Originally Posted By RidgebackLuver We leave Jan. 26 for our trip, and it shows rain the 24-25 so far. I see there has been a lot of rain this month. The prior weather patterns showed very little rain in January, which is why we chose this month! I realize none of you can predict the weather, but is this normal, and can we expect to be rained on during the week of our trip?!? We come home Feb. 4. We aren't the type that can handle being wet and cold, as we are from a hotter and dryer part of Nor Cal.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I've had very few days at WDW that were total washouts because of rain. Many days have showers, but usually they move through quickly... it will rain for 15-20 minutes and then clear up. Just because showers are forecast for a day does not mean it will rain all day. Highs during that period are predicted (at weather.com 10 day forecast) to be in the 70's, so even if you get some rain it shouldn't be cold. By the way... weather predictions for Orlando change frequently... I wouldn't take them too seriously until you are just a few days from your trip.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Even if you do get wet, I've found that WDW can be a lot of fun in the rain. The folks there are quite resilient (unlike the crew at DL, who has been known to close the parks early in the rain) and keep up business as usual. The parks were all designed with rain in mind, and have plenty of dry spots, including tons of indoor queues. If you just stick with it, and bring a poncho and a spare change of shoes (so one can dry out while you're wearing the other in the parks), you'll have a great time!
Originally Posted By two4dud You will have fun ...rain or no rain. I have found rain showers in Orlando are usually between 15-20 minutes and can often be quite refreshing! My daughter and I encountered on our last trip and took them as a sign to find a nice spot to sit down with a snack and refuel. Then we were off and running again!
Originally Posted By danyoung While I agree with most of the above about the short afternoon showers, doesn't that usually take place in the late summer/early fall? I'm thinking in January there may be a bit more chance for longer showers. I'm right there with RoadTrip in that I've rarely had long periods of rain in the parks, but it does happen. I was there one night when it freakin' POURED just as IllumiNations started. I tried to tough it out, but it was coming down so hard that I had to retreat to hiding under the awning of a food cart. It was closed up for the night, so I just kinda had to squeeze between folds and wait for the worst to subside. So it does happen, but hopefully you'll have just the brief cloudbursts that are more normal for Florida.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Should it rain it's more likely to last several hours or even all day this time of year.
Originally Posted By standor When it rains on Orlando it usually rains for hours. The only exception I know is in July and August. It usually rains for less than a half hour, and the sun comes out and dries up all the water. Even when there is rain, there is a lot to do in WDW. Just live with the rain and enjoy your visit.
Originally Posted By danyoung standor, are you a local? What you're saying doesn't match with my experience, but then I'm from Dallas and only visit. Usually when there's rain it's the cloudburst variety that lasts 20 to 30 minutes. I've experienced this at almost all times of the year. And even then occasionally I get the full day rain thing. This last trip in September 2011 there was a short but very violent rain period. From the Main Street train station you couldn't even see the castle!
Originally Posted By standor I can only talk from my experience. The only time we were washed out was when we went in the second week of June. We wore our ponchos most of the time on that trip.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb It rained pretty steady for almost two and a half days when we were there in Jan/Feb of '06.
Originally Posted By disneyfreaksk You are all correct. The big difference is that in DL the crowds dissapate during rain (many locals) and at WDW (many out of towners) the people find shelter and then come back quickly. Ponchos and extra shoes are a good suggestion. ºoº
