7 Rainy Day Activities at Walt Disney World
If you’ve ever been to Florida, you probably know that we’re heading into the rainy season. It typically starts in May and runs through mid-October. During that time, it’s not uncommon for a storm to blow in, dump gallons of water, and then just as quickly disappear.
For folks visiting Walt Disney World, it can seem a dreadful inconvenience. But just because it’s raining, doesn’t mean that you have to spend the day trapped in your hotel room. If you aren’t up to throwing on a poncho and braving the elements, there are still a number of activities that will keep you dry. Here are a few of our favorites.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Location: Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom
Run time: 20 minutes
The sky opens up, and you find yourself between the Tomorrowland Speedway and the Astro Orbiter, both of which are far too exposed to the elements. Not to fear! You’re just a hop, skip, and jump away from Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.
The attraction takes place inside a rotating indoor theater, so you’ll be protected from the rain. There’s rarely a line, which means you’ll get inside quickly. Plus, each portion of the theater accommodates 226 Guests, for a total of 3,600 per hour. So, there’s plenty of room.
As an added bonus, you’ll get to hear one of the catchiest songs that the legendary Sherman Brothers ever wrote in the form of “There’s a Great, Big, Beautiful Tomorrow.”
The American Adventure
Location: World Showcase, Epcot
Run time: 30 minutes
Sandwiched between the elegance and beauty of the Japan Pavilion and the grandeur of the Italy Pavilion, it’s easy to simply drift by The American Adventure without a second thought. But folks who do are missing out on one of Epcot’s best experiences. Not to mention that, at 30 minutes long, the show is the perfect location to wait out a brief afternoon shower
Narrated by Audio-Animatronic versions of Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin, the show takes Guests on a tour of American History, aided by 10 sets that are changed by machinery weighing a staggering 175 tons and operated by nearly 30 computers. That level of complexity explains why it took Imagineers five years to complete.
Festival of the Lion King
Location: Port of Harambe, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Run time: 40 minutes
At this point, you’re probably noticing a trend. The shows in Walt Disney World are one of the most effective ways to beat the rain. After all, in Florida, most showers blow in and back out in about a half hour. Just enough time to duck inside and see some of the parks’ best entertainment.
In Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Festival of the Lion King in the Port of Harambe is an explosion of color, music, acrobatics, and Broadway-quality theater that’s so exciting you’ll forget about the gray sky outside. Plus, there’s fire involved, so you’re guaranteed to stay warm.
With 50 cast members and 136 African-inspired costumes, the show is a sensory feast. The puppet of Simba is particularly stunning, standing at 12 feet tall. Plus, there’s not a bad seat in the house.
For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
Location: Hyperion Theater, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Runtime: 30 minutes
While both Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! are shows with covered seating, the theaters are still technically outdoors. That means that, depending on the nature of the rain storm, they are still potentially subject to cancellation. An experience like Savi’s Workshop in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, is indoors, but only allows for around 14 Guests at a time, not a quality fix for a rainstorm.
That’s why we recommend grabbing a seat to watch For the First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at the Hyperion Theater. Unlike most Broadway-style shows, singing along isn’t frowned upon. In fact, it makes the show even better.
World of Disney
Location: Marketplace, Disney Springs
While adverse weather conditions can impact some Disney Springs activities, such as the Aerophile balloon, there’s plenty of indoor shopping in the area. World of Disney has a little something for everyone, with Disney merchandise ranging from toys and stuffed animals, to clothing and items from exclusive collections.
While the store itself is an enormous, sprawling space, it is conveniently divided into smaller rooms so it doesn’t become too overwhelming. Honestly, you’ll be able to find anything Disney-related that you could ever want.
Resort Hop on the Monorail
Location: Multiple
While there are some attractions that close in the rain, the Monorail does not. Which means you can always hop aboard and go exploring around the resort. From the Transportation and Ticket Center, you can catch a monorail to the Magic Kingdom or to Epcot.
However, in terms of rainy day activities, we recommend hopping aboard the Magic Kingdom Resort Line. It runs in a loop with stops at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Each offers unique shopping and dining experiences, and each is so stunningly designed that simply exploring the lobby and grounds is an adventure.
Honorable Mention: Behind the Seeds Tour
Location: The Land Pavilion, Epcot
Time: 1 hr.
Of course, all of the above are just a small sampling of things you can do to get out of the rain. We didn’t even mention experiences like Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, It’s Tough to Be a Bug, or Walt Disney Presents.
However, if we were to list one honorable mention, it would have to be the Behind the Seeds Tour in Epcot. It provides you with an up close and personal view of the work taking place in the Living with the Land attraction, and the experience lasts a full hour.
Be aware that it does cost $35 per person and is subject to availability, but it’s guaranteed to be an experience you’ll never forget.
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