Does Disney Springs Close When it Rains? | Explained
When you're visiting Disney Springs, rain is one of the few things that you can't control that can still impact your experience.
In this page, we will go over whether Disney Springs closes when it rains, what happens to the area when it rains, and the best things to do here when it rains.
Does Disney Springs Close When it Rains?
Disney Springs remains open when it rains, and if you're visiting during the summer months, you should expect rain every afternoon.
If it is a light shower, outdoor rides & shows will remain open but if the rain begins to pick up and/or thunderstorms are on the horizon, outdoor rides & shows will temporarily close.
Luckily, most of what Disney Springs offers is indoors such as shops, restaurants, a movie theatre, and the bowling alley.
The main experiences that are impacted (and may be temporarily paused) during thunderstorms are the hot air balloon ride, water tour & train ride.
We've visited Disney Springs many times during the rain, and until lightning and thunder made an appearance, the park continues to function almost exactly how it would when it's sunny.
The only difference is that visitors have umbrellas and ponchos on.
What to Do at Disney Springs During the Rain
Most visitors will quickly find shelter inside of shops to wait out the rain.
However, the best thing you can do at Disney springs during the rain is to grab a bite to eat at a restaurant.
There are dozens of delicious places to eat at Disney Springs, and it'll give you a chance to get off of your feet and enjoy a delicious meal and/or drink in the air conditioning, and away from the rain.
To ensure that you're not waiting in line during the rain showers, you'll want to make a reservation with a restaurant ahead of time.
In Florida during the summer, the afternoon rain showers usually happen around 1 pm - 4pm.
Scheduling your afternoon reservation near those times is your safest bet to timing the rain and replacing it with a meal.
Know About iPhone Rain Notifications
If you're visiting a theme park, especially on a day that there's a chance of rain, you'll want to enable rain notifications.
We use this at almost every theme park that we visit, and it also comes in extremely handy for Disney Springs.
It notifies us ahead of time when the rain is approaching, or when the rain is clearing up.
When we receive the notification that the rain is approaching, it gives us plenty of time to seek shelter, or find a shop/restaurant before the crowd does.
Rain is Stopping Notification
When we receive the notification that the rain is expected to clear up, we know that we can start heading outside very soon.
This small feature gives us a 'leg up' on everyone else on the park, as we're able to know what's going to happen a few minutes before everyone else.
Be Prepared For the Rain
If you're visiting any park in Florida, it's always a good idea to be prepared for the rain by bringing a poncho, an umbrella and/or a spare change of clothes.
Florida is notorious for having a severe thunderstorm at one minute, and 10 minutes, later the sun is back out and the storms are gone.
Nothing cuts a theme park experience short like having wet clothes, socks and shoes that won't dry.
Learn from our mistakes and be prepared.
Our Poncho Choice
Poncho's in particular are very cheap, and very worth it.
This unisex, lightweight reusable poncho has worked wonders over the years at dozens of theme parks.
Our Umbrella Choice
The most reliable umbrella that we've used over the years has been the Repel Umbrella.
The main reasons are that it's:
- Wind Resistant - Won't Bend or Fold During High Winds
- Portable - Easy to Put Away After Use
- Only Takes 1 Button to Open and Close
- Non Slip Grip Allows For an Easy Hold Even During Severe Storms
- Can Be Used For Both Men and Women
Many visitors are prepared for the rain when they come to the parks, but they forget about the wind.
Don't overlook the fact that there will be plenty of wind if there's rain.
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