Disneyland Rainy Day Tips & Tricks
- Lynette Brown
- Feb 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 4
Yes, it rains in the happiest place on earth!
The average temperature in Anaheim is beautiful! Usually not too hot and not too cold, but rain does happen. My family prefers to go to Disneyland in January and February because the crowds are usually lower, but that also means there is a higher chance of rain. Don’t let rain get in the way of a magical Disneyland vacation; the rainy days have been some of our best days at Disneyland!
The weather can change in a matter of minutes in Anaheim. If there is rain, don’t leave the park! These 2 pictures were taken on the same day, just a couple of hours apart.
What to wear and what to bring:
Ponchos: They are less expensive to bring from home, but they are sold throughout the parks. The ones from the parks are good quality with the Disney logo on the back. We bought ours on our first rainy trip to Disneyland, and now we bring them each time we visit. Also, by bringing a poncho, there is no need for an umbrella!
Multiple pairs of shoes: Rainboots would be best, but sometimes those can be uncomfortable. When packing footwear, remember you will be doing a lot of walking even if it’s raining. We usually bring two pairs of tennis shoes. We use the hair dryer in the hotel to dry out one pair while we wear the other.
Jackets with hoods: We usually go in January and February, which are colder months. We like having the warmth of a winter jacket with a hood. You can also do rain coats, but some are not warm enough. Double-check the weather forecast. Sometimes rain will be predicted, but still have relatively mild temperatures.
Hat: It helps keep your head dry, and if your hair does get wet, you can hide it a little bit!
Layers & a backpack: The weather can change dramatically in the same day. You will want to be able to take off those ponchos and jackets and have a place to put them.
Reasons why I love Disneyland in the rain:
Even in wet weather, Disney Characters are still out and engaging with guests.
Now is the perfect opportunity to ride the water rides; you are already wet! The ponchos really come in handy, for example, on Tiana's Bayou Adventure!
The crowds are much lower when it is raining. A lot of the crowds in Disneyland are from local residents, and they tend to stay home when rain is in the forecast.
Don’t forget: you can still ride the rides and enjoy ice cream even in the rain!
Disneyland and California Adventure rides, attractions and dining you can enjoy to escape the rain by land:
Disneyland Park
Main Street, U.S.A.:
The Opera House, which is home to The Disneyland Story, Presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and the Disney Gallery
Shopping stores that lines main street: most of the shops connect, allowing you to walk inside from one end to the other
Indoor restaurants: Plaza Inn and the Carnation Café
Adventureland:
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
New Orleans Square:
Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, both of the queues for these rides are outside, but they move fast, and the rides are all inside
Indoor restaurants: Blue Bayou and Café Orleans
Frontierland:
Golden Horseshoe Saloon (performance)
Indoor restaurants: Golden Horseshoe
Bayou Country:
Tiana's Bayou Adventure (wear your poncho)
Fantasyland:
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-through
Fantasy Faire (live stage show)
Peter Pan’s Flight, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Snow White’s Scary Adventure, and Pinocchio’s Daring Journey all have covers over most of the queues, the rides are indoors, and it is a quick dash from one to the next.
Indoor restaurants: Red Rose Tavern
Mickey’s Toontown:
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
Minnie’s House
Mickey's House and Meet Mickey
Tomorrowland:
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Indoor restaurants: Alien Pizza Planet
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge:
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Indoor restaurants: Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo and Oga's Cantina. Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities: While not a restaurant, this shop is a great place to get out of the rain to browse merchandise. And the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace is partially covered, providing some relief from light rain while exploring.
Rides that usually close in the rain: Alice in Wonderland, Mad Tea Party, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, and Gadget’s Go Coaster, Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, Autopia (sometimes), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (in heavy rain/lightning), Parades, and Fireworks.
California Adventure Park
Buena Vista Street:
All of the shops down Buena Vista Street (most connect)
Indoor restaurants: Carthay Circle Restaurant, Fiddler and Fifer & Practical Café (the place to get Starbucks )
Avengers Campus
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
Pym Test Kitchen: eating is outdoors, but there is cover nearby
Cars Land:
Radiator Springs Racers: generally operates in light rain, but it may close temporarily during heavy rain or lightning
Indoor restaurants: Flo’s V8 Cafe
Hollywood Land:
Disney Animation (Animation Academy, Sorcerer’s Workshops, Turtle Talk with Crush)
Grizzle Peak:
Grizzle River Run (you’re already wet! Wear your poncho)
Soarin’ Around the World
Indoor restaurants: Smokejumpers Grill
San Fransokyo Square:
The Bakery Tour, hosted by Boudin Bakery
Outdoor Seating (but covered): Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
Pixar Pier:
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Indoor restaurants: Lamplight Lounge
Paradise Gardens Park:
The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
Indoor restaurants: Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta
Rides, attractions that may close during the rain: Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, Silly Symphony Swings, Golden Zephyr, Goofy's Sky School, Jumpin' Jellyfish, Parades, and Fireworks.
Last but not least, make sure to bring a positive attitude! You can and will have the most magical Disneyland vacation, even in the rain. Just make sure to be prepared!
Happy Travels!
Lynette
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