Just like the theme parks, the water parks at Disney World, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, also stay open even when it's raining. However, should it start to storm with thunder and lightning, the slides, wave pools and other rides will close down until it's safe for them to reopen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Disney's Animal Kingdom is not recommended for rainy day traveling due to most of the animal habitats being outdoors. Only Test Track closes due to rain.
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.
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!
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.
If you miss it completely without modifying it beforehand, you will not be able to redeem the reservation nor will you be able to make another Lightning Lane reservation for that same attraction for that same day. However, you'll certainly be able to make another reservation for a different attraction.
Or maybe you just forget. What happens then? Do you lose your chance to ride that attraction? Well, the good news is that you're given an automatic grace period of 15 minutes AFTER your Lightning Lane time has passed to scan into the Lightning Lane.
What if a ride breaks down for one of my Genie+ selections? If a ride breaks down during your return time, you will receive a “Multiple Experience” just like the old FastPass+ days. You won't be able to choose from every experience, but you'll be able to choose another attraction to ride depending on what's available.
Over at Hollywood Studios, the outdoor attractions in Toy Story Land are the unlucky ones that must close when it rains: Alien Swirling Saucers. Slinky Dog Dash.
When it first opened, the ride only dropped once from the top of the tower, but less than two years later, a second drop was added.The ride got a third drop in 1999, along with new features like rumbling and more time in the elevator shaft.