Does Disney close rides on rainy days?

Do the rides shut down when it rains? Yes. They absolutely can. Attractions that are outdoors – like Slinky Dog Dash, Expedition Everest, Test Track, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, to name a few – will shut down, especially if there is nearby lightning.



Disney Parks generally do not close rides for "standard" rain; however, they will immediately suspend outdoor attractions if lightning or high winds are detected within a specific radius (usually 6 to 10 miles). In 2026, indoor attractions like Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and It’s a Small World continue to operate regardless of the weather, making them the perfect refuge during a Florida or California downpour. Outdoor coasters like Big Thunder Mountain or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will close temporarily until the storm cells pass. A major "pro" strategy for a rainy 2026 Disney day is that many guests leave the parks when it starts to drizzle, resulting in significantly shorter wait times for the indoor "E-Ticket" attractions. Disney rarely offers "Rain Checks" for tickets unless the parks are forced to close entirely due to a hurricane, so the best advice is to pack a high-quality poncho, keep an eye on the "My Disney Experience" app for real-time operational updates, and embrace the shorter lines that often follow a brief afternoon thunderstorm.

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The truth is, when it is rainy outside, the parks will be a lot less busy. So if you can handle it, you will often find that you can get a lot done during a storm. But, if you prefer to stay totally out of the rain, there are other things you can do on property that are still a lot of fun.

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The truth is, when it is rainy outside, the parks will be a lot less busy. So if you can handle it, you will often find that you can get a lot done during a storm. But, if you prefer to stay totally out of the rain, there are other things you can do on property that are still a lot of fun.

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If you think that the day you will be in the parks is just too risky to try because of the rain, you can always try and rebook your Theme Park Reservation and change the date of your ticket. You will be able to do both from your My Disney Experience account online or your My Disney Experience app.

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Slinky Dog Dash is in Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Since it's an outdoor attraction, it shuts down in heavy rain and if there's severe weather or lightning in the area. Much of the queue is exposed to the elements, and even the portion of the queue that's covered isn't enclosed. And it can get HOT.

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The wet months at Walt Disney World are June, July, August, and September. During that time, you can expect that it will rain almost every day.

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The wet months at Walt Disney World are June, July, August, and September. During that time, you can expect that it will rain almost every day. Most of the time you will get an intense drenching for an hour in the late afternoon which then passes quickly.

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When Is Rainy Season at Disney World?
  • January: 2.7 inches.
  • February: 2.8 inches.
  • March: 3.8 inches.
  • April: 2.5 inches.
  • May: 3.3 inches.
  • June: 8.7 inches.
  • July: 7.1 inches.
  • August: 7.8 inches.


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Lucky for us, ponchos are available for purchase at Disneyland if it starts to pour. Child-size ponchos go for $10 and adult-size ones for $12. But remember, Mirsa: prices and availability of these items are subject to change at any time.

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A notable “exception” is Tower of Terror, which can (ironically) operate through severe weather. With no lightning, its incredibly rare for heavy rain to shut down a ride for very long, if for no other reason than exceptionally heavy rain usually just can't fall that long.

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Inclement weather may also affect entertainment—including shows and parades—in both parks. All outdoor attractions will close when lightning is observed in the area.

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A notable “exception” is Tower of Terror, which can (ironically) operate through severe weather. With no lightning, its incredibly rare for heavy rain to shut down a ride for very long, if for no other reason than exceptionally heavy rain usually just can't fall that long.

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Off-peak times fall around January, February, September, and early November. Discounts on vacation packages booked directly through Disney (which combine park tickets and hotel stays) can be found year-round, though they're most common at these less-crowded times.

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Off-peak times fall around January, February, September, and early November. Discounts on vacation packages booked directly through Disney (which combine park tickets and hotel stays) can be found year-round, though they're most common at these less-crowded times.

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But that can also mean cool mornings and evenings, which are especially shocking if you come from a place with warm nights. Compared to Disney World, Disneyland will generally feel cooler and drier with much cooler nights. Even the same daytime temperatures might feel cooler with the lower humidity.

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You can have temperatures in the high 80s or even 90s one day and drop into the 50s at night the next.

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While some rides and shows may close due to rain or wind, they are opened as soon as the weather clears. Refunds and rainchecks are not offered.

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Some parks are better to visit on rainy days than others. At EPCOT, the only attraction that would close due to weather is Test Track. Most of the other rides — along with plenty of restaurants and shops — are located in Future World and are relatively close together so you wouldn't have to walk far in the rain.

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