When planning a family vacation to Disneyland it’s hard to know what the weather will be like. Disneyland is located in Anaheim, southern California. The SoCal region has some of the best weather in the world, and it is typically sunny and dry at Disneyland. But what do families need to know and do if there is rain in the forecast or if they want to be prepared for every kind of weather at Disneyland? Follow this article’s Disneyland Rainy Day Tips, and keep reading to learn more!
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In this article, we will help you make a plan for Disneyland weather, discuss how often it rains in Anaheim, which rides close at Disneyland when it rains, as well as our essential Disneyland rainy day tips for you to follow. This will help you decide what to bring to Disneyland when it rains and the best things to do at Disneyland on rainy days.
If you are planning a vacation to Disneyland you may also be interested in our articles about How To Travel To Disneyland or What To Do Before Going To Disneyland. And don’t miss these Disneyland Tips For Families.
Now let’s look at how to prepare for rain at Disneyland.
Planning for Disneyland Weather
Disneyland typically experiences excellent weather; however, there are winter months with rain and late summer months when it’s very hot. That’s why it’s essential to check the weather forecast when planning your visit to Disneyland.
Find out if you need to take an umbrella for shade or to protect yourself from the rain. Although rare, there may be times when you find yourself visiting Disneyland on a rainy day.
The good news is that when it’s raining at Disneyland then, the locals stay away and take a Disneyland rain check! That means only out-of-town visitors are headed to the Disneyland theme parks on rainy days. Therefore, it’s less crowded, so the lines and wait times are shorter, which makes rainy days the perfect time to visit Disneyland.
Is Disneyland Open Rain or Shine?
Yes, you will find Disneyland open on rainy days. Disneyland is open every day of the year. Some schedule adjustments to entertainment – including shows or parades – and attraction closures may occur during inclement weather.
It’s worth noting that the Disneyland parade is often modified if it’s raining. The Disney characters will instead come out on the parade route in the Main Street Vehicles. What else should you expect to happen when there’s rain at Disneyland?
Does Disneyland Close Rides When it Rains?
Due to the safety and comfort of guests and cast members, Disneyland will close some attractions when it’s raining. These are typically outdoor attractions that may close temporarily until the rain and inclement weather pass.
At Disneyland Park, these attractions may include:
- Alice in Wonderland
- Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
- Gadget’s Go Coaster
- Main Street Vehicles
- Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
- Storybook Land Canal Boats
- The Mad Tea Party
At Disney California Adventure Park, these attractions may include:
- Golden Zephyr
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Jumpin’ Jellyfish
- Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
All outdoor attractions at Disneyland theme parks will close when lightning is observed in the area. Go here for updated weather-related information during your visit. And check the Disneyland Mobile App for information about which rides are temporarily closed due to weather.
How often does it rain in Disneyland?
Disneyland and the SoCal region are typically dry and pleasant, and it does not rain often. Anaheim experiences rain for only half the year, and the other six months have no rain.
Disneyland’s wettest time of year is during the rainy season, from November to April. The most rainfall in Anaheim happens during the early months of the year, and the main period of rain is in February, with an average of 3.1 inches.
Can you go to Disneyland when it rains? Absolutely! There is plenty to do at Disneyland in the rain.
Disneyland Rain Tips
There are plenty of things you can do to help make your rainy day at Disneyland more enjoyable. Follow these tips for Disneyland in the rain.
What should I bring to Disneyland on a rainy day?
If you’re wondering how to prepare for rain at Disneyland, one of our top Disneyland rain tips is to bring the right gear to help you stay dry.
Poncho
A sturdy poncho is a rainy-day essential at Disneyland! You can purchase ponchos around the Disneyland theme parks from stores near the water rides. But if you want to save money at Disneyland, then buy ponchos ahead of time and bring them to the parks with you. My family likes to use these ponchos when there’s rain at Disneyland, or try these Mickey Mouse Ponchos, which also provide space for your mouse ears!
Bring an Umbrella
While selfie sticks are banned, umbrellas are allowed inside the Disneyland theme parks. Bring a small umbrella that will fit in your backpack. If it turns out to be a sunny day at Disneyland you may also use the umbrella to create shade!
Bring a towel
Another Disneyland rain tip is packing a small towel in your backpack on rainy days. Use it to wipe off wet chairs, tables, or rides before you sit down!
Extra socks
Bring an extra pair of socks. There is nothing worse than walking around all day with wet feet. If it is raining a lot during your visit to Disneyland consider bringing rain boots or waterproof shoes.
Get a Locker
Lockers are available for rental, starting at $7 per day, at Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and in the Esplanade between the parks. This is a great place to store dry clothes and shoes, so you don’t have to carry everything around on rainy days at Disneyland. Learn more about locker rentals at Disneyland.
Protect your backpack
Line the inside of your backpack with a large plastic bag to keep your gear dry.
What to do at Disneyland when it rains?
Now that you’re prepared with the proper rain gear don’t be afraid to go to the Disneyland theme parks when it’s raining. The (forecast of) rain keeps the crowds away, so the lines are shorter with fewer people!
When visiting Disneyland for a vacation, there’s probably not much flexibility to adjust your schedule and switch to a dry day at Disneyland. Since the introduction of the park reservation system, it’s difficult to change plans at the last minute when theme park reservations may not be available for a different day.
Therefore, you should still plan to visit Disneyland when raining, or when showers are in the weather forecast. Are you wondering what to do at Disneyland in the rain? We have more Disneyland rainy day tips to help you avoid rain showers.
Indoor Attractions
There are plenty of indoor attractions at Disneyland that you can ride if it’s raining. Choose to do something like Pirates of the Caribbean, which will take a while and keep you indoors longer.
Indoor Shows and Entertainment
If it’s raining at Disneyland, do something you wouldn’t normally do. Both parks have indoor shows like Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. Or visit the Animation Academy, watch classic Disney cartoons at Main Street Cinema, or take The Bakery Tour, all excellent indoor activities to avoid the rain.
Ride Disneyland Railroad
If you’re visiting Disneyland when it’s raining, hop on an authentic steam-powered train to enjoy a relaxing 18-minute scenic journey around Disneyland Park.
Character Meet and Greet
When it’s raining at Disneyland, the character meet and greets are limited. The Disneyland Park characters usually found walking around Town Square can sometimes be found inside the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln Building.
At Disney California Adventure, you might find Mickey and Minnie inside the Kingswell Camera Shop and some characters inside the Animation Building when it’s raining.
Indoor Dining
You can find shelter from the rain by grabbing a meal at one of the many dining locations at Disneyland with indoor seating.
Get soaking wet
If the temperatures are warm and you don’t mind getting wet, embrace the rain! Ride on the Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure and get soaking wet! Or ride Disneyland’s water attractions, including Splash Mountain and Grizzly River Run.
Summary
Next time you see rain in the forecast when you’re headed to the happiest place on earth, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Now you know the best Disneyland rainy day tips to help make your visit successful – despite the weather – and rain means you can enjoy the Disneyland theme parks with fewer crowds!
Disneyland Planning Guide
Would you like to learn our step-by-step process for planning a Disneyland vacation with your family? Get our Disneyland Planning Guide with Printable Worksheets to help you plan a fun, easy, stress-free, magical vacation to Disneyland in Anaheim. It includes our best tips for visiting Disneyland with kids. The 75 printable pages include Disneyland vacation planning information, Disneyland vacation planner templates, and printable worksheets.
Watch this Video about Rain Disneyland Tips
For more about family travel, check out these posts:
Top 10 Best Things to do at Downtown Disney
When Is The Best Time To Visit Disneyland?
Disneyland Planning Guide with Printable Worksheets
Games To Play In Line At Disney
Which Is Better, Disney World Or Disneyland?
Can You Bring Food Into Disneyland?
Where To Stay at Disneyland California?
How Many Days in Disneyland?
How does the Lightning Lane work at Disneyland?
Disneyland Tips for Families
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Ruth Hutchins grew up in England and now lives in North Carolina with her husband, Doug, and their two young daughters. They always loved to travel, but once having children everything changed because family travel is more complicated. Traveling with a baby may feel overwhelming to new parents. Travel with a toddler can really test your patience, and traveling with kids can lead to utter chaos. However, travel with your little ones doesn’t have to be that stressful or exhausting. On the BE Family Travel blog Ruth shares her parenting wins, and even epic failures about traveling with kids. She provides resources to help you feel empowered to plan a family vacation and travel with your children.
