One of the things we can’t ever predict about Disney World is the weather.
Rainy Day Cavalcade
Florida is notorious for the kind of weather that makes folks say, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” And, while the storms may usually pass quickly, that doesn’t mean that your day in the parks won’t be impacted. We’ve seen days where thunderstorms cause ride closures and even recently saw Disney’s Hollywood Studios flood. And, as we move into the Spring season in Central Florida, we’re bringing you along with us on a REALLY rainy day in Disney World!
To start our day off in Disney World today, we woke up to a Tornado Watch in Orlando (which runs through 1PM EST currently) along with some SEVERE thunderstorms. So, what does that mean for the parks? Well, with lightning in the area, many outdoor rides across Disney World were CLOSED for most of the morning.
©Disney
And, the skies were OMINOUS — even if you didn’t have access to a weather app, you knew something was brewing.
Spooky skies!
And, when the rain finally hit, guests flocked to cover! We found a spot near Sir Mickey’s in Magic Kingdom to wait out the storm with LOTS of other guests.
Trying to stay dry
But that didn’t stop a few brave souls from throwing on their rain gear and taking advantage of the open walkways. In Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we still spotted many people still exploring the park…
All poncho’d up
…and at EPCOT, people were still riding the indoor attractions that remained open.
Frozen Ever After Line
The amount of rain sure did do a doozy on the parks, though — over in Tomorrowland, we spotted a bit of flooding.
Clogged drain
But, at least we got to see the Rainy Day Cavalcade! This cavalcade only comes out when the weather is bad, so it’s kind of a little treat for withstanding all the rain and soaking wet socks.
Rainy Day Cavalcade
So what should you do during severe weather at Disney World? First, be sure to have a weather app handy on your phone so you know what kind of weather to expect. Second, understand that outdoor ride closures happen due to lightning — and even if you don’t SEE lightning, if there’s a storm near the Disney World area, rides will still close. And, know that stores and other indoor locations will be crowded.
Crowded store
Also, for those flying into Disney World, there could always be delays and cancellations (like we saw this morning at Orlando International Airport). So, be sure to check your flight status when you know that there could be impacts from the weather.
This is causing all kinds of issues @MCO; Here's a look at the big board there… pic.twitter.com/1nLngfcKfp
— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) March 12, 2022
Of course, we’ll keep you updated on ALL the Disney World news, so stay tuned to DFB for more!
Here’s A Complete List of the Attractions that Close When There’s Bad Weather in Disney World
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Have you ever been caught in bad weather at Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
A few years ago, we had a similar experience at Epcot. In fact, one of the worst spots was near the same clogged drain in your photo. The water level almost reached mid-calf. Ponchos were useless due to the wind, as were umbrellas. It was slow progress leaving the park. We were soaked to the skin. The next day at the pool, all you could see were sneakers lined up drying in the sun. We now travel with two pairs of sneakers and a good rain jacket.