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.
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.
Everything is more spread out, so you'd be caught longer in the rain. Based on the usual summer forecast, we'd recommend a plan that includes visiting Animal Kingdom in the morning and EPCOT in the afternoon. Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios each have a fair amount of indoor attractions.
What is this? The show must go on, and even when it is rainy, Disney World is open. Now, of course if Disney does happen to close for a weather event (like a hurricane) they will issue refunds then. But, if it is just a rainy day at Disney, the parks will remain open and no rain checks or refunds will be given.
Disney's official policy is that it does not offer refunds for rain. What is this? The show must go on, and even when it is rainy, Disney World is open. Now, of course if Disney does happen to close for a weather event (like a hurricane) they will issue refunds then.
Magic Kingdom does close a lot of attractions in the rain. They include Tomorrowland Speedway, Tom Sawyer Island, Festival of Fantasy Parade, Pirates of the Caribbean (only if there is flooding in Adventureland). In addition, they will close attractions for lightning in the area (but not just rain).
Splash Mountain has permanently closed at Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida. While the structure and ride path will remain the same, the story will be changed to and rethemed to The Princess and the Frog Disney Animated movie based on New Orleans.
The closing of the 30-year-old ride — which Princess Diana visited in 1993 — follows years of calls for change because it features several characters from Disney's 1946 film Song of the South, which featured racist stereotypes.
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.
Does the Monorail Run in the Rain? Thankfully, the Monorail that connects Magic Kingdom and Epcot and a few Disney resorts, should continue to run in the rain. It's actually a great option to consider if you don't want to be in the parks when it's raining.
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.
The fireworks are never fully cancelled if they were set by the pyro CM's, but can be severely delayed. If there's a ton of rain or very high winds then fireworks can be postponed for hours. It doesn't happen too often, but it does happen.
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.
Thanks for stopping by to ask a great question! I always try to be prepared for any weather on my Walt Disney World vacations. Yes, umbrellas are permitted in Walt Disney World!
Magic Kingdom's Splash Mountain creatures sang their last notes in January of 2023, and Disneyland's on May 31, 2023. Now, the ride has closed its doors forever. The brand new ride replacing it, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, is inspired by Tiana, the radiant star of the 2009 animated hit The Princess and the Frog.