How to Handle Bad Weather at Disneyland

Nothing ever goes wrong in sunny southern California–except when it does. Even though it may be a fluke, a day at Disneyland can still be marred by the rain. That doesn’t mean you have to throw in the towel when the going gets tough, though. You paid good money for your Disneyland trip–learn how to make the most of it! If the weather doesn’t follow your vacation schedule, here are some things you can do to salvage your day by dealing with bad weather at Disneyland.

Change your Clothes

One thing you can easily do if you are prepared ahead of time is to change your clothes. Hopefully, you have packed for just such an occasion and have come prepared (and if you’re at Disney with kids, chances are that you’re ready for anything!). A clothes change could be extensive, or something as simple as taking out a light jacket or sweater. Either way, you don’t want to be stuck paying a Disney vendor for a poncho. Bring ponchos of your own (if you’re a poncho wearer!) so that you can save your money.

Get Inside

When it starts to pour, get inside quickly. You can use the time to shop in some of the stores or you can take the opportunity to stop someplace for a bite to eat. There are plenty of quick-service restaurants around that have covered dining areas. You can enjoy a meal in comfort and hope the storm will blow over. If not you may need more time inside, such as a long ride on the Pirates of the Caribbean, or a long wait time under shelter such as Space Mountain. There are enough indoor rides that dashing from one to another won’t seem bad.

Change Your Plans

It’s entirely possible that the bad weather at Disneyland could be so severe that it throws off your entire schedule. You may have to radically change your plans to make the most of a bad situation. While it will sting a bit, if you’re going to be miserable, it’s better to find something else to do. That may include going back to the hotel and doing something inside the building, like a tour, or some character dining. Try Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Downtown Disney for some indoor fun and food. If your days are flexible and you have other sites in mind, see if you can get out from under the storm and find someplace sunnier.

Follow It

One of the best things you can do involving bad weather at Disneyland is to follow it. You can watch the weather well in advance of your visit, by checking the forecast and downloading a weather prediction app. Be prepared before bad weather hits and stay on top of it when it does. If the forecast says it’s going to rain, pack your raincoat just in case. You can follow it to know how long a particular storm is expected to last; then you will know what extent you should go to change your plans.

Wait it Out

If you don’t want to get into a crowded shop or drop everything due to a storm, you can always wait for it to blow over. The best place to wait out bad weather at Disneyland is to take a ride on the Disneyland Railroad. You can see the weather all around and there may be a change in the weather at any of the four stations around the park. If not, you can keep riding until things clear up. 

Bad weather doesn’t need to ruin a day at Disneyland. The crowds are often less so the lines are shorter overall. Disneyland still holds magic even when it’s wet!