Local’s Guide to What to Do at Disneyland in the Rain
Disneyland is located in sunny Anaheim, California, aka the Golden State, but let’s be honest, it can’t be golden all the time. I was born and raised in Los Angeles and sure, the city sees more sunny days than rainy ones, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
In fact, when it rains, it can really pour. If you find yourself at Disneyland on a rainy day, fear not. There’s actually so much to do so you can still have a magical day at the happiest place on Earth.
I grew up going to Disneyland and have been back numerous times in my adult life including the most recent time when there was a torrential downpour! So I promise, I know exactly what you can and cannot do at Disneyland in the rain including rides, shows, and hidden gems to sneak away from the outside weather.
Get Started
🛏️ Where to stay:
- Off property: Howard Johnson ($215+ per night) — This fan favorite is within walking distance to the parks and is perfect for families with a water playground.
- On property: Disney’s Grand Californian and Spa ($600+ per night) — A once-in-a-lifetime type splurge but the most beautiful property that comes with all the Disney stay perks
🎢 Best vacation package ($870) — comes with 3 night Howard Johnson stay and 2-day park tickets
Map of Where to Spend Rainy Days at Disneyland
Rainy Day Guide to Disneyland
Before I get into all the nitty gritty, allow me to tell you that I made a free downloadable version of this guide. That way you can easily access all the details for one less thing to worry about if the weather turns gross.
Just tell me where to send it.
Best Disneyland Rides During the Rain
Disneyland has a lot of rides (in comparison to California Adventure) and that works really well in our favor here on rainy days, especially because of the number of indoor rides.
Rides that close in the rain
First let’s chat about what you can’t go on because of the rain. It might be different than you think.
According to the park, these rides will close due to rain:
- Alice in Wonderland
- Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
- Chip n Dale’s GADGETCoaster
- The Mad Tea Party
- Main Street Vehicles
- Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
- Storybook Land Canal Boats
Missing on that list are a couple notable outdoor rides or partially outdoor rides including Astro Orbiter, Autopia, Big Thunder Mountain, Disneyland Railroad, Dumbo, Jungle Cruise, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. These close when lightning is present or if rain is heavy enough.
The best way to stay informed on ride closures is with the Disneyland app because it updates in real time.
So which rides are open when it rains?
Everything else! That includes everything from Space Mountain to Haunted Mansion to Rise of the Resistance and beyond.
The biggest challenge with the rain and ride closures is that now everyone is limited to those particular rides that are open making them prone to longer wait times.
However, in general, rainy days at Disneyland see fewer crowds overall and significantly lower wait times than days with ideal weather.
If wait times are high for the big hitters, I would do during these underrated rides instead: Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (especially at night when the family crowd thins out), Pinocchio, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Star Tours, Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
Shows to Experience During Rain at Disneyland
Performances and shows are another great way to spend your time when rainy weather strikes.
For example, the Enchanted Tiki Room is an iconic indoor show with singing birds! It actually features a pseudo-storm so the actual rain will fit right in. Just don’t be fooled when the show makes the “sun” come out.
Storytelling at the Royal Theatre is another great show to see during the rain. It’s in a covered theatre and they tell/act out classic Disney stories live on stage.
One of my favorite performances come from the Dapper Dans, aka the barbershop quartet that sings Disney songs along Main Street U.S.A. In the rain, it’s possible they won’t perform, but they’ve also been seen performing inside the Main Street shops. So keep an eye ear out!
Hidden Gems to Do in the Rain at Disneyland
Disneyland has a ton of fun things to do that I’d consider hidden gems because people just don’t know they exist. Not to mention, when you only have a couple days to visit the theme parks, you spend most time crossing off your bucket list to ensure you aren’t missing anything important.
And as much as I like these hidden gems, they aren’t crucial to the Disney experience. However, they do make it more special and interactive, in my opinion.
If you find yourself stuck because of the rain, consider these attractions:
- Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough – You’ll find this walkthrough experience to the left of the castle as soon as you walk under the main gate and into Fantasyland with the carousel in front of you. It tells Sleeping Beauty’s story with layered animated windows.
- Star Wars Data Pad – This is not an indoor experience BUT it is a fun one that won’t be bogged down with crowds if you can tolerate being outside in the rain (ponchos, coats, and umbrellas are your friend). The Star Wars Data Pad is a way to interact with Galaxy’s Edge aka Batuu. Via the Disney Play app, you can translate signs, activate radio towers, and unlock doors to aid the resistance!
- Main Street Cinema – This is such a fun piece of Disney history because it used to be a functional theatre where Walt Disney showed classic movies. Now, you can go inside to catch iconic Mickey cartoons that play on a loop on the screens. It’s indoors, air conditioned, and has benches!
- Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln – While this one is closed for refurbishment in 2025, it is a good spot to keep in your back pocket if you’re visiting in 2026 or beyond. Abraham Lincoln tells his story and inside the building you’ll find lots of Disney memorabilia. They’re also adding an additional show that will play on rotation with Lincoln’s.
- Windows on Main Street – I LOVE these windows. Along Main Street, specifically the Emporium shop, you can peek inside the windows to see 3D models of scenes from Disney movies. They rotate and are always so cute!
Where to Eat if it Rains
Luckily, most restaurants have indoor spaces, so there’s really no where that you can’t dine during a rainy spell. Still, I’d clock the covered seating areas that are around if you plan to dine from carts.
For example, the corn dog cart just past Main Street on the right doesn’t have it’s own covered seating area, so you’d need to take your food and walk somewhere.
I like the covered seating area across from the Matterhorn, behind Edelweiss Snacks.
The covered dining areas for Hungry Bear Restaurant and Ronto Roasters are my other go-tos.
Just note that if the restaurant takes reservations, you can’t just stroll up to the seating area and dine there.
Aside from ensuring you’re covered, you might be wondering what the coziest food is.
There are lots of options, but here are some of my favorites:
- Tiana’s Palace for gumbo
- Warm cookies and soups in bread bowls from Harbour Galley
- Tacos from Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante
- Docking Bay 7 for the best vegetarian pasta and hot bao
- A hot churro from any cart!
What about parades, fireworks, shows, and character meet and greets in the rain?
Let’s take those one at a time.
Parades generally switch to the Rainy Day Cavalcade Parade, which is a specialized parade that’s safer for the cast members. If the rain is too heavy or there is lightning or other unsafe weather, it may be canceled altogether.
Per usual, check the Disney app for the most recent information or ask a cast member (kindly!).
Fireworks shows can operate in the rain if it’s light. Anything heavy or with lightning, will be canceled. It really depends on how the weather is at the time of the fireworks show. They don’t just cancel shows if rain is predicted to occur that evening. So be ready for either option depending on current conditions.
Outdoor shows like Fantastmic are canceled due to inclement weather.
Character meet and greets often still happen but it really depends on the location of that particular character experience.
For example, if they can move to an indoor or covered area, they will still be around. On Main Street you can find them at the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and I’ve seen princesses go to the Fantasyland Theatre by Toontown. Mickey and Minnie are often inside their homes in Toontown, as well.
FAQ’s for Planning a (Potentially) Rainy Disney Trip
What to bring on a rainy Disney day?
While you can purchase rain gear at Disneyland, I recommend packing a small bag (I like Loungefly) with the following:
- Ponchos – A theme park essential for rainy days. I’d go with ponchos in the summer to stay cool.
- Umbrellas – Of course, umbrellas can be helpful in dodging the rain, but be mindful of storing it once wet.
- Rain Jacket – If it’s winter and you want more warmth than a poncho provides, I’d go with a rain jacket. I love this Columbia one, especially for the zip and velcro features that protect the contents of my pockets.
- Good Shoes – Theme park shoes that are waterproof can be tough to find. I usually wear my Chacos if it’s summer or Thursday boots in the winter. But I’ve heard great things about Vessi shoes too, which are waterproof sneakers.
Does Disney offer any perks or compensation if it rains?
It probably comes as no surprise, but no. Disney doesn’t offer anything to guests due to inclement weather.
Come prepared on your own to have the best time! And please don’t take it out on the cast members, they just work there 🥺.
Can you change your ticket date if rain is predicted?
Yes, you can modify your theme park reservation date if you want to avoid potential rain. You need to make the change by 11:59 pm PST the night before your scheduled visit.
You can go into the app or online and click “Make or Modify Park Reservations” then select Modify to choose a new date.
Just note that Disneyland’s ticket prices reflect crowd levels, so if you change your park reservation to a date that costs more, you’ll have to pay the difference. And if it costs less, you do not get the difference in price as a refund – you eat that cost. So just proceed with caution.
How often does it rain in Anaheim?
In December through March, you’ll see 4-5 days of rain each month.
Occasionally, some years Southern California gets a phenomenon called El Niño, which is a cooler, wetter climate pattern. It can last for months and is more unpredictable. There isn’t one on the forecast for 2025 yet, but keep an eye on the news because they’ll report about it there!
When should I visit to avoid the rain?
Winter is the rainy season in Southern California, but late summer is dreadfully hot (and crowded at the parks).
I’d go in April, May, or October through mid-November. You can check Disneyland’s ticket calendar, too, to gauge their crowd predictions. The higher the price of the ticket, the more people they expect.
Planning a Disneyland trip? These will help:
My Travel Essentials
- Travel Insurance – Going on an international trip? Don’t forget travel and medical insurance with SafetyWing.
- Travel Card – If you’re new to travel hacking, fear not! My favorite card for beginners gives you $750 in rewards when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus lounge access, 10x points on hotel bookings, and free TSA pre-check!
- Get Your Guide – Check out Get Your Guide for a one-stop-shop for booking travel activities.
- Booking.com – This is my favorite hotel search aggregator, specifically for reading reviews. On Booking.com, the reviews can be searched for keywords like WiFi, breakfast, pool, amenities, etc.! So helpful!
- Anti-pickpocket bag – Worried about having your valuables swiped? PacSafe makes the best travel bags with zippers and straps that lock and with mesh steel enforced fabric.
- Give the Gift of Travel – This is the perfect gift for travelers in your life! Tinggly allows you to gift experiences around the world, perfect for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries.
- Staycation Idea – Check out Resort Pass, which gives you day passes to resorts so you can use their pool, spa, and fitness center, a great staycation idea!
Save to Pinterest
