Rainy Day Walt Disney World Park Rankings
A dear friend is visiting Walt Disney World this week. As a Canadian, he rarely gets to Orlando, usually picking Disneyland instead.
This trip had been in the planning stage since before the pandemic. So, he was quite bummed to notice that the forecast calls for rain during his trip.
We can all relate to a long-planned Disney trip going awry due to the weather. He has turned to my wife and I for advice on how to adjust.
I pointed him to Kristin Sabol’s excellent rainy day guide to Walt Disney World. But he wants something more specific.
Photo:visitorlando.com
How should we rank the Walt Disney World parks on rainy days? If you’re getting a Park Pass, which one(s) should you prioritize? Let’s talk it through!
4) Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom
I’ll start by saying there’s a wrinkle when I do these calculations.
My buddy is traveling with his two daughters, one of whom is under ten.
So, the advice I’m giving factors in the entertainment of a younger child, albeit a preternaturally mature one.
For this reason, I’d really like to rank Animal Kingdom higher, but I just can’t. You understand why.
Photo: D23
Some of the best rides at the park, like Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Kali River Rapids happen outside.
Most animal viewing experiences take place outdoors as well.
Photo: Disney
Animal Kingdom does offer some indoor attractions with waits that occur inside.
Rides like DINOSAUR and attractions like It’s Tough to Be a Bug will keep you warm and dry.
Photo: DigitialSpy.com
Then, we have the Pandora: The World of Avatar attractions.
While Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey qualify as indoor rides, part of their wait happens outside.
Photo: Disney
Since there are a lot of trees around, you can get pretty wet.
Still, the bigger problem with Animal Kingdom in the rain comes down to scale.
You’ll sometimes find yourself walking between themed lands when one of those out-of-nowhere Florida storms hits.
When that happens, you’re getting drenched.
Your best strategy in these moments is to enter a shop and hope the rain passes quickly.
3) EPCOT
Photo: Disney
This park would score higher if you travel alone or with a group of adults.
You can easily avoid the rain at this park by taking in a show or a slow infotainment attraction.
Photo: Disneyfanatic.com
Similarly, the World Showcase hosts numerous stores, exhibits, and eateries, so you can keep shopping.
You may even enjoy the cooler weather!
Children will perceive the situation much differently.
They probably won’t like Living with the Land or Spaceship Earth any more than algebra class.
Photo: Disney
You could maybe sell them on The Seas with Nemo and Friends or Journey Into Imagination with Figment, but they’ll spend most of the time complaining that they’re not at a more child-friendly park.
In truth, a child will have more fun during a rainy day at Animal Kingdom than at EPCOT. It’s more that you won’t.
2) Hollywood Studios
I seriously debated ranking this park first.
The primary reason I considered it is because so many of the shows occur indoors or under cover.
Similarly, character greetings like Olaf and Minnie Mouse take place inside as well.
Disney designed Hollywood Studios as a park with show-based attractions, and that philosophy remains to this day.
Of course, a few years ago, Disney rebuilt Hollywood Studios on the fly when it added Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
What do both these themed lands have in common?
Well, the main thing is that they’re both wonderful. However, they’re also primarily outdoors.
Even the wait for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run starts outside and fails to protect you from the elements during whipping rain.
Photo: Matt Stroshane
Meanwhile, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance requires guests to walk outside during parts of the actual attraction experience.
The wait outside/ride inside aspect comes into play at other attractions like Twilight Zone Tower of Terror as well.
Photo: LA Times
Overall, Hollywood Studios provides tremendous fun even in the worst weather.
But there’s one park that’s better…
1) Magic Kingdom
Photo: Twitter/Global Results Communications
@globalresults
Why is Magic Kingdom the best park on a rainy day?
It’s a numbers game, really.
You’ll find more indoor attractions here than anywhere else, and most will appeal to all age groups.
Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World, and Space Mountain all combine indoor line queues with indoor rides.
Then, we have shows and other indoor experiences such as Mickey’s Philharmagic and Enchanted Tales with Belle.
Some outdoor rides, like Jungle Cruise and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, are off the table during a rainstorm, but even parts of Tom Sawyer Island will provide an unexpected amount of solace… except for the frenzied kids surrounding you.
Photo: Disney
Another fantastic aspect of Magic Kingdom is the park’s design, which means you’re never far away from a place that will allow you to sit down inside.
Finally, you’ll find countless stores and quick-service restaurants that will shelter you from the rain.
