WHEN WE THINK OF CALIFORNIA, SUN AND SAND COME TO MIND. BUT EVEN IN A PLACE AS MAGICAL AS DISNEYLAND, SOMETIMES THE RAIN MUST FALL! SO HOW DO YOU MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DAYS IN BAD WEATHER? SEE HOW WE PLAN TO MAKE THE MOST OF A RAINY DAY IN DISNEYLAND!
When you think of the Disneyland Resort, you probably picture a LOT of sunshine! California is on the hot west coast, and Los Angeles (or Anaheim in this case) is the city of the sun. If this is what you envision, it may come as a shock to you when you end up with a rainy day in Disneyland! Have no fear though, as we consider ourselves unofficial masters of what to do when it rains in Disneyland!
Before we share all of our secrets, we can let you in on a few weather-related trip-planning insights. The months that tend to get the most rain are usually mid-November to mid-March. If you are looking for a trip full of clear skies, we would suggest looking at April to October! However, if rain doesn’t deter you, this can work in your favour. The rain-filled months tend to have smaller crowds, and days with heavy rain are usually even smaller! If you are looking to book a trip right now, head on over to Expedia and start planning! For our Canadian friends, you can visit Expedia Canada.
You might want to make sure you have a few ponchos in your suitcase, no matter what season you travel. Short rainstorms can come out of nowhere and you don’t want to be soaked when you could be comfy under a foldable poncho! They take up little space in a suitcase and if the day dawns cloudy, toss one or two into your day bag!
And now for the list! We are going to take you through each land as there are many hidden things to do on a rainy day in Disneyland. Follow along for some awesome tips and tricks!
* Note – due to closures and renovations during this time, Toontown will not be included in this post.*
Main Street, USA
We are going to start with the heart of the magic, Main Street, USA! There are so many things to do on Main Street in the rain. You can hop on a train and take the grand circle tour! Take a wander through the Disney Gallery and visit Mr. Lincoln! Peruse the shops such as the Emporium or the newly opened Plaza Point! Main Street has a whole new charm on a rainy day, and it truly is a magical experience! Get an in-depth look at Main Street USA with our Ultimate Guide.
Tomorrowland
While it may seem like most of Tomorrowland is outdoors, the futuristic land has some pretty great rainy-day options! You may wish to visit a galaxy far, far away on Star Tours: The Adventure Continues, have an intergalactic adventure on Space Mountain or help defeat the evil Emperor Zurg on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. All three of these attractions are indoors, and their queues mostly are as well! You can also check out The Star Trader or the Little Green Men Store Command for all of your futuristic shopping needs.
Fantasyland
I’ll admit that Fantasyland doesn’t look appealing on a rainy day at first, BUT there is a ton to explore! Home to many of the Classic Attractions (check out our post on that here), Fantasyland holds many “dark” rides; these all take place indoors. Fly over London on Peter Pan’s Flight, go on a manic countryside drive on Mr. Toads Wild Ride, visit the puppet that becomes a real boy in Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, and follow a Disney princess on Snow White’s Enchanted Wish! (Take note that these attractions can be frightening for small children). After you ride the classic attractions, take a walk through the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough or take a cruise around the world on It’s a Small World! Fantasyland offers so many attractions on a rainy day, so I highly suggest you check it out!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
While there may only be two attractions in Galaxy’s Edge, they are not ones to miss. The Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run attraction has a mostly indoor queue, making it perfect for rainy days. Once you’re done riding, check out Savi’s Workshop where you can build your very own lightsaber, and you can also build your own droid at the Droid Depot! Galaxy’s Edge has so much to offer on a rainy day! Be sure to check ahead when planning your Disneyland vacation to confirm if you require reservations for these activities.
Critter Country
Visit the home of Christopher Robins’s friends on the indoor attraction The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh! When you are done riding, visit Pooh Corner for some sweets and treats! The Hungry Bear restaurant has a lot of covered seating, so grab a snack and wait out the rain in comfort! You might even spot the Disneyland Express steaming by, or some brave adventurers in canoes on the Rivers of America.
Many people will opt to ride Splash Mountain when it’s raining, simply because you’re going to get wet either way!
New Orleans Square
Wander the streets of New Orleans and discover so many indoor treasures! Browse shops such as Cristal d’Orleans to see wonderful works of art. Ride Pirates of the Caribbean to see if you can spot Captain Jack Sparrow. Visit the Haunted Mansion to dance with 999 happy haunts. Just remember to watch out – they are still looking for their 1000th! New Orleans offers so many rainy-day options, you just have to look for them.
Frontierland
Frontierland’s main draw for some may be Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I don’t disagree, but an old mine train is NOT where you want to be on a rainy day in Disneyland! Instead, head indoors for the food! Visit the Golden Horseshoe for good ole western grub AND a slice of history – the building dates back to the park’s grand opening day in 1955 and you can even sit in Walt Disney’s private box! This indoor restaurant is perfect for a rainy day. Once you finish your meal, head on over next door to the Pioneer Mercantile for all of your shopping needs! The covered wooden sidewalk is reminiscent of an old western town AND it will keep you dry!
Adventureland
Much of Adventureland is outdoors, but the queue for Jungle Cruise is pretty much fully covered. Get in line for this wild and wacky ride and keep dry, at least for now! Much of the queue for Indiana Jones Adventure is also indoors, so you could check that out as well. There is some covered seating right next to the Bengal Barbecue, so grab a snack and wait out the shower! While you may experience some thunder and lightning inside, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room will keep you warm and dry during the show.
So as you can see, there’s still so much to do on a rainy day in Disneyland. And just remember – even in the rain, you’re still in Disneyland!
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