A rainy day at Disneyland can be wonderful or miserable depending on your attitude and how much you’ve prepared for the puddles. Here are my best tips, and a couple of secrets that will make your day even better!
Tip 1: Wear a raincoat or waterproof jacket and rain boots! Your shoes will get soggy if they’re not waterproof, and the same goes for your spirit jersey.
Tip 2: Bring an umbrella and extra socks! If you have a stroller, use a stroller cover. I know that many people recommend draping ponchos or shower curtains over the stroller, but I learned the hard way that once a thin plastic poncho gets caught in your stroller wheel, there’s no way to untangle it. (We had to buy a new wheel for our stroller when this happened to me.) Amazon carries lots of reasonably priced stroller covers, and Disneyland even sells cute Mickey themed ones. You can find them at the stroller rental kiosk outside of Disneyland, or at the Newstand just inside the park (just inside the gates on the side closer to Downtown Disney)
Tip 3: Know which attractions are closed during the rain. Don’t be caught off-guard when Alice in Wonderland and Luigi’s Rollicking Roadster’s are closed even if the rain has stopped. Certain attractions need to be completely dry in order to operate safely. The Disneyland Official Website has a list that differs slightly from mine, but these are the rides that are typically closed due to the rain in my personal experience:
Disneyland:
-Alice in Wonderland
-Mad Tea Party
-Autopia
-Gadget’s Go Coaster
-Storybook Land Canal Boats
California Adventure:
-Luigi’s Rollicking Roadster’s
-Radiator Springs Racers
-Goofy’s Sky School
-Golden Zepyhr
-Jumpin Jellyfish
Now that you’re prepared for the wet weather, here are some fun secrets about rainy days in the parks.
Secret 1: Children and adults can enjoy splashing in puddles on Main Street. It sounds silly, but your child will probably love getting permission to splash in giant puddles in front of the castle. It makes for awesome pictures and wonderful memories. Luckily, you brought extra socks in case your child splashes a little too much.
Secret 2: Rainy days are the BEST time to ride Splash Mountain. You’re already prepared to get wet, so do it! Often times on rainy days, there is little to no wait for this popular attraction. In fact, we have had multiple visits where we were able to continue riding without leaving our log. As long as there aren’t people waiting to board and you ask nicely, the Cast Members will gladly let you ride again and again.
Secret 3: Characters who would normally be found outside have secret indoor meeting spots when it rains. You can find several princesses hiding at the exit of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (just next to the Mad Hatter Shop), the Dapper Dans serenading guests in Refreshment Corner, and Mickey himself in California Adventure at KIngswell Camera Shop. Since these meet and greets aren’t on the official app, you may be able to spend more time with the characters without waiting in a long line. Other indoor locations may host other characters unexpectedly, such as the Animation Academy and Star Wars Launch Bay.
Secret 4: We locals hate the rain and will usually avoid the Parks on those days, which means short lines! Lines will typically be short and stay short as long as it’s raining, so take advantage of it.
I hope you’re able to make some wonderful new memories if you find yourself at Disneyland on a rainy day! Leave me a comment and let me know if you’ve ever enjoyed some wet weather in the Parks!
Castles, Characters, and Crayons 