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Why We Love Disneyland When It’s Raining!

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Why We Love Visiting Disneyland When It's Raining!Click To TweetWhy we love Disneyland in the rain

Last week we finally got some good rain and April will definitely be bringing more… which means it’s a great time to go to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Thanks to Disneyland…we were invited to take a day off for some Disney fun so that we could share all the great things to do when the rain starts coming down.
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The first place we head to when it’s raining at Disneyland is to Main street. There is a Starbucks and we normally get soy lattes to sip. The thing with rainy days is that they are normally a lot less crowded and that means more time for rides… and a more leisurely visit. So lattes and hot chocolate (for the little ones) is a must.

On the other side of the street from Starbucks are old style games, like strength testers… but the girls favorites are the penny shows. You put a penny in, and then look through the viewers to some old school style short movies. Since this is inside, it’s the perfect thing to do while you stay warm and dry.
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Right behind the penny machines is a candy shop and you can even watch them make candy and treats. Emmy could watch them for hours!

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Because having a treat first is fun, we get lunch after. During the day, we stop for gumbo right around the corner from Pirates of the Caribbean. Their vegetarian gumbo is out of this world amazing! 

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Right past the gumbo stop is the Haunted Mansion.

The line for the ride is outside, but it’s rarely more than just walking through to the entrance, so go straight to the Haunted Mansion where it’s nice and dry. Try not to take home any hitchhiking ghosts.
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Another ride with a very short outside amount of time is Winnie The Pooh.

If there is a line it moves very quickly so we will rarely get too wet. Regardless of your age… Winnie The Pooh is for everyone!

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You’ve probably worked up an appetite now like we did, so head over to Carnation Cafe on Main Street for some home style food.  
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We love their vegan burgers, but I’ve heard amazing things about all the food. Plus, there is indoor seating. They take reservations but if you aren’t able to make one, we’ve had luck walking up for a table too. 

If you happen to be in Disney California Adventure, and you are hungry, head straight to Boudin for a bread bowl filled with warm soup followed by a cup of hot chocolate from Ghirardelli which is just steps away. There is also a coffee cart right across from Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, which is steps away from Boudin. 

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Now that your tummy is full, you must ride Sourin’. 

Sourin’ is one of our favorite rides and the line to get on it is covered most of the way, so it’s the perfect place to wait out a shower and go on a fun ride!

There is also a huge Starbucks in Disney California Adventure that is perfect for snacking, warm drinks, and regrouping before you set off on your next ride or activity.

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Here are a few more tips to get the most out of Disneyland in the rain:

  • Bring ponchos or buy them there. Most of the shops inside the parks sell ponchos and umbrellas, but if you have some at home be sure to pack them. 
  • Don’t forget to catch some shows. Check the entertainment schedule for the daily show times.
  • Go on your favorite rides over and over again. When there are less guests at the parks, that means much shorter lines, and in come cases, you can just keep riding your favorite rides.
  • Take some cool pictures. When the sun isn’t as bright with the clouds, you can take some unique picture memories of the castle and Main Street. 

See even more tips on the Disney Parks Blog.

What is your favorite thing to do at Disneyland when it’s raining?

Heather Reese
the authorHeather Reese
Heather Delaney Reese is the storyteller and photographer behind the lifestyle and family travel blog, It's a Lovely Life®! For the past decade, she has vacationed over 150 days a year with her family. She is a vegan, and loves being by the water, spending time with her children, husband, 2 Shih Tzus and Cat.

54 Comments

  • We always go to Disney World in August, which is rainy season there. Sometimes it doesn’t rain at all or sometimes it will just be a passing shower, but we definitely have to get creative when it does rain there.

    • It always seems to rain when we are there! Normally it’s pretty short, but aways still fun!

  • We spent a day at Disney in the rain when our kids were young… it was fun, although our ponchos were all huge, it made for great memories.

    • The ponchos are a must for a rainy Disney day! They’re so fun to throw on when it’s not raining and go on Splash Mountain a zillion times!

  • I wonder if Disney World has the same candy making window and the penny machines.That would be good to know if we get back there.

  • I love how quick you can get on all your favorite rides when it’s raining. Plus, the cloudy skies are brightened by my children’s smiles when they get to play in the rain.

  • That is actually a good plan! As long as it is not freezing cold I think that is a great way to get more bang for your buck!

  • I never would’ve considered going to an amusement park on a rainy day. I love the way you utilized your time while at Disneyland! It’s almost a whole new way to enjoy the park!

  • We love to visit Disneyland in the rain! The lines are so much shorter! But besides a rainy day, the best day to go to Disneyland is on Super Bowl Sunday. The crowds are so much thinner when everyone’s at home watching football.

  • I think we’ve done Disney in the rain before. We probably still had a lot of fun! The Haunted Mansion is one of our favorites.

  • Rain or shine, I would love to visit Disneyland. I would love my family to spend at least a week to this one of a kind theme park.

  • It’s always fun to have a bit of rain when you’re outside, what more if you’re in Disneyland. There’s still a lot of places to explore despite the rain and that makes it more awesome!

  • Soarin was my favorite ride at Disney. In Fl, it rains a little bit each afternoon. We happened to hit Epcot on a semi rainy day. We took advantage of everything indoors that we could do while waiting out the rain.

  • You don’t have to miss out on the fun of a Disney day when it’s raining. The kids love playing in the rain, and this will certainly makes for memories.

  • reading this giving me lots of ideas and plans for our disney trip next year for my daughters bday! thanks for all the infos

  • Never been to Disney before but I can say if I were to go and it rain – that’s fine by me. I think it would be fun. Plus, you don’t go to Disney every single day so why not! Love your reasonings.

    • I’ve always found that to be true too. It doesn’t bother us one bit. It’s fun being out in the rain, since I’m normally hurrying us all indoors when it’s raining.

  • Disney in the rain looks like it can be a ton of fun. If you dress right you can have a great day.

  • Great tips for making the most out of a damp situation. With the right attitude, any day is a good day–but, when at DISNEYLAND, the happiest place on earth, you just gotta make the best out of it, right? Fabulous advice.

  • When we have a choice, I always pick Disneyland. I love it so much more than Disney World. I love that you can walk across to the other park. I love that the Pirates of the Caribbean is a longer ride than at Disney with two splash downs. And the weather is so much better.

  • I have heard that Disney is best when it rains!! Not so many people and you can actually enjoy the rides!! Great post!!

  • I use to live in Orlando and I would always tell people visiting that rain really is your best friend if you don’t get a chance to go to the parks often! You can get on the most rides that way!

  • Honestly I’m just dying to go to Disney! Rain or Shine, I wanna go!! One day!! These are great tips incase I get stuck in the rain!

  • The lines are a lot quicker when it’s raining. As long as it’s not thundering and lightening, I don’t mind.

  • I haven’t been to Disneyland since I was little myself. It looks like Disney in the rain is the way to go! The only thing that has held me back from taking my kids was the thought of long lines.

  • I had a chance to visit Disneyland 2-years back & it was such a fun experience with my kids. I am sure it could be so much fun when it rains & the pictures you have shared here are quiet amazing.

  • Disney Land will always be Disney Land, it will be as great no matter what the weather will be. Now, I miss being there with my kids. We’re looking forward to visiting Disney Land this summer.

  • I think Disney is fun regardless of weather! I’m glad that you and your kiddos have such a great time there.

  • We are just beginning to discuss planning a Disney Trip! Its nice to have some tips on what to do if it rains, otherwise I am sure I would have been thinking great trip ruined!

  • English theme parks in the rain are awful, but I can imagine there is something about DisneyLand in the rain that makes it just as wonderful. x

  • We have been to Disneyland with our family and loved it. I am glad it didn’t rain since we haven’t been able to go back, but it would be fun to experience all of the things you normally wouldn’t do. I will have to try the Gumbo next time we are there. It looks yummy!

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