Originally Posted By DisneyGreek I'm going to Disneyland this weekend and saw that it was going to rain the whole time where there so I was just wondering what things we should definently try and get done at the park when its raining and what things we can let slip by?
Originally Posted By tashajilek Well if it's raining there usually is no long waits for anything. I am sure you will be able to do pretty much everything you want to.
Originally Posted By Moon Waffle With many attractions being indoors or at least partially indoors, Disneyland can actually be a great place to be on a rainy day. There are usually very small crowds and yet most rides are open. Certainly the dark rides, space mountain, indy, pirates, mansion, nemo, small world, etc. are all basically teh exact same experience, rain or shine.
Originally Posted By Moon Waffle With many attractions being indoors or at least partially indoors, Disneyland can actually be a great place to be on a rainy day. There are usually very small crowds and yet most rides are open. Certainly the dark rides, space mountain, indy, pirates, mansion, nemo, small world, etc. are all basically teh exact same experience, rain or shine.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub i can tell you one place not to go if it is a cold windy rain...and that would be the popular Grand Californian fireplace/lobby.
Originally Posted By Sparrow If it's a heavy downpour, they may close a lot of the outdoor rides, including rides that load outdoors (Thunder Mtn, Matterhorn, Storybook Land) but I've only been there twice when that happens and they usually open them back up again after things dry out a little.
Originally Posted By SafariRob I have seen Alice in Wonderland, Teacups and Autopia shut down in the rain. I think Casey Jr and Storybookland might close, too. Jungle Cruise in rain is neat.
Originally Posted By sjdimon Disneyland is WONDERFUL in the rain. Of course, some of the outdoor attractions my be closed or inadvisable (as mentioned above). Of course, parades and fireworks are also likely to be cancelled - BUT - the indoor attractions that remain open are GREAT in the rain since the crowds are virtually non-existent; AND it's just nice to be able to take the park at a slower pace than you have to when it's crowded.
Originally Posted By pleiades357 I love Disney in the rain, esp at night, the lights look wonderful. Good moody gloom for Mansion too... one rainy Monday, TSM 3 times, 10 min wait... did not improve my score though, humidity. I suggest a poncho instead of umbrella, I bought a great one at REI that covers all, breathable and not flappy in wind... caught by surprise one time, poncho not in car... used umbrella... needed to pay attention to people not paying attention walking into umbrella spokes, found I not only had to watch where I was going but watch everyone else too, maybe not a problem if you are over 5' 4" we are going too... National weather service says one thing, Accu weather says another...
Originally Posted By fzzybddy There is no greater time to visit DL than on a rainy day/night, unless it's fireworks, Fantasmic, or parades you're interested in. Early January 1991 I took my 10 and 7 year old boys in heavy rain to DL. Sounds crazy but it was our only chance to take a trip. There were NO lines anywhere at any ride. We got off Jungle Cruise and right back on six times with no wait. Sat at what we called Geppetoes by the Sky Buckets and ate "Geppetoe Burgers" under the umbrellas outside. To this day, my kids (now 30 and 27) still remember it and must stop at the same place, sit under an outdoor umbrella (rarely with rain) and bore their significent others with the story of DL in the rain with Dad. To add to the thrill, my #2 son just finished working at DL/DCA this past year, reliving the experience and creating his own memories. I highly recommend it. Just wear raincoats with hoods and have a change of shoes and socks back at the hotel or in the car. It takes about two days for gym shoes to dry out.
Originally Posted By topdisneymom Does anyone know if they still sell those plastic parkers behind the counter in all the gift shops? Do they have childrens sizes?
Originally Posted By hbquikcomjamesl Rainy weather is ideal for Splash Mountain, and presumably also for GRR: the crowds are thinner, and you're already dressed for the ride. If your raincoat doesn't have a hood, get a Sou'wester to go with it; a raised umbrella would be a safety hazard. For Sou'westers, try a ship chandlery with a clothing department: a Google shopping search finds them at Go2Marine (where I got mine), Hamilton Marine, GoodBoatGear, and an outfit called "Construction Gear."
Originally Posted By karlg Where a poncho and go on everything. Thunder Mountain is a "different" experience in the rain (I particularly remember a cold November in Tokyo with the rain biting at my face). This of it as a "water attraction" an dress accordingly. With a decent poncho, you are not going to get that wet other than your face. I don't know the exact rules at DL, but at other parks (WDW and Tokyo DL) they only close TM for heavy rain and lightning.
Originally Posted By topdisneymom I meant to say parka not parker! Parker is how I pronounce it. Do they still sell them if the gift shops?
Originally Posted By karlg A "parka" is something you would wear to go out in the snow. A "poncho" is a light weight hooded covering to protect you from the elements. They have poncho's stashed everywhere and if it is raining, they will be out everywhere and not just near the water based attractions. Remember the Disney motto, "I you will buy it in big numbers, we will sell it." Ponchos used to be a bargain/low cost at the park but like many other things, it when from being a "service" to a way to make money. Still I don't remember them being terribly expensive. Many people buy a roughly $1 throwaway poncho (they are pretty much good for one or two uses or a "deluxe" about $3.50 poncho at a store if they don't want the Disneyland version.
Originally Posted By topdisneymom Karig, thanks for the lesson on "parka vs poncho". Forgive me, I'm from San diego. LoL! I'm going to Target today in search of thoses throw away ponchos! Thanks for the help!
