The deluge

Rain.

That one simple four letter word can strike terror into the heart of many a vacationer within Walt Disney World. After all, in Florida, rain generally means thunder and lightning. Rain in and around Walt Disney World means that Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are calling everyone out of the water, Dumbo, Splash Mountain, and a plethora of other attractions are not operating, and it means that just about every guest in the parks are going to be cramming under whatever cover they can find. If you happen to be at your resort, your pool is not going to be open and everyone is filing into the arcade. Should I go on?

Prepared guests come equipped with rain slickers and ponchos and rainy day plans. They find the nearest film (such as Mickey’s PhilharMagic) or production (The American Adventure) or make their way towards shopping districts within the parks, resorts, or Downtown Disney. They have cards and board games, books and puzzles. They are willing to create and have fun no matter what the elements throw at them.

Then there are people like myself. People who, for whatever reason, cannot get enough of the rain. Speaking on my own behalf, it probably has to do with the fact that I grew up with thunderstorms and since having moved away, have begun to miss them terribly. We’re the type who runs around with a poncho on solely to protect our cameras and other gear that is not rain-compatible. He keep our hoods off and splash around in puddles drenching our pants/shorts, socks, and shoes and have a terrific time doing it as we make our way from Adventureland to Tomorrowland. This lifestyle is, of course, not suitable for everyone and can most certainly end in a rough case of the sniffles.

The point is, the skies may be grey and fat with rain, but that doesn’t have to mean doom and gloom for your time in Walt Disney World. Make sure you are prepared clothing-wise with a poncho and back-up pair of sneakers in case your primary pair doesn’t dry out overnight. Create a plan of attack for the parks or resort that you can implement if the rain does come your way. But do not let it stop you from enjoying yourself and your loved ones. You can already prepare for warm or cold weather depending on what time of year you are planning on visiting, now, all you have to start doing is preparing, mentally, for wet weather. Because, let’s just be honest here, it is Florida, rain does happen.