They shouldn't. With the right stuff, and attitude, a rainy day can be a perfect day to visit a theme park - one when you can enjoy rides and attractions without the crowds that can pack a park in better weather. If you are visiting a park when a summer thunderstorm hits, these tips can help you continue to enjoy the park when the rain is pounding, while others waste time cowering in shops and restaurants.
Here are my top tips for enjoying a theme park visit on a rainy day:
Bring the right jacket: Don't rely on a poncho bought in the park to keep you dry. Come prepared with an appropriate rain jacket. This jacket should:
That last point is vital. You'll be sitting on wet seats all day, on roller coasters and outdoor rides. You'll want a jacket that comes down far enough to keep your rear dry.
Wear waterproof shoes, with good tread: If your feet get wet, you'll be miserable. And rain-slicked walks trip up hundreds of visitors each year. Good, dry shoes with a solid tread will help you walk through a rainy park in comfort.
Don't bring an umbrella: Why not? You can't bring an umbrella on any rides, so it can't keep you dry there. You'll need the jacket I described above for when you ride, so what's the point of having the umbrella, too? It's just one more thing that you'll have to store whenever you ride, and it's a nuisance to others walking around you on the pathways. Ditch it.
Make advance reservations for your meals: You'll want a dry place to eat for lunch and/or dinner. So will everyone else in the park. Phone ahead, and have your reservations in hand before you leave and you'll avoid the hassle of waiting around for a table in an inside restaurant. Here are some numbers to know:
Use the package delivery service: You won't want to carry an umbrella around the park, and you certainly won't want to be carrying around bags of souvenirs, either. Fortunately, many parks offer a package delivery service, where souvenirs you buy anywhere in the park can be delivered to the front gate for you to pick up at the end of the day. (If you are staying on-site, you might even have them delivered to your room!) Take advantage.
If it's open, ride it: The great advantage of visiting a theme park in the rain is smaller crowds. Don't negate that advantage by hitting all the indoor attractions first, in the hopes that the weather will clear later, when you can do the outdoor rides. That's just what everyone else is thinking. Follow that plan, and you'll have the worst of both worlds - rain... and crowds.
Instead, stick to your tour plan and ride whatever is open. Heck, do the outdoor rides first, if you must vary from the plan. With the right jacket and shoes, and with nothing to carry, you can ride in (relative) comfort and enjoy a unique experience.
With little or no wait.
Got another tip for visiting a theme park in the rain? Please share it in the comments.
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I have to add, though, that if you have all of the above and there is no lightning about, GO! Don't change your mind. The parks are usually fairly deserted in the rain. You can ride your heart out on ANYTHING that is open! And hey, hit those water rides. You're wet already. :) Gives you an excuse. I got to ride Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens Europe six times in a row without getting out on a rainy day.
So, in short, if you ride Thunder Mountain in the rain, have someone sit next to you or prepare your ribs for some pain.
On a side note, though, riding Splash Mountain in said Tropical Storm was simulataneously hilarious and awesome, and was the only time I have ever been asked at Disney if I wanted to ride again while still on the ride.
We had our light rain jackets that covered our bums and stayed in the parks the rest of the days. I remember a one ride cycle wait for Dumbo. The longest waits I remember for dark rides at Magic Kingdom.
Here is Los Angeles, rainy days are the best for the theme parks because almost everyone here hates the rain. I welcome the change in weather with open arms. If I'm not working and the rain hits, I cautiously hit the freeway and make way to the park of which I am a pass holder. I've done DL, SFMM, and Knotts all in the rain. I do recommend not riding "X2" in the rain. It's not a lot of fun turning face up into the rain after the first drop.
and interestingly :
Were the crowds any lighter ? No. It was June and it was packed out.
Although we did hear one man complain to his wife that he was getting soaked through while he was in the line for Jurassic Park River Adventure. Work that one out if you can.
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