Theme Park Tips: Making the Most of a Rainy Day

Florida weather can be rather unpredictable and wet, so to help make your rainy day more bearable here are my top theme park tips for a rainy day.

Watch the weather while you are on the go (no pun intended)

Tips for Staying Cool in the Theme Parks Tips for Beating the heat in the Theme Parks Tips for Rainy Days in the theme parks

Make sure you have a reliable weather app to use while you’re in the parks.

My favorite is the Channel 9 Severe Weather App, because you can sign up for custom alerts in your area, stream live radar, and get an accurate hour-by-hour forecast.

Keep an eye out for temporary closures or delays

Some attractions and transportation options may shut down temporarily during heavy rain, wind, or lightning.

To be safe, check the park’s official app for any notices before you head towards an attraction or ask an attendant about any closures or delays before you hop in line.

Think ahead for meals

Mobile Ordering Theme Park Tips

On rainy days quick service and full-service dining locations tend to get really crowded and unable to accommodate walk-up seating requests, so it is always best to try to make a reservations in advance.

At Walt Disney World you will want to use the My Disney Experience App and at the Universal Orlando Resort you can use Open Table to make restaurant reservations.

If you are at Walt Disney World in a quick service dining location, consider using the Mobile Ordering option on the My Disney Experience App to cut your wait down!

Park bag hack for rain jackets and umbrellas

Packing a Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Bag - Raincoat in Zip Top Bag Theme Park Tips

When going to the parks with a backpack, keep your rain jacket or umbrella inside of a zip top bag so when you take the jacket out you can put your keys or cell phone inside to keep them dry.

Then when the rain stops, you’ll have a handy place to put your wet jacket.

Choose the right shoes

Pack like a runDisney Princess theme park tips

Choosing the right shoe is super important for surviving a rainy day in the theme park.

Pick a shoe that is comfortable with a non-slip sole and plenty of tread.

You also may want to consider leaving the rain boots at home, because they tend to fill up with water during heavy storms and get quite heavy.

Wear clothes that dry quickly

When it is going to be a wet day in the park choosing to wear lightweight and quick drying clothing will definitely make you more comfortable, and as a bonus when it gets hot again it will wick away the sweat to help keep you cool!

Don’t pass up a good show or movie

Flurry of Fun Disney's Hollywood Studios Walt Disney World Theme Park Tips

When the sun is out you might be quick to pass up a show or movie, but they are the PERFECT activity for a rainy day because they are shown in huge venues making them walk-up friendly.

One of my ABSOLUTE favorites is First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios…hear me out…there’s nothing like hearing a Dad belt ‘Let it Go’!!!!

Don’t let the rain give you the blues

Tips for Staying Cool in the Theme Parks Tips for Beating the heat in the Theme Parks hurricane dorian theme park tips

Even though it’s raining, remember that your day isn’t ruined!

You’re still in a theme park with your family and friends, so just let go and splash in a puddle or two!

I hope that you’ve enjoyed these rainy day theme park tips!

To follow along on our adventures and for Theme Park Tips on the go make sure to follow @onthegoinmco on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

Follow us for more updates: Facebooktwitteryoutubetumblrinstagram

Hurricane Dorian Closures – September 3, 2019

With Hurricane Dorian making its (SLOWWWW) approach to the Central Florida area, the theme parks have announced some closures and altered schedules.

Here’s your complete and current list!

Tips for Staying Cool in the Theme Parks Tips for Beating the heat in the Theme Parks hurricane dorian

Walt Disney World

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/weather-updates/

Walt Disney World Resort is adjusting its operating hours beginning Tuesday, September 3: 

Magic Kingdom Park: 8:00 AM-3:00 PM (opening at 7:00 AM for Extra Magic Hours) 

Epcot: 7:00 AM-3:00 PM 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9:00 AM-2:00 PM 

(opening at 6:00 AM for Extra Magic Hours) 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 8:00 AM-2:00 PM (opening at 7:00 AM for Extra Magic Hours) 

Disney Springs: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM 

ESPN Wide World of Sports: Closed 

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park: Closed 

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM 

Winter Summerland Miniature Golf: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM 

Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf: 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM 

In keeping safety top of mind, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will be closed beginning September 3 at 3 p.m. and will reopen following the storm when it is safe to do so. 

Guests with current and upcoming reservations at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort have been contacted to relocate them to other resorts on property and to help them plan for anticipated weather impacts. 

SPECIAL EVENT CANCELLATIONS AND UPDATES 

Disney After Hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been canceled on Tuesday, September 3, 2019. 

Guests with pre-purchased event tickets for this date are able to exchange their tickets for one of the following options: 

  • Tickets to attend another Disney After Hours event in 2019. 
  • Tickets to a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party event in 2019. 
  • A 1-Day Flexible Date Ticket with Park Hopper Option, which can be used any day prior to December 31, 2020. 

Receive a full refund for event tickets. 

To redeem these other options, guests should call (407) 939-7818 by December 15, 2019 between the hours of 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM, or email us at Ticket.Inquiries@DisneyWorld.com. Please have your tickets available so we may process your request for you as quickly as possible. 

DINING AND OTHER EXPERIENCE RESERVATIONS 

On September 3rd, theme park dining reservations will be honored up to one hour prior to park closing. 

Resort dining reservations will be honored until 5:30 p.m. 

Effective immediately, WDW will not be enforcing cancellation policies for dining and other experiences, so there’s no need to cancel existing reservations through Tuesday, September 3rd. 

Pre-paid dining and other experiences outside of the modified operating hours for September 3 will be automatically canceled and refunded. 

For more information, please review frequently asked questions regarding the Walt Disney World hurricane policy.

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Studios Florida: 9AM – 9PM

Universal’s Islands of Adventure: 9AM – 9PM

Universal’s Volcano Bay: CLOSED

Official Park Statement:

We continue to closely monitoring the weather. At this time, Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s CityWalk will open as scheduled on Tuesday, September 3, however, Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park will be closed.

We will continue to share operational updates as needed. Please follow UniversalOrlando.com or Universal Orlando’s Twitter for real-time updates.

SeaWorld Orlando

September 3 – CLOSED

Official Park Statement

We have a comprehensive weather preparedness plan in place for the safety of our ambassadors, guests and animals as we continue to closely monitor the forecast for Hurricane Dorian. 

Guests are encouraged to follow our social media channels and to check our website for the latest park updates. 

The parks are rescheduling or refunding any vacation package or individual park tickets booked through SeaWorld Vacations, Busch Gardens Vacations, DiscoveryCove.com, SeaWorld.com, BuschGardens.com, or the contact center without any cancellation or change fees for this service.

Aquatica Orlando

September 3 – CLOSED

Discovery Cove Orlando

September 3 – CLOSED

LEGOLAND Florida

https://www.legoland.com/florida/about-us/hurricane-policy/

Official Park Statement

Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by Hurricane Dorian. The safety of our employees and guests is our number one priority. Out of an abundance of caution LEGOLAND Florida theme park and water park will be closed on Tuesday, September 3.  We expect to re-open on Wednesday, September 4 pending the track of Hurricane Dorian. LEGOLAND Hotel will remain open.  

Follow us for more updates: Facebooktwitteryoutubetumblrinstagram