Come on with the Rain

Schools are back in session, but that doesn’t mean that summer is totally gone. We can still expect thunderstorms and, in the case of Walt Disney World and the rest of central Florida, you can practically set your watch by them. With the thought of afternoon thunder-boomers, as my mother is so fond of calling them, let’s go through the top seven attractions to explore during a thunderstorm!

                                                                  

Finding Nemo – The Musical

This could really be talked about for any stage or movie production in Walt Disney World. The American Adventure, Impressions de France, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, MuppetVision 3D, The Country Bear Jamboree and the list goes on. What truly makes Finding Nemo – The Musical the stage production to get caught in during the rain is the fact that it takes place under water. So those claps of thunder or pattering of rain plays right into the theme of the show.

Universe of Energy

This could have fallen under our previous entry, but there is something special about the Universe of Energy and Ellen’s Energy Adventure. Time. Topping out at a whopping 45 minutes, catching the show at the right time may mean that you miss the thunderstorm entirely and exit out into a soaking wet, yet sunny, Epcot. Universe of Energy would also likely show up on a list of attractions to take naps in, but that’s a list for another day.

The Great Movie Ride

Disney’s Hollywood Studios does not have a lot of options when it comes to staying dry and entertained for more than a few minutes. However, the grandest attraction in the park is certainly worth your time, especially if it’s raining. Even if the queue is rather large, that is all the better. You’re not getting thrown back out into the elements, and you may actually have some time to admire the artifacts presented in the lobby queue. Plus, did we mention, there is a scene about Singin’ in the Rain?

it’s a small world

it’s a small world may have an infectious earworm of a theme song, but staying dry in the Magic Kingdom can be a real chore. Taking a ride aboard it’s a small world is sure to bring a smile to your face and be the happiest 8 and a half minutes you’ve ever spent in a thunderstorm. Plus it’s almost always sunny inside it’s a small world! Of course, if you find yourself away from Fantasyland and in the need of something a bit more in tune with the weather, may we recommend Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland?

Living With the Land

Taking a page from the attractions previous incarnation, Listen to the Land, the rain must fall. Living With the Land not only allows you to see the plants growing in the greenhouses, but also the vital rains that all living things need dancing off of the domes. Plus, The Land pavilion has plenty of other enticing attractions, not the least of which is a nice warm meal out of the elements.

Haunted Mansion

This is all about the theme, isn’t it? A spooky mansion with a storm outside is always brewing inside The Haunted Mansion. Yet, if you can catch this ride during a thunderstorm, or better yet a nighttime thunderstorm, and you have the perfect blending of storytelling and Mother Nature to give you one heck of a fright!

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

I’ll be honest with you, I’ve never had the joys of catching this one during a thunderstorm. In fact, I had to do some checking to make sure it would even run during a storm. Turns out the Tower of Terror will run during a storm because the attraction itself is not fully exposed to conditions that could impair the attractions ability to function. Stormy weather in the library, plus stormy weather during your own perilous plunge, yep, that’s the pinnacle of thunderstorm entertainment! A word of caution, the queue does spend a good amount of time outside, so plan accordingly.