Ultimate Guide for Tackling a Rainy Day at Epic Universe

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You check your weather app the day before your Epic Universe park day and the verdict is in…rain. While it might feel like a death sentence, rainy days at Epic Universe can still be totally fun, especially once you know what you can do while it rains.

From personal experience, I promise this park offers lots to do beyond rides that you’ll be entertained even if you have to avoid some rides due to inclement weather.

Once you finish reading this rainy day at Epic Universe guide, you’ll know exactly which rides close down during rain (and only if there’s lightning), which stay open no matter the weather, what to do besides rides, and practical tips for planning a rainy day, like what to bring (and not bring).

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Navigating Epic Universe in the Rain

Okay, you’ve done everything you can possibly do to avoid the rain, predict the rain, and plan for the rain…and yet, it’s still wet and things are closing down.

Here’s what to do (and what not to do) so you can still have an EPIC day (eye-roll, sorry). Because, yes it’s still possible to have a great day at Epic Universe even in the rain.

What Rides Close at Epic Universe When it Rains?

Unfortunately, 7 of the 11 rides close when it rains at Epic Universe. Particularly, they’re more worried about lightning than the actual water.

However, it is Florida after all, so oftentimes rain and lightning go hand in hand (i.e. more often than not).

It’s a safety thing. 

So, while I can hear you though the screen saying, “well, why did they make more than half the rides outdoors when designing this brand new park?” I’m with you, it feels kind of silly. Still, please remember the kid working the ride is not to blame. Take it up with the higher powers.

Anyway, rides that close if there’s threat of lightning are:

1. Mine-Cart Madness
2. Yoshi Adventure
3. Stardust Racers
4. Curse of the Werewolf
5. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
6. Dragon Racer Rally
7. Fyre Drill

If there’s no lightning, it’s possible all of these but Mine-Cart Madness may stay open, but in my experience rain without lightning in Florida is more rare than a cool day.

Which Epic Universe Attractions Stay Open in the Rain?

That leads us to which rides are open on a rainy day. Luckily, there are a few indoor rides that can stay open when it rains.

Those are:

1. Monsters Unchained
2. Battle at the Ministry
3. Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge
4. Constellation Carousel (outside but fully covered)

Plus, both shows continue operating. And, select character meet and greets stay open like Toothless and Friends because it’s under the cover of a roof. Others like Mario and Luigi take place in the center of Super Nintendo World, which is uncovered, so those will be unavailable.

When in doubt, ask a team member.

What to Do at Epic Universe in the Rain

Aside from the indoor rides, there are a number of things to do at Epic Universe when it rains and outdoor rides start closing down. 

1. Interact with the worlds

The real benefit to Epic Universe is just how interactive it is, especially Super Nintendo World and Wizarding Paris.

Even in the rain, you can still complete the mini games around Super Nintendo World with a Power Up band. Ask for a map from any shop and it will show you where you can find the mini games where you win keys. Once you win 3, you can battle Bowser Jr. in another cooperative game.

Sure, most of the mini games are outside, but if you’re aptly dressed, they don’t close the games because of rain. Grab that poncho, wear your athletic sandals, and get to gaming.

Similarly, in Wizarding Paris, you can use an interactive wand to do lots of spells throughout the world. Ask for a map from Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique shop to see all the locations.

And be sure to speak with a team member, so they can show you the hidden locations. You might even find a niffler or demiguise!

2. See a show

There are two spectacular shows at Epic Universe, The Untrainable Dragon in Berk or Le Cirque Arcanus in Wizarding Paris. Both stay open when it rains.

While they’re both family-friendly and easy to follow, The Untrainable Dragon is more suited for young kids. Le Cirque Arcanus is a bit dark – not scary or hard-to-follow, but deals with the ethics of captive fantastic beasts.

You can check the showtimes on the Universal app. The shows have staggered showtimes from each other, so you can easily go from one to the other. 

This is a great strategy, if you need to kill time during a prolonged period of rain.

The shows also have pretty large capacities, so even if the crowds are rushing the shows, there’s lots of room. They last about 45 minutes from the time you enter until you exit. The shows are about 20 minutes but the pre-show and filing into and out of the theatres take time.

3. Ride the indoor rides

Don’t sleep on the indoor rides. Sure, crowds might be flocking to them, but that’s because they’re just as fun as the outdoor rides.

Not to mention that waiting inside for a ride let’s you stay dry and cool, since the queues are all air conditioned! A savior in the summer, especially, even if it rains.

Monsters Unchained is my favorite! It tells the story of Victoria Frankenstein who is trying to control the Universal Monsters. Obviously…things, don’t go as planned.

Don’t miss Constellation Carousel, which is best at night when it’s lit up, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, a slower augmented reality ride, and Battle at the Ministry, which tells the story of Delores Umbridge’s trial post-Deathly Hallows canon. Battle at the Ministry is a combination of motion simulation and real-life sets, all from a ride car almost identical to Tower of Terror/Guardians of the Galaxy (although this one is not a freefall ride like those at all).

4. Slow down at a restaurant

The dining at Epic Universe is easily my favorite of all the Universal parks. There’s so much variety and it’s high quality food.

You can find everything from healthy, filling options like Meatlug’s Chicken Bowl from Spit Fyre Grill in Berk to addictive snacks like the Garlic Stake at Burning Blade Tavern to delish desserts like butterbeer crepes from Café l’Air de la Sirene.

I’ve also really enjoyed the restaurants in Celestial Park including Pizza Moon and Meteor Astropub. They’ve been less crowded in my experience than some of the restaurants inside the various portals.

Just a note that many of the restaurants (if not all) use the Universal app for ordering, so be sure to have it downloaded and I recommend playing around with the app’s navigation before you arrive, so you aren’t stressing day of.

Related read >> 33 Tried and True Tips for Epic Universe

5. Get a unique souvenir

I am typically not one for souvenirs. In fact, in all my years of going to Universal, the biggest souvenir I’ve ever gotten was a crossbody purse.

Then, Epic Universe came along with some franchises that I’m feral for and I’ve had trouble walking out of there souvenir-free.

All that to say, the shopping at Epic Universe is pretty dang good.

In the rain, browsing the shops is a great way to kill some time. While of course there’s the classic hodge podge of toys and such, there’s also a lot of high quality items that you’ll actually use on a day to day basis.

For example, I recently got a Toothless tote bag where his tail curves up and forms the handle 🥹.

The most unique souvenir you can get though? A custom painted postcard of your group.

At one of the covered, circular spots on the west side of the fountain in front of Helios, there are artists who will create hand-drawn and painted postcards of your group. They can also make beautiful paintings of your name where each letter is made up of Universal icons like How to Train Your Dragon dragons. 

My favorite is the postcard though! It costs $25 for one. They’ll take a photo of your group and you can pose however you want, then you come back before the booth closes to pick up your custom postcard!

So cute, so memorable, and so unique!

Epic Universe Rainy Day Strategy

Now, as far as strategy goes, when it rains at Epic Universe and over half the rides close down, naturally the crowds are forced to congregate in a few places: indoor rides, indoor shows, and restaurants.

Here’s what I recommend doing if rain is in your forecast. 

1. Check predicted rain times

Rain in Florida often comes in the late afternoon, when it’s hottest out, so if that’s the case, you have some time before the rain actually impacts your day.

2. Ride the outdoor rides first

First of all in planning your day’s strategy, knock out the outdoor rides ASAP. If you see that forecast of rain in the afternoon, but not the morning, first tackle the rides that might close later in the day.

3. When it’s actively raining

When it’s actually raining, the first thing I’d do is check ride wait times in the Universal app. If the indoor rides have low wait times and especially if you’re near one, hop in line for one of those.

If no wait times look manageable and you’re in the middle of Celestial Park, like “Where do I go? SOS.”

Opt for the next showtime, grab a bite to eat (or a drink), hit a shop that you’ve been eyeballing, or put on your rain gear and lock in to play with the interactive games in Super Nintendo World or spell locations in Wizarding Paris.

…basically my list from above.

Planning for Rain at Epic Universe

Best Time of Year to Avoid Rain at Universal

Dry season in Orlando is November through April (aka winter). If you’re looking to avoid the rain, this time period is your best chance.

In these months, the average number of rainy days is 4 or 5 per month.

I especially love January and February for visiting the Universal parks because it’s past the holidays, it doesn’t get too hot, and there’s some fun events happening in the other parks, like Mardi Gras in Universal Studios of Florida where there are themed food booths throughout the park.

When is it More Likely to Rain?

June through September are the rainy months in Orlando where there are 13 or 14 days of rain on average per month. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Florida receives 61% of its annual rainfall during this time (source here).

As for time, it’s more likely to rain during the hottest hours of the day in Orlando, which are from 4 – 6 pm, and overnight.

Obviously, if it rains overnight, you won’t face any issues. But, knowing the rain during the day more often comes in the late afternoon, you can plan accordingly.

That means knocking out the outdoor rides in the morning and saving the shows for the afternoon, for example.

Understanding Rain Predictions

Epic Universe handles rain predictions in a specific way. Primarily, they’re concerned with lightning, not just rain.

While only some outdoor rides close when it rains (primarily Mine-Cart Madness), ALL uncovered outdoor rides will close if there is a threat of lightning.

Water can be okay, but lightning is a big no-no for big metal tracks.

So, as you’re planning for rain, scanning your weather apps, and deciding what strategy to take, ensure your weather app is showing lightning, not just rain.

How to Switch Tickets in Case of Rain

When you’re purchasing theme park tickets, you’ll need to choose a date for visiting Epic Universe. That’s the date your ticket is valid for entry to the park.

However, if you’re looking at your 10-day weather prediction as you approach your trip and rain is inevitable, you may want to switch your ticket date.

To do so, you need to call the Guest Communications Center team at 407-363-8000, option 3.

Does Epic Universe Ever Close Because of Rain?

No, the park will always stay open, but certain attractions and features in the park will become unavailable.

Is There Compensation Available if Rain Ruins my Plans?

Because the park does stay open even if it rains, there’s no compensation entitled should it rain. That includes Express Passes or park tickets.

Best you can do is change your park ticket ahead of time, if you want to or are able to.

However, I’d stick it out most of the time because rain is so common in Florida, that often rain comes and goes no matter how much you plan.

Which Hotel is Attached to the Park?

If you’re booking your trip and are looking for a hotel that’s attached to the park, so you can escape the rain, Helios Grand Hotel is the only one attached to Epic Universe.

It has it’s own entrance to the park, so you can take shelter from the rain in your hotel room there if you need to.

Tips for Tackling Rainy Days at Epic Universe

What to Bring

• Ponchos – I know they’re kinda bulky when carrying them around and they aren’t fashion show worthy, but they really get the job done (I used to work at a sporting goods store and this brand is the best!)
• Athletic sandals – I’ve used Chaco’s in the past, but I highly recommend breaking them in ahead of time and make sure the straps are fitted correctly (ask me how I know…)
• UV umbrella – works great at blocking the sun and protecting against the rain (I used this one)
• Ziploc bags (or alternatively, plastic shopping bags from the shops in the park) – these can help keep your belongings dry
• Extra socks – if you do wear sneakers, extra (dry) socks can be a game changer once the rain stops
• Power Up Bands and Interactive Wands – you can buy these in the park, but if you have some already, don’t forget to pack them (and you can save money by buying them secondhand ahead of time)
• Patience – no one wants a rainy day, everyone can get irritable, so pack your patience and don’t take out the uncontrollable weather on team members or your fellow park-goers

What Not to Bring

• Cotton and jean clothes – you’ll want clothes that dry quickly and cotton or jeans are not it (opt for athletic wear or linen)
• Unnecessary items – carrying lots of things is already a nuisance in a theme park, but make it wet and it’s even more unbearable, so leave the unnecessary stuff in your hotel

Best Weather App for Predicting Rain

I’ve consulted Florida locals on this one, and the consensus is the MyRadar app. It has a great notification feature that lets you know when rain is coming, when lightning has struck in a certain radius, and is very accurate on timing.

I’ve used this app for months now including my trips to Universal, and it really is the most accurate!

Check the Weather App 10 Days in Advance

One thing I’ve learned as a travel creator is that everyone wants to know the weather months in advance to help guide their packing plan. However, while scientists can predict general monthly trends, if you want to know exactly what to pack, you really have to wait for the 10 day forecast.

Why 10 days, you’re wondering? Because that’s the limit of accurate prediction models. If you start looking farther out than 10 days, you start to lose accuracy. That’s because our prediction models need to be improved, which requires more data collection, more computing power, and better techniques. Science, baby!

All this to say, once you hit 10 days in advance of your Epic Universe trip, start looking at those 10-day forecasts. Check frequently and let that guide your packing.

Overall, when in Florida, I suggest packing basic rain gear even if it’s not in the forecast. Weather is fickle.

Where to Buy Rain Gear in the Park

You can find rain gear pretty much everywhere in the park. Umbrellas and ponchos are found at the major shops and at some merchandise booths.

If you need gear and rain isn’t predicted until later in the day, I’d get your gear early on, so you’re not rushing with everyone else into the closest shop to clean them out of ponchos.

And a note that some shops don’t put ponchos on display, but they have them behind the cashier’s counter, so ask a team member.

Best Spots to Wait Out the Rain

If you’re looking for sheltered areas, I have a few recommendations.

First, find a themed restaurant. My favorites are:

• Das Steakhouse, which is delightfully creepy (Dark Universe)
• Burning Blade Tavern, which has great drinks and is standing room mostly (Dark Universe)
• Le Gobelet Noir, which I’m convinced no one knows about because it’s always empty (Wizarding Paris)
• Mead Hall, which makes you feel like you’re meeting to discuss an attack strategy against Drago Bludvist (Berk)
• Pizza Moon, themed after “A Trip to the Moon” by Méliès (Celestial Park)

Aside from restaurants, you can take shelter inside the Ministry of Magic (enter via the Single Rider / Viewing Area line), select mini games in Super Nintendo World like Frosted Glacier upstairs, and some circular covered areas that border the fountains in Celestial Park.

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I hope this has given you confidence in navigating a rainy day at Epic Universe! Don’t let inclement weather dampen your epic day!

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