What Do You Do at Magic Kingdom When it Rains?
Our most recent visit to Disney World just happened to be smack dab in the middle of Hurricane Eta. While it ended up not being the complete catastrophe I expected it to be, we definitely had our fair share of downpours that week. And as I was navigating the park with 3 kids in the rain I knew I had to write a post when I got home for anyone who is planning a trip and wondering, “what do you do at Magic Kingdom when it rains?”
The good news is there is still plenty to do and the rain doesn’t have to ruin your vacation!
1. Watch Mickey’s PhilharMagic
I am always so surprised when I hear that people have come all the way to Disney World and not seen this 4D show in Fantasyland. It is one of my favorites! The show itself is about 12 minutes long, but there are some clever posters in the lobby advertising the Concert Hall’s past productions and performers that are worth a look. So you could absolutely kill at least 30 minutes here. So put on your “opera glasses”, sit back, and enjoy the show (from your dry and cozy theater seat).
2. Stop for a Snack
If you packed your own snacks (which I absolutely recommend, along with several other Disney money saving food tips), you can stop at any dry spot you find to take a breather and a snack break. And if not, it’s a great opportunity to find an indoor quick service location and grab a snack you’ve been wanting to try!
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Columbia Harbour House, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, Pinocchio Village Haus, and Tortuga Tavern all offer indoor seating without any kind of reservation.
Tip: In the Covid world we’re currently living in, you’ll have to place a mobile order to enter most of these locations. But that doesn’t mean you need to order an entire meal or anything. Any purchase will get you in the door.
3. Shop for Souvenirs and Treats on Main Street
Did you know that all of the shops along Main Street in Magic Kingdom are connected once you’re inside? You can start at the gift shop at the beginning of the street and walk all the way through to the last store. Which means it’s a great way to casually browse for souvenirs without having to go back outside into the rain!
Now would be a great time to look for one of the souvenirs on this list of The Best Disney World Souvenirs Under $20. Did you know you can get personalized Mickey Ears for under $20!?
4. Visit the Carousel of Progress
The Carousel of Progress is a 21 minute long show in a rotating theater that follows an animatronic family and the technological advances we’ve seen throughout 4 generations. While your kids might not find it as entertaining as you will, it’s something we still make a point to see every time we’re there. It’s a Walt Disney original that has been in the park since 1975 with a theme song that will have you singing for the rest of the day (or more likely the rest of the week).
5. Ride Space Mountain
Space Mountain has a pretty extensive indoor queue so it’s a great way to kill time while staying dry. Plus, you can’t leave Magic Kingdom without riding it. That would just be wrong.
6. Take a Lunch or Dinner Break
If it’s getting close to meal time, take advantage of your time in the rain at Magic Kingdom, and stop to eat lunch or dinner. Even if it’s a little earlier than you planned, you’ll be glad you don’t have to waste the precious sunny skies that are most likely not far behind!
7. Go see the Country Bear Jamboree or Visit The Enchanted Tiki Room
These are 2 of the often overlooked indoor attractions (at least for our family), that you really should see at least once because they are classics! If it’s raining while you’re at Magic Kingdom, why not take advantage of the time indoors and check these off your list?
8. Take a Ride on the Monorail
The Disney Resort Monorail runs on a loop that connects The Grand Floridian, The Polynesian, and the Contemporary. And since the monorail still runs in the rain, it’s actually a really fun rainy day activity. You could even hop off at any of the resorts mentioned above and take a look around, or even grab a bite to eat. Then when the rain stops you’re just a monorail stop away and you can pick up your day right where you left off!
9. Check out the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
This is another one of those often overlooked attractions because people either don’t know it’s there, or they don’t know what it is. The show is interactive which means it’s a little bit different every time, and it always makes for a good time. Plus it’s a solid 15-20 minutes of indoor entertainment you won’t regret.
10. Visit the Hall of Presidents
While this might not sound like the most exciting option, this 25 minute show is still worth seeing in my opinion. The animatronics are pretty impressive, and there’s something really cool about seeing Abraham Lincoln on stage moving and speaking like he’s actually there. Plus, you’ll get to see the current president in animatronic form. (The attraction is currently being refurbished to include President Joe Biden).
The show runs every half hour but there are some pretty interesting artifacts and memorabilia to look at in the lobby, like Bill Clinton’s running shoes. Apparently, he and my husband have similar taste.
11. People Watch!
This is actually one of my favorite activities no matter what the weather looks like! But there’s something especially interesting about how people respond to the rain. Some are decked out head to toe in water proof gear while others seem hardly phased in their sopping wet t-shirts and sneakers.
Me? I look like this.
Final thoughts on Magic Kingdom in the Rain
I’ve mentioned a few rides on this list that I would definitely make a point to visit in the rain, but here’s a complete list of attractions that are undercover!
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Enchanted Tales with Belle
- The Hall of Presidents
- Haunted Mansion
- “it’s a small world”
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Space Mountain
- Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Carousel of Progress
- Enchanted Tiki Room
The moral of the story is, don’t let the rain put a damper on your Disney vacation! There is still so much to do at Magic Kingdom when it rains. What’s your favorite Disney rainy day activity? Let me know in the comments!
More Disney Planning Tips
- Ridiculously Useful Disney Tips from Moms Who Know Disney
- How to Rent DVC Points and Save a Ton on Your Disney Vacation
- The Ultimate List of Free Disney World Souvenirs
- The 10 Things You Need to Buy on Amazon Before Your Disney Vacation
- How to Eat Cheap at Disney World
- 9 Matching Shirts for Families at Disney World
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