What to Do When it Rains at Disneyland? Enjoy Disneyland in the Rain! (2024)

Visiting Disneyland in the rain is one of the best decisions you can make to have a less crowded day in the park. On one of the best days we ever had at Disneyland, it rained in the morning and then got sunny in the afternoon.

When it rains at Disneyland, the crowds tend to be low…and that's just how I like them! The rain at Disneyland last year was particularly harsh with more rainy and cold days at Disneyland than in recent memory. That said, you can still always have a great time playing in the rain at the parks. This year the wet weather is picking up again in 2024. The below tips all remain largely the same but have been updated for a couple of instances where park offerings have changed.

Below find some tips for visiting Disneyland in the rain! Find out what to do when it rains at Disneyland, advice on what to wear when it's raining in Disneyland, and where to eat in Disneyland inside.

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How to Dress For Disneyland In the Rain

First of all, be sure to check the forecast. Even though it is rainy, the park may not necessarily be cold. Often when it is raining at Disneyland, I choose to wear shorts because it is still hot out and that way no cloth will be exposed below my poncho.

That leads perfectly to my next point! Make sure that you bring a poncho for visiting Disneyland in the rain! Don't bother with a raincoat or umbrella. Ponchos will be able to easily cover your entire body and any bag that you are carrying without adding extra mass that you have to worry about carrying around when the rain stops or you go inside. Make sure that you bring your own poncho to Disneyland because buying them on Amazon costs a lot less than buying them in the parks.

View our guide to the best Hidden Mickeys at Disneyland.

Make sure that you have a good selection of shoes. The best case scenario is to pick shoes that are water resistant or even boots so that you aren't walking around in sponges all day. My only concern with this is that you will end up with shoes that are waterproof, but not comfortable to walk in all day. You can read more about what to wear to Disneyland and what to pack for our Disneyland here. We also break down the best shoes for Disney here.

You can rent a locker at the resort to store dry clothes if your Disneyland hotel is too far away.

Top 10 What to Do When it Rains at Disneyland Ideas

Below we have grouped attractions, experiences, and dining options into themes and areas for you plan a better Disneyland trip when it is raining.

Take the Disneyland rainy day to enjoy things that you wouldn't usually do.

Main Street Attractions and Shops

There are a few attractions on Main Street that are great to explore when the weather is cold or wet. Main Street Cinema plays several old time Mickey Mouse movies that you can sit inside on the floor and watch. The Disneyland Story and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is located as you enter Disneyland. The Disneyland Story includes an impressive collection of Disney artifacts and memorabilia as well as a video and pictures.

Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln uses Audio-Animatronics technology in a beautiful theatre to present this great President’s legacy. Additionally, there are several shops on Main Street where you can browse the merchandise and avoid the weather.

The Disney Gallery

On Main Street, you’ll find art exhibits that rotate by season, centering around the artwork of Disney Imagineers. To celebrate Disney’s anniversary, there is a special Disney100 gallery on display right now: Disney 100 Years of Wonder.

This exhibit—the biggest that has ever been at the gallery—features models and concepts artwork, and it explores attractions that have inspired films (Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more) and the films that have inspired attractions. The gallery takes guests back in time to the early days of Disney, shows them how Imagineers take a 2D concept and turn it into 3D, and features concept art, models, and more.

This is a great place to stay dry and learn about both Disney Park and California Adventure’s incredible legacy. It will be featured for the entire year, so make sure to check it out!

New Orleans Square Options to Stay Dry

New Orleans Square offers two indoor rides where you an escape the Disneyland rain. The Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion are guest favorites and include a nice dry place to sit. The New Orleans shops are also great for staying dry. Here you can browse in shops such as Cristal d'Orleans, Pieces of Eight, La Mascarade d'Orleans, and Eudora’s Chic Boutique Featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets. You should check out the recently added detail in Eudora's Chic Boutique that calls back to the real life New Orleans roots.

For dining, the Blue Bayou is an excellent indoor restaurant with a view of Pirates of the Caribbean, and Café Orleans also provides indoor options with delicious food. The French Market Restaurant is currently in the process of being reimagined into Tiana's Palace Restaurant as part of a larger re-theming of the area to Princess and the Frog, so it is not currently available for dining but will reopen later in the year. Splash Mountain is currently being rethemed and will become the new Tiana's Bayou Adventure attraction. We have all the details on when this new version of Splash Mountain will likely reopen.

Stay Dry in Disneyland's Tomorrowland

Space Mountain, Star Tours – The Adventure Continues, and Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters are all indoor rides you can enjoy in any kind of weather.

Disneyland in the Rain Ideas, Fantasyland

There are several rides in Fanstasy Land that are indoor, including It’s a Small World, Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and Peter Pan’s Flight.

Disneyland in the Rain, Adventureland Options

Inside the Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room, you can watch a 15-minute colorful, musical show that showcases the Pacific Islands. This theatre-in-the-round includes exotic birds, tikis and plants that sing. Be sure to stop at the Tiki Juice Bar before you go into the show. You can purchase a Dole Whip soft serve, Dole Whip Float, pineapple spear, or Dole pineapple juice. The Dole Whip Float is a crowd favorite and there won't likely be the typical line for the sweet treat on a Disneyland rain day!

Indiana Jones Adventure is an indoor, thrill ride where you take part in The Legend of the Temple of the Forbidden Eye.

Disney Animation Building

Located in Hollywood Land in Disney’s California Adventure, the Disney Animation Building houses a few indoor attractions to escape the weather. At the Animation Academy you can draw a different Disney character every 30 minutes with a Disney artist. At Turtle Talk with Crush you can chat live with this tubular Finding Nemo character. You can find one of our favorite free souvenirs located inside the Disney Animation Building. It's a perfect rainy day activity.

The Animation Courtyard is a great place to relax on couches and carpet while watching video clips and stills from many of your favorite Disney movies. You can walk down the ramp to the Sorcerer's Workshop where you can explore the Magic Mirror Realm and create your own animated artwork. You can also meet the Frozen princesses at Anna and Elsa's Royal Welcome. The Beast's Library space that was previously available here is now closed.

Escape the Rain With Short Films

The Sunset Showcase Theatre in Hollywood Land in Disney’s California Adventure features Mickey's PhilharMagic, a musical 3D film featuring Donald Duck. This short film is a perfect opportunity to catch a break from the rain and stay dry!

Disneyland in the Rain–Indoor Dining

When the weather outside is frightful, dining inside is delightful! Indoor restaurants in Disneyland include Plaza Inn, Red Rose Tavern, River Belle Terrace, Blue Bayou, Golden Horseshoe, Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, Café Orleans, Alien Pizza Planet, and the Carnation Café. Indoor restaurants that are located in Disney’s California Adventure include Carthay Circle, Smokejumper's Grill, Lamplight Lounge, and Flo’s V8 Café. Additionally, there is a Starbucks in both parks and in Downtown Disney where you can sit inside and enjoy a hot drink. You can see all of our top best Disneyland restaurants here.

Disneyland Character Dining is also a fantastic way to still feel like you are in the middle of the Disney magic surrounded by characters without having to walk anywhere in the rain.

BONUS: Go All In On the Disneyland Rainy Day

You will inevitably already be wet from spending the day at Disneyland in the rain. Why not take full advantage of this? Grizzly River Rapids and Splash Mountain may not be your top choice on a regular day, but when you are already soaked it's the perfect time to enjoy these awesome attractions. My record is riding Grizzly River Rapids five times in a row without getting off while it was pouring rain. (We were staying at the Grand Californian Hotel, which made it even easier to run back to the hot shower afterwards.

I highly recommend that when visiting Disneyland in the rain that you make a dining reservation so that you have a guaranteed spot to escape to.

BONUS Take Fun Disneyland Nighttime Photos

Even for an amateur photographer, rain at Disneyland creates a beautiful opportunity for taking stunning reflective photos. The water pools created on the ground throughout the park beautifully reflect up the lights on structures throughout the park.

On rainy days especially, the parks will clear out at the end of the night. These Disneyland rainy days make for a great opportunity to go on a photo safari. I love capturing the twinkling popcorn lights on Main Street U.S.A., but there is also lots of opportunity in other parts of the parks for photos. The Christmas at Disneyland also adds even more lights to brighten up a nighttime photo.

Frequently Asked Disneyland in the Rain Questions

What rides close at Disneyland when it rains?

Many of the attractions that involve going outside along tracks or along slippery surfaces close while it is raining at Disneyland. All outdoor attractions close when lightning is visible in the area.

Inside Disneyland Park, Alice in Wonderland, Mad Tea Party, Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer's Island, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Main Street Vehicles, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, and Chip ‘n' Dale's GADGETcoaster all typically close down due to rain.

In Disney California Adventure park,Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, The Redwood Creek Challenge trail, Golden Zephyr, and Silly Symphony Swings all typically close down due to rain at Disneyland.

All of the parades are cancelled or abridged depending on the severity of the storm. Fireworks are sometimes cancelled, but can sometimes be shown if it is just rainy and not windy.

Can you get a Disneyland rain refund?

Disneyland's official policy is that all tickets are non-refundable, as we mention in our guide to finding discount Disneyland tickets, however Guest Relations does have the ability to give refunds on a case-by-case basis. Getting a Disneyland ticket refund due to rain alone is not likely, but if you feel that you deserve a refund it does not hurt to ask at the Disneyland City Hall or Chamber of Commerce.

How much are rain ponchos at Disneyland?

Disneyland rain ponchos are $10 for adult ponchos and $9 for child ponchos. They also sell small umbrellas for $15.

How often does it rain in Disneyland?

Disneyland can be rather wet during the early months of the year with January, February, and early March being the main time periods for rain. As mentioned on our when to visit Disneyland calendar, this can make for much lower crowds. If you check on the weather report a few days before your Disneyland vacation, you will get the best information on if it will rain at Disneyland.