Disneyland in the Rain: Tips and Guide to Disneyland on a Rainy Day
Rainy day at Disneyland? Don’t miss these tips for Disneyland in the rain and a guide of how to do Disneyland in the rain without letting the weather dampen your vacation!
Heading to Disneyland and noticing rain in the forecast? It definitely changes your theme park experience. But it doesn’t have to ruin your magical vacation, and can actually lend to its own kind of magic!
It just takes a little preparation to make sure the weather doesn’t rain on your parade.
Here are all the tips for Disneyland in the rain and how to make the most of your day when rain is in the forecast.
Before You Go
First and foremost, you need to know that a rainy day at Disneyland does change a few things! Some rides close at the first raindrop. Others close if the rain or wind gets too heavy. Parades and fireworks shows are usually canceled. And if it’s a truly heavy rainfall, the park can close early.
I won’t sugar-coat it and say there aren’t downsides. And I think you should check the forecast before you go and look at how much rain is expected. If this is your once-in-a-decade trip, you may want to consider changing plans.
HOWEVER, if it’s one day of your multiple-day trip, rains are lighter, and/or you love lower crowd days, and rainy day is SO doable! You just need a little expectation management and a little bit of prep!
And if you don’t already have discount Disney tickets, check out our post reviewing our favorite way to get Disneyland ticket and hotel deals!
What to Wear to Disneyland on a Rainy Day
There are two types of rainy days at Disneyland: light rain that comes and goes, and heavy consistent rain. You can get away with different outfits and gear depending on the severity. Here’s a breakdown of recommended outfits and gear to include when planning what to wear to Disneyland in the rain.
Lighter/Standard Rainy Day Outfit for Disney
- Shoes that won’t get wet.
My leather sneakers hold up great and have kept my feet plenty dry on a wet day. You can also grab some shoe covers for each day you’re there in the rain. - A poncho or Rain Jacket.
A light disposable poncho should do the trick! But if you have a rain jacket it’s great to bring with you. Our kids also used this disposable kid’s sized poncho. - Pants that aren’t baggy.
I’d recommend something that tapers at the leg (like sweatpants or skinnier jeans), or a crop pant style. Wet pants are not fun, and be mindful of your style when you pack. - An umbrella.
A standard rainy day is rainy off and on, and often heavy for only an hour or two. A lightweight umbrella can be a lifesaver during the heavier time. You can buy these in the park for about $17. But you can also bring one with you for a lot less. - Optional: A hat
We have our kids wear hats to keep their face dry and to help hold up a poncho. - A Stroller Cover if You Have a Stroller
Plan an outfit for your stroller too! You don’t want wet kids, a wet seat, or wet stuff. So get a stroller poncho too!
We have this double stroller cover and love it! And this is the best single stroller cover that will hold up well!
Heavy Rain Gear and Rain Outfits for Disneyland
- A quality poncho or rain jacket.
We had cheaper ponchos on first heavy rain day, and by the end of the day, they were torn up and beat up! They work great for light rain. But if you have heavy rain, or multiple days of rain, I’d grab a thicker poncho or a rain jacket. - A rainsuit.
We saw adults and kids rocking these on our heaviest rain day, and getting on and off every ride with ease! If you want your entire body to stay dry, including pants and legs, grab a rain suit! - Rainboots/waterproof shoes/shoe covers
Sneakers hold up great, until the park starts flooding and large pools of water are everywhere. Get some boots or waterproof shoes as your best option. But disposable shoe covers work great too! Just make sure to get a pair for every day you’re there. - Umbrella
A poncho and jacket do a great job, but an umbrella for walking and standing in lines really keeps you dry! - Pants that can tuck into boots.
Baggy jeans are trendy right now, and they’re rough to wear on a rainy day! Get a pair that tuck into boots and will stay dry. - Recommended: A hat
Keep the poncho and rain jacket in place with a hat. This works extra well for kids who may remove their hood often. - A Stroller Cover if You Have a Stroller
Plan an outfit for your stroller too! You don’t want wet kids, a wet seat, or wet stuff. So get a stroller poncho too! It’s crucial on a very wet day!
We have this double stroller cover and love it! And this is the best single stroller cover that will hold up well!
What Rides Close At Disneyland When it Rains?
What rides close when it rains at Disneyland? Here’s a complete list:
Rides that close at Disneyland Park in the rain:
- Alice in Wonderland
- Casey Jr. Circus Train
- Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
- Gadget’s Go Coaster
- The Mad Tea Party
- Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
- Storybook Land Canal Boats
- Mark Twain Riverboat (conditions dependent)
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (conditions dependent)
If the rain gets too heavy or lightning appears:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (occasionally)
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant (occasionally)
- Astro Orbitor (occasionally)
Rides that Close at Disney California Adventure in the rain:
- Golden Zephyr
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Jumpin’ Jellyfish
- Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
If the rain gets too heavy or lightning appears:
- Radiator Springs Racers
- Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
- The Incredicoaster
For the most up-to-date information, it’s always best to check directly with Disneyland, especially on rainy days.
Fantastic Indoor Rides to Ride on a Rainy Day at Disneyland
Theses are great rides to ride in the rain! Most are indoors, with mostly if not all indoor queues.
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Disneyland Railroad
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
- Haunted Mansion
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- It’s a small world
- Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
- Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
- Space Mountain
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Mountain (retheme of Splash Mountain opening fall 2024)- and you’re already prepared for the wet part at the end!
And Indoor Attractions over at California Adventure…
- Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!
- Monsters, Inc.
- Soarin’ Around the World
- The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Under the Sea Adventure
- Toy Story Midway Mania
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
Bonus Disneyland in the Rain Tips
We have a few more helpful tips to make the most of the rainy day!
- Grab a plastic bag.
Put it inside your backpack as a liner. Keep everything inside it so your stuff stays dry. You may want to consider one for your phone too. - Bring a small towel.
Grab a handtowel from your hotel or your home and bring it with you to wipe down ride seats or dining seats that get wet. - Protect Your Stroller with a Stroller Cover
I know I mentioned it with clothes, but it really belongs here. We’ve seen desperate parents pushing a soggy stroller, carrying a crying child, trying to leave the park defeated one too many times. It’s worth it to get a good stroller rain cover and keep everyone and everything dry!
We have this double stroller cover and love it! And recommend this single stroller cover that will hold up well! - Get a Locker
These are at the front of the park, and a great way to lock up items and keep everything dry! Also, you can store rain gear here when the rain lets up. - Pack Extra Clothes
You can either bring these with you to the park, or keep an extra set at your hotel. But if things get too wet, you’ll be glad to change into dry clothes and have them handy.
Benefits of Attending Disneyland on a Rainy Day
There are major perks to a rainy day at Disneyland that you might not expect! Here are the top three:
- Way Less Crowded
Many people can’t handle the rain or choose to change their reservation day. Those who aren’t prepared often leave early. You’re going to see the park seriously clear out during rainstorms! - Lower Ride Times
Because so many people leave, the ride times tend to go down significantly! Many people choose rainy days just for the rides. - Character Interactions
This may sound counterintuitive since the characters aren’t outside anymore. However, they move most inside! Great Moments with Mr. Lincolcn will hold the Fab 5. Many shows like Mickey’s Philharmagic will invite a bonus character to come interact in the lobby. We found even more characters wandering rides and interacting in magical ways!
Non-Ride Things to Do at Disneyland on a Rainy Day
It can totally be a bummer to have rides close down due to rain. But there are plenty of other great things to do to enjoy your day! Here are some other fun attractions and experiences to enjoy on a rainy day:
Entertainment.
Go see some shows! Check out Mickey’s PhilharMagic at CA Adventure, catch a show at the Golden Horseshoe in Disneyland, or catch a show at the Fantasyland Theater.
Enjoy Non-Ride Attractions
At Disneyland: Take the time to see Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Check out the Main Street Cinema, catch the Enchanted Tiki Room.
In CA Adventure: Visit the The Animation Courtyard. You can learn to draw characters every 30 minutes at the Animation Academy. Laugh at Turtle Talk with Crush. Or attend the Sorcerer’s Workshop. Also, don’t miss the Disney Jr. Dance party if you have littles!
See Characters
You can always check the Disneyland App for character locations and times. But some are alwaysa t the same place! This is a good time to see:
– Anna and Elsa are always at The Animation Courtyard in CA Adventure
– Darth Vader is at the Star Wars Launch Bay in Disneyland.
– Minnie’s House and Mickey’s House in Disneyland
– Princesses at the Royal Hall
Make Suvineers
Maybe we know this best since we have Star Wars-loving kids, but building a droid at the Droid Depot is a fantastic souvenir and experience! You can build a lightsaber at Savi’s, or a cheaper version at the shop next to Star Tours.
You can also take the time to have silhouttes made on Main Street, or get ears painted after you purchase a new pair (talk to a cast member when you’re ready to check out).
Indoor Dining
Grab a reservation or join a walk up list and take your time to enjoy a meal.
Here are a few excellent places to dine while you wait out the rain:
– Alien Pizza Planet (in Tomorrowland)
– Carnation Cafe (in New Orleans Square)
– Blue Bayou (New Orlean’s Square)
– Red Rose Tavern (Fantasyland)
– Plaza Inn (Main Street)
– Carnation Cafe (Main Street)
Disney California Adventure Park Restaurants with Indoor Seating
– Flo’s Diner (Carsland)
– Pym’s Kitchen (Avenger’s Campus- mostly covered seating)
– Carthay Circle (Beuna Vista Street)
– Lamplight Lounge (Pixar Pier)
– Garden Grill (Boardwalk)
Explore Hotels
Disneyland resort hotels are full of magic, and they can be a fun place to explore while the rain passes. You can visit the Disney Grand Californian Hotel, The Disneyland Hotel, and the Pixar Hotel without being a guest. You’ll find special exhibits, foods, and sometimes even characters!
We’re here to tell you can you still have an extremely magical day at Disneyland, even in the rain! So don’t let the rain deter you. Get prepared, set expectations, and get ready for a different kind of magic on a rainy day at Disneyland!
Frequently Asked Disneyland in the Rain Questions
If you’re prepare with a little rain gear (shoes and a jacket or poncho) it can be a wonderful day with lower crowds and a lot more rides!
If you have very young children and it’s supposed to be a heavy rain, you may want to consider rescheduling your visit. But it is very doable if you are prepared with gear in advance.
Disneyland tickets are nonrefundable so you cannot cancel your Disneyland tickets if it rains. If it’s more than 24 hours in advance, you can change your reservations for another date.
If you shop in advance, look on Amazon or Walmart for the best deals. If you’re in Anaheim, check out Target, Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens all near the parks.
But if you’re in the park, Rain gear can be found at various retail locations throughout Disneyland, including Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A., and outdoor vending carts, which may offer ponchos and umbrellas.
The rainy season typically runs January, February, and March. It sometimes starts in December and goes later into the spring.
Obviously, Mother Nature can do her thing any time, so be sure to check the forecast before your trip!
Like this Disneyland planning guide? Be sure to check out these posts too:
Tips for Doing Disneyland with Toddlers
Tips for Doing Disneyland Pregnant
Walking Distance Hotels to Disneyland
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