Disney Attractions to Escape the Rain
If you’re planning a trip to Disney World, you must be prepared for the possibility of rain, especially during the summer months. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Orlando receives an average of 51 inches of rainfall annually, significantly higher than the United States average of 37 inches per year. However, don’t let a little precipitation dampen your spirits or ruin your vacation. With the right knowledge and planning, you can still have a magical time at Disney World, even on a rainy day.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best Disney attractions to escape the rain, including thrilling rides, entertaining shows, and immersive experiences that will keep you engaged and having fun, no matter the weather outside.
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Which Disney Attractions Close When It’s Raining?
When considering the weather at Disney World, it’s important to know which attractions may be affected by rain. Luckily, most rides at Disney World are indoors and not impacted by wet weather. However, a handful of attractions typically close when precipitation (or thunder and lightning) passes through the park during inclement weather.
These include:
- Magic Kingdom: Astro Orbiter, Big Thunder Mountain, Dumbo, and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Epcot: Test Track
- Hollywood Studios: Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and Lights, Motors, Action!
- Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest and any attraction with animals
On a positive note, when examining weather patterns at Disney World, you will notice shorter lines once the rain stops, as many visitors head for the exits when the weather deteriorates. With that said, here is a list of the best Disney attractions to escape the rain and make the most of your time during suboptimal weather conditions.
The Best Disney Attractions to Escape the Rain
Magic Kingdom Attractions to Escape the Rain
1. Hall of Presidents
If you find yourself near Liberty Square during a rainstorm, make your way over to the Hall of Presidents.
The air-conditioned waiting room provides ample seating to take cover while the rain passes through.
If you want to stick around for the attraction, the 25-minute educational multi-media stage show features realistic Audio-Animatronics of all 46 U.S. presidents (including Biden).
2. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
If you skipped Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress in favor of more exciting attractions when the sun was shining, a sudden rain shower may be just enough motivation to enter this Disney World classic.
Located in Tomorrowland, the Carousel of Progress was originally created by Walt Disney for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair.
The attraction features an interesting 21-minute show about how technology has shaped our modern-day world.
This educational and time-consuming attraction may be just what you are looking for on a rainy afternoon at Disney World.
3. Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a 12-minute 3D show featuring Sorcerer Mickey and Donald and scenes from classic Disney films, such as The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Peter Pan, and Fantasia.
With an indoor queue line and pre-show, Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a great attraction to pass the time while you dodge the rain.
4. Space Mountain
Tomorrowland’s Space Mountain roller coaster is one of the most popular rides at Disney World, which means long standby wait times. This is usually a negative, but if you are planning on riding this attraction anyway, why not go when it’s raining?
Space Mountain’s covered and air-conditioned queue line provides comfortable protection from the elements before you step aboard this thrilling Disney attraction.
5. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is a relaxing, 10-minute journey through Tomorrowland. This slow-moving ride offers covered seating and a chance to rest your feet while taking in views of the futuristic land below. It’s a great option for escaping the rain and crowds.
6. Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean first opened in 1973 and is still as popular as ever. In fact, it tops our list of the best Magic Kingdom rides.
The attraction has spawned a hugely popular film franchise starring Johnny Depp. The queue for this attraction is almost always long, but it’s entirely air-conditioned and covered, making it a top ride to escape the hot and rainy weather.
7. Dumbo’s Indoor Playground
If you have young children, you may want to seek shelter from the rain inside the big-top tent of Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
Instead of a waiting line, this attraction has an indoor (and air-conditioned) playground, complete with slides, climbing nets, and an area for toddlers.
A Cast Member will hand you a pager to hold your place in line as your children have fun in the play area. They won’t even realize that it’s raining outside!
8. Country Bear Musical Jamboree
If you find yourself in Frontierland when the rain starts falling, the Country Bear Musical Jamboree Audio-Animatronics attraction – starring a hilarious batch of singing bears – provides a good refuge to escape the bad weather. The show has changed a bit over the years, with the latest version (debuted July 2024) featuring country/western/bluegrass versions of Disney songs such as The Bear Necessities, Try Everything, and Kiss the Girl.
9. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
A section of the queue line and pre-show of this classic Disney attraction is outdoors, but entirely covered and protected from the elements.,
The show itself is indoors and usually has very little wait time.
Relax and listen to the singing robotic birds while you wait out a passing shower.
10. Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
The Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor is a 400-seat comedy club with a refreshing air-conditioned main queue area.
This is a great spot to escape the rain, so long as the queue line is short enough that it doesn’t stretch outside.
11. Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
The queue through Ariel’s Grotto provides cover from the rain before you enter this fun indoor musical and adventure ride.
The attraction itself takes riders through a dazzling display of visual effects and Audio-Animatronics as it retells scenes from the classic Disney movie “The Little
Mermaid.”
Other Magic Kingdom attractions to escape the rain:
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Stitch’s Great Escape
- The covered outdoor patios of Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant
See our Magic Kingdom Secrets and Oldest Rides at Disney World pages for more interesting tidbits about this Disney theme park.
EPCOT Attractions to Escape the Rain
1. The Land Pavilion
One of the best spots to wait out a rainstorm at Disney World is inside Epcot’s The Land pavilion.
There you’ll find spectacular indoor attractions (Soarin’, Living with the Land, and the 20-minute conservation film Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable), delicious dining options (The Garden Grill, Sunshine Seasons food court), as well as unique shopping to keep you engaged and having fun for hours.
By the time you’ve experienced everything in The Land, the rain may have long since stopped.
2. The Seas with Nemo & Friends
At The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion, you can wait out a rain shower by exploring the indoor 5.7 million gallon saltwater aquarium, eating at the Coral Reef Restaurant, seeing Turtle Talk with Crush, or riding a “clamobile” on The Seas with Nemo & Friends attraction.
3. The American Adventure
The American Adventure is the host pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase. It also shares its name with the pavilion’s main attraction, a 30-minute long Audio-Animatronics stage show of American history.
The American Adventure also has a large indoor (and nice air-conditioned) waiting room to escape the rain.
4. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
Located inside the pyramid at Epcot’s Mexico pavilion, the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros, is a gentle Audio-Animatronic boat ride.
Enjoy the antics of these three feathered amigos and the dazzling sights of Mexico as you stay dry inside this World Showcase attraction.
5. Spaceship Earth
The Spaceship Earth attraction, located inside Epcot’s iconic geosphere, explores the evolution of human civilization from the Stone Age to the modern computer era. Once you’re done with the ride, head over to the Project Tomorrow: Inventing the Wonders of the Future interactive play area.
By the time you finish, the clouds may have cleared up.
6. Frozen Ever After
Located in the Norway pavilion, Frozen Ever After is a boat ride that takes you through the kingdom of Arendelle. The indoor queue and ride provide a perfect escape from the rain while immersing you in the world of the beloved Disney movie “Frozen.”
7. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
This new indoor roller coaster opened in 2022 and has quickly become a must-ride attraction at Epcot. The queue area and ride are entirely indoors, making it an excellent choice for a rainy day at Disney World.
8. Impressions de France
Impressions de France is an 18-minute film that displays the magnificence and allure of France through breathtaking imagery and classical music. It offers a peaceful and informative break from the rain.
You can find it in the France pavilion, one of the Epcot countries in World Showcase.
9. Journey into Imagination with Figment
Join Figment, a lovable purple dragon, on a whimsical journey through the Imagination Institute.
This indoor ride is perfect for kids and adults alike, offering a fun and engaging experience while escaping the rain.
See our Epcot Secrets and Best Epcot Attractions pages for more interesting tidbits about this Disney theme park.
Hollywood Studios Attractions to Escape the Rain
1. Voyage of The Little Mermaid
If you find yourself in Hollywood Studios during the rain, head for Voyage of The Little Mermaid, an abridgment of the 1989 Disney film “The Little Mermaid.” The 15-minute live show features actors, puppets, and special effects.
While the line for this attraction does occasionally stretch outside (not covered), the wait time is usually short, and the indoor queue is a safe place to wait out the rain before the show begins.
2. Muppet*Vision 3D
With a 12-minute pre-show and an 18-minute show, Muppet*Vision 3D is one of the longest attractions at Disney World. The show is filled with an assortment of Muppet shenanigans, 3D tricks, singing by Miss Piggy, and appearances by all your favorite Muppets characters.
Muppet*Vision 3D will entertain you for at least a half-hour while the rain falls outside.
3. Star Tours
With a fun indoor queue populated with Audio-Animatronic characters, a pre-show, and a ride that takes guests through random scenes from the Star Wars universe, Star Tours is a fun Star Wars attraction to escape the rain!
4. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
In the event of rain, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror may be a good place to seek shelter. This accelerated drop tower dark ride—inspired by Rod Serling’s groundbreaking television series “The Twilight Zone”—places riders in a hotel elevator where people have mysteriously disappeared through supernatural forces.
By the time you exit The Twilight Zone, the clouds may have disappeared as well.
5. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
This newer attraction, which opened in 2020, takes guests on a wild ride through the wacky world of Mickey Mouse cartoons. The indoor queue and ride provide a perfect escape from the rain while enjoying state-of-the-art technology and immersive storytelling.
See our Hollywood Studios Secrets and Top Rides at Hollywood Studios pages for more interesting tidbits about this Disney theme park.
Animal Kingdom Attractions to Escape the Rain
1. Avatar Flight of Passage
Although not specifically designed for rainy days, Avatar Flight of Passage is an indoor attraction that provides an immersive experience in the world of Pandora. The queue area is mostly indoors, and the ride itself is entirely indoor, making it a great option to escape the rain while enjoying one of Disney World’s most popular attractions.
2. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond! is the popular new (reimagined) stage show in DinoLand U.S.A. Based on the classic Disney-Pixar film that everyone knows and loves, the stage show features various singers, performers, and puppets.
With a run time of 25 minutes, this attraction is one of the best options for escaping a rainy day at Animal Kingdom.
3. Festival of the Lion King
The Festival of the Lion King is another lengthy stage show to enjoy when the weather turns sour.
Located inside the new Harambe Theater, the Festival of the Lion King is an entertaining and high-energy live musical that runs for about 30 minutes.
4. Dinosaur
Seek cover inside Dinosaur, and you won’t be disappointed. This dark EMV ride takes you on a turbulent journey through the prehistoric Cretaceous period and features captivating Audio-Animatronic dinosaur scenes.
The queue, pre-show, and attraction itself will ensure that you remain “dry as a bone.”
See our Animal Kingdom Secrets and the Best Animal Kingdom Rides page for more interesting tidbits about this Disney theme park.
Tips for Dealing with Rain at Disney World
1. Wear a Poncho
Most people run for cover when the raindrops start to fall. However, if you don’t mind getting a little wet, simply strap on a poncho and continue with your touring plans. The sidewalks will be sparse, and lines should be much shorter. Just be cautious of lightning – if you hear thunder, get indoors! See the Packing List for Disney World page for poncho suggestions.
2. Go Eat Something
Some of our favorite Disney attractions to escape the rain involve food. When bad weather descends over Disney World, head to a nearby restaurant and enjoy some of Disney World’s delicious culinary delights.
By the time you finish eating, the sky may be clear, and you will be energized and ready to hit the rides again.
3. Head to Disney Springs
Disney Springs is a lively shopping, dining, and entertainment complex within Walt Disney World. It provides an eclectic mix of boutiques, unique eateries, and amazing entertainment that will make you forget about the bad weather.
You could spend hours exploring World of Disney (the world’s largest Disney character store), the huge Coca-Cola Store, Star Wars Galactic Outpost, Once Upon a Toy, Disney Design-A-Tee, and other shops located within this area.
Additionally, Disney Springs has a wonderful assortment of restaurants to escape the rain, including Splitsville, a retro bowling alley with great cuisine, The Boathouse (a boat-themed bar/restaurant with excellent food), Homecoming (Southern cuisine), and T-Rex Café (a fun place for dinosaur-loving kids and adults).
There’s even a 24-screen movie theatre on the premises – the AMC Theater at Disney Springs. This state-of-the-art theater offers the “Fork & Screen” dining package, where you can enjoy a delicious meal while you watch a film. Rainy days have never been so fun!
Disney Springs is free to enter, and you don’t need a park ticket or hotel reservation to explore the area. It’s a fun place to visit – rain or shine.
4. Shop outside of WDW
If Disney World’s weather forecast looks grim for the entire day, then it may provide a good opportunity to venture off-property…and go shopping!
There are several outlet malls in the greater Orlando area where you can escape the rain for a few hours while browsing through discounted name-brand merchandise.
Our favorite outlet is Character Warehouse, a huge Disney-themed store brimming with discounted Disney merchandise. While you are there, browse through a wide selection of official Disney character toys, collectibles, clothing, and other Disney World souvenirs.
Finally, The Grand Floridian is an elegant AAA Four Diamond resort and spa. By the time you have explored each Disney resort, the rain may have stopped.
See our Disney World for Adults article for a fun monorail bar crawl route (21+).
5. Resort Hopping
If you have some extra time on your hands during a rainy day, consider resort hopping. Disney World is home to numerous themed resorts, each with its own unique atmosphere, dining options, and entertainment.
One of the best ways to explore some of these resorts is by taking the Magic Kingdom Resort Monorail loop. This monorail line connects Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. You can easily hop on and off at each resort to explore their unique offerings:
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort: Check out the stunning Mary Blair mural in the lobby, grab a bite at Chef Mickey’s, or visit the Fantasia Market gift shop.
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: Enjoy the tropical atmosphere, browse the shops at the Moana Mercantile, or grab a Dole Whip at Pineapple Lanai.
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: Marvel at the elegant Victorian architecture, listen to live jazz music in the lobby, or explore the upscale shops and dining options.
In addition to the monorail resorts, there are several other resorts worth visiting on a rainy day:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Explore the stunning African-inspired architecture and watch the animals roam the savanna from the comfort of the indoor viewing areas.
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Enjoy the rustic charm of this Pacific Northwest-inspired resort, complete with a cozy fireplace and indoor seating areas.
- Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts: These sister resorts offer a variety of indoor activities, including an arcade, restaurants, and lounges.
See our Disney World for Adults article for a fun monorail bar crawl route (21+) and our Guide to Disney Deluxe Resorts, Guide to Disney Moderate Resorts, and Guide to Disney Value Resorts.
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Enjoy Your Trip to Disney World, Rain or Shine!
We hope that you found this guide to Disney World attractions during rainy weather helpful in planning your vacation. Remember, a rainy day at Disney World is still better than a sunny day at work! With a little planning and flexibility, you can make the most of your time at the parks, regardless of the weather conditions.
For more Disney World tips, insights, and hidden secrets, feel free to explore other Magic Guides pages, such as our Best Disney Attractions for Kids, Best Disney Rides for Toddlers, Bringing Toddlers to Disney World, Best Disney Travel Agencies, and more.
If you need help planning and booking your magical Walt Disney World vacation, contact our friends at The Vacationeer. Their helpful services are always free of charge! Click below for a free, no-obligation quote.
