered or inside. The entire park does not shut down when a storm comes unlike a Cedar Point or a Six Flags.
Living in the west now, I love rain storms and do not get enough. Maybe this is the kid in me, but I love to play in huge rainstorms. I always have a rain coat and besides, it is a warm rain and will dry up quickly.
Lived in Central Florida for the past 40 years and the only downfall to summer storms is not the rain, it is the lightning. Typically unlike anything you will ever see anywhere on Earth it IS DEADLY. That said, we go to the parks several times a month and many times we welcome the rainy days, especially the all day rain as it pretty much empties the parks. If you dress accordingly (I agree with no flip-flops) like non leather shoes, and bring a light rain coat you can have a real blast. We were at the parks last week right in the middle of TS Andrea and they were empty. Great article.
We just returned home yesterday from one weeks stay at Disneyworld (staying at the All Star Movies Resorts, one of our favorites). The day we arrived it was raining, actually it rained nearly every day but only for short bursts. Magic Kingdom in the rain is amazing as there were not a lot of people at the park and the lines for the ride were very short, we rode Pirates of the Caribbean 4 times within 45 mins. How can you not be happy at Disney even when it is raining, so funny seeing a sea of plastic as nearly everyone had on Disney Plastic poncho’s.
We have been to DW in June, July and September (2X) and each time we dealt with some rain. It really was not a big deal. We’d stop for a bite to eat or hit a show just as you suggested. Once, during one of the worst storms we encountered, we just rode Pirates 8 times in a row. I suppose some would saw that was a bit monotonous, but we challenged our kids (then 4 and 7) to find something new each time. It worked out great!
This year we will going in August — Shades of Green offered a 40% room rate discount for this August about a week after Hurricane Isaac last year … that was such a good deal that we could not pass it up! But I have been preparing the kids already to expect lots of rain every day and to try to think up things we can do when that happens. They don’t seem daunted at all, as we are all in agreement with your opinion that a rainy day at Disney is better than a regular day at home!
Wow – 40% off the already low rates of Shades of Green is a GREAT deal! Enjoy the trip!
Living in Florida you never know when it’s going to rain! Today they said no rain and guess what? It’s been pouring all day. I have been to Disney in all times of the year and have gotten rain probably on each visit…give or take. After one day at Epcot where my husband and I got rained on in Epcot and were soaked we decided to take ponchos and umbrellas every time we go to a park. We ended up buying the expensive Disney ponchos at Epcot…I know, I know. It gets worse. We bought the ponchos so we could leave the park because we were soaked and the minute we did it stopped raining. UGH. So now we never go to a park without them! Also, I wouldn’t recommend wearing flip flops to the parks when it might rain. Personally, my flip flops tend to fall off my feet because your feet get soaked. So it’s like all slippery. Plus the whole blister thing! I don’t understand people who go to the parks in heels at 12pm but hey that’s another topic!
We had the best day at AK during Hurricane Isaac last August. Everest was a walk-on all day, a lot of time at AK is inside anyway (at the shows), and the safari rides were the best I’ve ever been on- the coming storm made the animals very active.
It’s crazy to hear this about the Safari. I would have NEVER thought to do KS in the rain. That’s the great thing about blogging–even when you’re the author of a blog post, you can learn something new! Thanks! 🙂
MK in the rain is the best, if you can get over being wet. My best MK visit was a week before Christmas, three years ago. It started raining 15 minutes after rope drop, so the park was deserted until about 4pm! I walked onto everything I rode (which was almost the entire park) before dinner, had my picture with 17 characters, saw the parade, ate at counter services I avoid due to crowds, etc. If you’re willing to get wet, the experience is worth it!
Definitely agree with all you’ve said here, coming from Wales we’re used to a lot of rain and so it’s good to go to WDW for a spot of sun, however a rainy day is never a bad thing and it never spoils the trip if you keep upbeat about it.
It’s an amazing feeling to suddenly realise that you are the only 2 people stood in the hub in front of Cinderella Castle at 11am on what should be a hectic morning in the park. Also some of our fondest memories of WDW are during late night Extra Magic Hours on rainy evenings when there’s been barely a handful of folk in Tomorrowland and no lines for anything at all park-wide.
Which leads me on to say oh my goodness Tom, the photos that go with these pictures are absolutely stunning!I love all the neon around Tomorrowland and the Fountain of Nations area in Epcot anyway but after rain when the reflections shine out it just takes it to a whole new level of colour. Looking at them really made this (wouldn’t you know it, rainy) morning. =)
Agreed on the empty parks! Some of my best memories in Epcot and the Magic Kingdom are from those times after storms have cleared and I’ve gone nuts taking photos.
I would challenge avoiding AK in the rain. You haven’t experienced the safari if you haven’t been in the rain. The animals just love a good shower! We just did this Saturday and it never disappoints. We invested in good rain coats, crocs, and a rain cover for our backpack. This setup has served us well at DL and here at home. Especially in the summer heat going in the rain is often more enjoyable than waiting for the sunshine.
As a former Floridian from just south of O-town, the only problem I have with this article is that your are TELLING EVERYONE OUR SECRETS! I love the parks in the rain, b/c it really does empty out. Some of my most peaceful and memorable trips involved afternoons in the rain, when it seemed like my family and I were the only ones left in the park.
Your mention of 2004 brought back many memories of the photos I saw as the storms hit the parks. My hometown (Wauchula, FL) was also hit by all three of those storms, and my grandmother and several friends all lost their homes. What a crazy summer that was! (and by the way, even if I WANTED to go back to that summer, I’d have to go to that “other-park-that-shall-not-be-named” in order to hop on the time-traveling DeLorean. Blasphemy!!!)
I wouldn’t worry about the secret getting out unless the 11 people who read this blog all happen to be in the parks on the same day! 😉
Make that 12. I just began reading your posts as my children are taking me to wdw next year .I am too excited for words. Absolutely love reading everything you and your lovely wife have to say. I especially have enjoyed your engagement and disneymoon. Keep up the good work. I learn something new everyday. Thank you.
2 years later and this blog is providing great advice!
We are gearing up for our trip while TS Erica is threatening to rain on our parade!
Love the advice…I may actually end up disappointed if we DON’T see rain!
(end of August in Florida…as if that is a realistic possibility!)
Thanks for attitude adjustment!
The only real unavoidable downside to the rain is Florida air-conditioning. Particularly in the hotter months, the indoor attractions, resorts, and restaurants will be air-conditioned to their maximum levels. While that’s a relief, most of the time, when you’re soaked, or your extremities are soaked, you’ll find yourself shivering uncontrollably.
Great article! We were in WDW in April and it rained for almost our entire 5-day trip! I was a little grumpy about it at first (this was our first family trip, with 2 little ones in tow), but the kids didn’t mind and the rain actually kept the humidity and crowds down! We had our ponchos and a shower curtain to cover the stroller, and we were set. The rides only stopped in MK once due to lightning, but otherwise it was business as usual in the Parks. And Wishes was still held every night despite the weather (unlike Fantasmic), though we never got to see Tinkerbell fly. Overall it was a great trip, and we will cherish all of our “poncho pictures” for years to come!!
Thank you for that tidbit on using a shower curtain for the stroller. We have two littles that will be in a stroller this time and I always felt sorry for those kids whose parents put that plastic bubble that totally closed them in…I kept having to breathe deeply when I saw them! The shower curtain idea gives the kids more air. That stroller plastic should be outlawed! (breathe in…breathe out)
Depending on the stroller, another poncho can also work nicely as a stroller cover. Although I hadn’t thought of a shower curtain!
I used one of those character birthday table clothes, and it fit my double perfectly. It was even decorated Mickey Mouse 🙂
The only time we really struggled with keeping in good spirits during the rain was when it poured while we were at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. The majority if the entertainment was canceled and it was not very fun getting wet in our costumes. My kids were really bummed, as it is the favorite part if our trip, always. We still went and tried to make the best of it and hit every trick or trest spot, since that was the only thing to do. But I have to say that Disney went out if their way to accommodate all guests who attended and they were given tickets to the party on the next night or a complimentary Park Hopper to make up for the ticket.
Didn’t think of this, but you are TOTALLY right. We were at a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in the rain several years ago, and it stunk. Most of the entertainment was canceled, but the worst part was that it was barely sprinkling at times (almost like it was teasing us!), so the cancellation announcements were last minute. We knew things might be canceled, but we had to get spots anyway. I think the entire park was on pins and needles hoping the sprinkling wouldn’t turn into serious rain before each show…but like clockwork, it always did.
We still had fun walking around and enjoying the ambiance, but the hard ticket parties definitely are not as fun when it rains…and there’s not a whole lot you can do to work around the rain in that situation.
It’s only rained twice for about an hour each in >30 days we’ve spent at WDW with our daughter. She just loved splashing in the puddles.
When we honeymooned at WDW in August ’96 it rained every afternoon. An indoor show or nap at the hotel and it was over, so it had hardly any effect on us.
Twice in over 30 days?!? Remind me to plan my visits when you’re there, as that is some insanely good luck!
We were at WDW for the past two weeks and we had plenty of rainy days. We just got out our raincoats and carried on. The one day we didn’t bring raincoats was our HS day because we wanted to go light without bags. The security bag check line at HS is always sooooo long! Of course it really rained that day! We were watching the Indiana Jones show, and they had to stop it because of the rain. Most people stayed in the stadium waiting out the rain, but it was blowing in on us anyway, so we just dealt with it and got wet. One day we were at AK, it rained, we decided we’d done all we wanted there, so we headed to Blizzard Beach and had a perfect non-crowded afternoon! We always bring our own raincoats though, I hate the feel of those ponchos sticking to me!
That’s why you need to carry the Wal-Mart (or Target) $.99 ponchos even if you carry your own raincoats. These ponchos are so compact that they can fit in a pocket, so you can take them with even if you don’t have a bag. When you’re done with them, just throw them away!
Last year we went during Hurricane Isaac. It rained the first two days. We bought only one throw away poncho for each of us because I thought we could just use them over and over. Trying to roll up 8 open, wet ponchos in a Disney Princess book sack is a sight! This year I am doing as you suggested…buying multiple ones and just throw them away! Freedom!
Good timing for this article! We were in MK this Saturday when it started pouring around 3 and stayed that way into the evening. We escaped to the Tiki Room but there was a leak in the roof and water rushed through the ceiling. Due to this and the lightning, they stopped the show and opened the doors to make it a rain shelter. We found out later they stopped all of the rides due to the lightning. Some did reopen an hour or two later but People Mover was down for a long time. We’ve waited out many storms, but were very surprised by the closing of so many rides this time. (Too many people congregate under the sheltered area at the ride exits, so they closed many because of safety.)
Wow, that’s interesting (especially the Tiki Room leak!). I’ve heard of rides closing due to lightning, but never because of crowding at the exits. It must have been raining pretty hard!
I totally agree, stick it out! We were in HS one September & it absolutely poured for about 3 hours but when the rain stopped the place was a ghost town. We had the best day ever! Walked right on TT & RR over and over again.
Those summer showers also make smartphones (radar) and park hoppers extra useful. Sometimes the showers are small enough and property is large enough that if it was raining in one park, it may not be raining in another. We used this strategy several times on an August trip, when it rained every afternoon.
Two unfortunate consequences of the storms though, the marina rentals and pools shut down if there is lightning in the area. You may not see or hear the lightning, but those closures cut down on available activities if you’re at the hotel for a break.
Thanks for the reminder on things shutting down due to lightning. I’ll add this to the article!
Like any good Floridian, I agree completely with this advice. Most of our afternoon storms don’t stick around for long and those “in the know” hunker down (or walk around, if it’s just a rainstorm – yay ponchos and flip flops!) while everyone else scrambles away. Parks after a storm are awesome and desolate. As someone who worked at a theme park (though not a Disney one) for years, I have been sent HOME after a storm sends people running to their hotels. Heck, when Disney had that free ticket on your birthday deal, it poured for hours from opening until just before lunch. I bought a poncho and basically had the park to myself; I did 3/4 of MK in about the hours, plus a few repeats.
For wary visitors, be brave and reap the benefits. But stay safe too, the lightning is a nasty side effect of rain!
I think footwear is the biggest thing for me. I rarely wear flip flops to the parks these days (always end up with blisters when I do), and wet shoes can make for a miserable day. Given these things, we try to avoid the rain by doing indoor attractions.
When we went to Paris, it was forecast to rain everyday, so I bought waterproof shoes to wear. I looked like a total dork, but my feet never got wet!
I couldn’t agree more with the fact that a good attitude is really needed for a trip to Disneyworld during rainy season. We we were there last year in June (almost a year ago!) and it was right during TS Debbie – The first hour or two I was a total grumpy gills, but after a while, I gave up and knew that our whole trip would be ruined if I didn’t put on my big girl panties and accept the fact that I was going to spend most of the trip soggy. And so I did just that, and we had a GREAT time. In fact, our very last day the storm finally cleared up and we went to Magic Kingdom, where it was INSANE, and I realized just how much the rain actually helped us:)
We were there in June during T.S. Debbie, too! You’re so right; a good attitude is the best thing to pack. In spite of the crazy conditions, we embraced the magic and made a conscious decision that the rain wasn’t going to bother us. It didn’t, but it was amazing to see how much it affected those around us. The people that were determined to have a good time were having a blast, and the ones that were determined to be miserable were exactly that. I’m glad you decided to have fun during the chaos last year! I know our Disney World stories from that trip were much more interesting when you added in the battle with T.S. Debbie!
We were there too! Didn’t stop us, got the umbrella’s, put on the flip flops and off we went. One morning was extremely bad, so we made a quick trip to an outlet store and by the afternoon it cleared up enough to keep going again. Our first time in the MK for breakfast before the park opened was raining, so the pictures weren’t the best, but it was empty and awesome!
We always have umbrella’s and poncho’s on every trip. Love it when it’s raining because it really does scare everyone off!