3. Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Closed for Rain: Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Temple, Fantasmic!, Slinky Dog Dash
Closed for Lightning: Alien Swirling Saucers
This park has a number of indoor rides that will operate just fine in the rain, including Star Tours, The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Toy Story Midway Mania, and even the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (somewhat ironically, considering the lightning component of this attraction's storyline). Though anything involving a live performer outside will be cancelled due to inclement weather, most of this park’s attractions will still operate during the rain, and if you're really itching to see a show, both the Frozen Sing-a-Long as well as Voyage of the Little Mermaid shows will continue to be performed even if the weather gets nasty outside.
4. Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Closed for rain: Kali River Rapids, Maharajah Jungle Trek, Expedition Everest, The Boneyard, Discovery Island Trails, Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
Closed for Lightning: Kilimanjaro Safaris, Primeval Whirl, TriceraTop Spin, Flights of Wonder, Wildlife Express (depending on severity)
Though the Magic Kingdom closes over a dozen attractions when there's rain and lightning, if we look at the park which shuts down the biggest percentage of attractions overall when the weather turns sour, Disney’s Animal Kingdom wins hands down. The only attractions that are guaranteed to stay open when a thunderstorm rolls in are Na'Vi River Journey, Avatar - Flight of Passage, Festival of the Lion King, It’s Tough to be a Bug, Finding Nemo: The Musical and Dinosaur. If the rain isn’t too severe, the interior areas of Rafiki’s Planet Watch will stay open, but if wind gusts are really strong or lighting strikes are too close, the Wildlife Express won’t run, which means guests won’t be able to access this area.
Have you ever been to Walt Disney World during a severe storm? What was your experience like? Share your favorite bad weather stories (as well as any rainy day tips you'd care to share) in the comments below!
Comments
Went to Animal Kingdom with my now husband back in 09 we had lunch at the Rain Forrest Cafe. When we were done eating it was down pouring outside. The thing that sucked was we had fast passes for Everest. We wound up leaving and went to Disney Quest to try and dry off plus I have never been so we ended our day there.
ERRORS...
-Tomorrowland Speedway doesn't close for rain.
-The Barnstormer closes for lightning.
-Main Street Electrical Parade also closes for rain.
-Beauty and the Beast doesn't close for rain, only the back bleachers are not used.
-Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular will have an abbreviated show in the rain.
-None of the attractions at Disney's Animal Kingdom close for rain except Flights of Wonder and The Boneyard
-Safari will still operate in lightning.
Nearly any attractions can close and become a rain shelter if Guests refuse to leave and backup the exit. Meanwhile, very high winds or super low temperatures could also close some attractions but that is very very rare.
Kali? So they close the one ride in DAK that you purposely get wet on?
We went during a hurricane once. Main Street was a river! We also watched Illumination s during a tornado warning with Gale force winds! They still played the whole show, and no one was there watching the show!
We are here in DW on day one of our vacation, and Hermine just passed. Lots of rain and lightning but we aren't worried about it! A rainy day at Disney World is still a day at Disney World :)