Any day is a good day to be at Disneyland Resort. But, visiting Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park on a rainy day might require a bit more planning. We share some quick tips and general advice for staying comfortable while visiting Disneyland in the rain.
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When Does It Rain at Disneyland?
We like to be prepared for anything when we visit the parks of Disneyland Resort, so we usually stash some pocket ponchos in our bags “just in case”. However, we take extra measures to prepare for precipitation if we are visiting Disneyland Resort in the winter months.
The “rainy season” at Disneyland is during the colder months (late fall through winter) with precipitation (on average) peaking in February. “Rainy season” is relative: this is Southern California and not the Pacific Northwest, but even a little rain can make for an uncomfortable day if you are not prepared. You, dear reader, are the kind of Disney visitor we assume likes to be prepared: that is why you are here after all. So, here are some quick pointers for staying comfortable on a rainy day at Disneyland.
Wear Quick Dry Clothing Underneath
No matter when we visit, we like to wear breathable quick-drying clothing to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Soaked and heavy denim is uncomfortable whether it is from a rainstorm or a water ride, but we think moisture-wicking or quick-drying clothing is especially important in wet weather.
We choose to wear clothing that can dry quickly, and, for us, this means choosing performance fabrics like you might find in athletic or outdoor clothing. We have an article about that here: What to Wear to Disneyland: Part I, Base Layers.
Layer Waterproof Gear on Top
Over those quick-drying base layers, we protect ourselves with waterproof gear. Depending on the day, this might include ponchos, rain pants, or our favorite rain coats. We generally skip umbrellas, as we find them to be tricky to maneuver in the large crowds we often encounter at Disneyland, but they are an option. Here are some of our top choices for rain gear:
Raincoats for Disneyland
A great rain jacket like this one
Or one designed for women like this one
Here is one for kids.
We like pairing these jackets with an insulated vest for cooler days. Here are two options we like: this one or this one. (No, Columbia does not sponsor us. We just really like their gear.)
Rain Pants for Disneyland
We have these pants at home. They work like a waterproof “shell” over regular pants
Here is a version designed for men.
Choose Water Shoes Carefully
Wet feet are kind of miserable and a quick route to blisters. We have two approaches to dealing with wet shoes at Disneyland Resort.
If the weather prediction is for relatively warm temperatures, we might just wear water shoes like our favorite Keen sandals (see links below). Yes, our feet will get wet, but our shoes should dry relatively quickly and will not be rubbing our feet in the same uncomfortable way as wet socks.
Here are the water sandals we buy for our kids every summer. Keen makes an adult version here, but we also like this classic model for more cushioning.
On the other hand, if temperatures are low, we may opt for waterproof shoes instead. Some people prefer rain boots (wellies, galoshes, etc), but we are more comfortable wearing waterproof hiking boots or shoes. We just find them more comfortable during a long day trekking around the parks.
You know what works for you: just be sure to test out the shoes in wet conditions before your visit. You can find general advice about what shoes to wear to Disneyland here: What to Wear to Disneyland: Part 3, Shoes
Stash a Change of Clothes for a Rainy Day at Disneyland
If you are going to be visiting Disneyland Resort on a truly rainy day, you may want to consider bringing a change of clothes and shoes with you. No matter how carefully you dress, some moisture may make its way through your defenses: it is good to have a back-up plan.
You have a few options for where you store this dry outfit. You can:
- Rent a locker. Lockers are available for rent in the entrance lands for both parks at Disneyland as well as on the Esplanade. You can stash your back-up clothes in a locker and visit as need.
- Stay at a hotel (very) near Disneyland. If you would rather change into your dry clothing back at your hotel, you may as well keep your clothing there. To make this as simple as possible, you can pick a hotel within easy walking distance of the parks. Take a look at the hotels on Harbor Boulevard or the Disneyland Resort Hotels.
- Finally, you can place your extra clothes inside a waterproof bag and place the bag in your backpack or stroller.
If you think you may be going through two outfits per park day, be sure to take this into account while you are packing for your trip. Of course, you can also just do laundry while you are visiting Disneyland Resort. We have a whole post about that here: We Do Laundry At Disneyland, Here’s How We Make it Easy. No matter what, we recommend packing extra shoes. Wet sneakers from day one may not dry in time for day two in the parks: pack extra shoes and socks!
Protect Your Gear Too (Do Not Forget the Stroller!)
In addition to keeping yourself dry, you will want to waterproof your gear too. Consider how you will want to protect your mobile devices, diaper bag, backpack, snacks or stroller.
Some hiking backpacks or bags come with waterproof covers: or you can purchase them separately. We like bringing a variety of waterproof bags into the parks to enclose items inside our backpacks and even cover the backpacks themselves. Depending on the size of your raincoat, you may be able to keep your bag inside your coat or jacket while you are wearing it. Ponchos are especially nice for wearing over both yourself and your bags.
Here is a poncho we use when visiting Disneyland. It has the benefit of folding down to pocket size! However, be aware that cast members will probably instruct you to remove your poncho before entering an attraction.
If you have a stroller, you will want to bring something to protect that stroller! Strollers are not allowed inside most buildings in the Disney parks, and much of the stroller parking in uncovered. You can cover your stroller with a purpose built stroller cover accessory or just bring a large plastic sheet or waterproof blanket. Whatever you do, do not forget about that stroller!
Enjoy Visiting Disneyland in the Rain!
Our favorite tip for visiting Disneyland Resort on a rainy day is: enjoy it! You will get to see the parks glistening in a whole new way, and the water might drive away some other guests and keep crowds lower. Some attractions might be momentarily closed or modified, but there will still be plenty to do.
Embrace Indoor Food and Fun
You may wish to prioritize long indoor attractions. Some good options include “it’s a small world,” The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Main Street Cinema and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland Park. In Disney California Adventure Park, the Animation Building provides a lovely break from wet weather, and there is also Mickey’s PhilharMagic and any shows at the Hyperion Theater.
You can take a break from the rain and refuel at the same time with covered or indoor dining. Indoor restaurants that do not require reservations are Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, The Golden Horseshoe, Plaza Inn (lunch and dinner only) and Red Rose Taverne in Disneyland Park. Disney California Adventure Park has Flo’s V8 Cafe, Smokejumpers Grill and Fiddler, Fife and Practical Cafe.
If you can snag an advance dining reservation or manage to join a walk-up list, you can also consider somewhere like Lamplight Lounge or the Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure Park. Disneyland Park has Blue Bayou Restaurant, Cafe Orleans, and Carnation Cafe. Plaza Inn takes reservations at breakfast only for their character dining meal; lunch and dinner is quick service.
Thank you for reading this article about visiting Disneyland in the rain and having fun doing it!
We hope you have found this article helpful. For tips on visiting Disneyland in the cold, see How to Stay Warm in the Winter at Disneyland. For a complete guide to planning your Disneyland visit, including advice on what to wear and pack, see Step-by-Step Disneyland Prep. Finally, please consider subscribing to our free newsletter below. Thanks again for reading about staying dry and happy in the rain at Disneyland Resort.